By Eric Stevick
Herald Writer
The two races for the Everett School Board have been exercises in civility.
There’s no incumbent bashing, just a hope among the challengers to get their chance to serve the narrow, 15-mile-long district of 24 schools and 18,000 students.
Incumbent Paul Roberts faces Ramona Pittsenbarger for Position 1, while incumbent Roy Yates shares the ballot with Bill Grace for Position 2.
The Everett School District is one of few districts in the state with six-year terms. School board members earn $50 a meeting.
The general election is Nov. 6.
Your eyes aren’t deceiving you: The ballot entry for Position 1 is the same as in 1999. Pittsenbarger and Roberts advanced through a primary election two years ago with Roberts winning in the general election.
Both candidates support the push for higher learning standards, although Pittsenbarger said she has reservations about using the state’s Washington Assessment of Student Learning exam as a graduation requirement.
Roberts, 49, director of planning and community development for the city of Everett, said his background in demographics, planning, budget and management brings significant skills to the school board.
Roberts said he played a role in the board’s decision not to hire a consultant to search for a superintendent, and that he is pleased with its choice of Carol Whitehead.
Paul Roberts |
"We needed someone with experience with the requirements of Washington education," Roberts said.
Pittsenbarger, 33, said her motivation to run comes largely from the time she spends in the classroom in the parent cooperative at Lowell Elementary School.
"It gives you hope for the future when you see young people doing what they should," Pittsenbarger said.
Pittsenbarger would like to see more "choice" programs, such as the parent cooperative, where families can match their children’s needs to a learning environment.
Prediction: The winner will bring a strong financial background to the school board.
Yates, who has served 12 years on the school board, is a banker; Grace is a financial consultant licensed on major stock exchanges who has sold school bonds.
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Roy Yates |
Yates, 62, played a role in developing bond measures that paid for six new schools, and renovations and improvements to several more. In recent years, the attention has increasingly shifted dramatically from bricks and mortar to student achievement.
He believes progress is being made.
"I think the biggest challenge is just staying the course," Yates said. "I think we have the people on board. I think we all understand the things we have to do to make things better. We just have to see it through."
Everett has been among the leaders across the state in requiring senior projects for its graduates, Yates said. The exhibitions will eventually become a state requirement.
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Bill Grace |
Grace, 48, will quote Abraham Lincoln about the importance of education. His time as a volunteer math and reading tutor at the Snohomish County Jail galvanizes his resolve to promote and improve education.
Grace said he has made a point to talk with administrators at different schools to learn their needs. It’s an important exercise "because it varies from school to school," he said.
The challenger also emphasized the importance of accessibility.
"I will be a tireless advocate to meet anybody who will be willing to enrich our schools," he said.
You can call Herald Writer Eric Stevick at 425-339-3446
or send e-mail to stevick@heraldnet.com.
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