Stanwood Camano School District

Stanwood Camano School District, director, district 2

Charlotte Murry cmurry74@gmail.com

1.     Why are you running for this particular position?

 I am running for office for several reasons.  I come from a long line of family that believes in civic service, growing up around in that environment, it is part of who I am.  I also believe that if you find problems with something, that you should try and be part of the solution, not just complain about it and hope someone else will fix it. I have 3 children that have been through the Stanwood Camano School district; two that have graduated and one that is still at the high school. Over the years, I have seen really great things and some not so great things. When elected, I would like to move our school district forward; giving all students the best opportunities for a successful future and hopefully fix something of the things that are broken along the way. 

2.     What do you hope to accomplish in this position? 

I would like to have a healthier environment for all of our students and teachers to learn and work in. For our students to feel physically and emotionally safe and appreciated for their individual learning styles and our teachers, who are our eyes and ears, to feel comfortable bringing concerns to administration and working together to find the best solutions for all those involved. Today's schools are very different than anything we have seen in history, having to tackle issues that previous generations would have never ever considered; mass shootings, suicide, cyber-bullying, discrimination, etc. The common theme in many of these issues is mental health. It has to be at the forefront.

3.     What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?

I believe we have been compliant in coming up with out of the box solutions to issues, making excuses that we don't have the financial resources or other cop outs.  There are many state & federal grants and other resources in the community that I feel we don't take advantage of that could help us with these shortfalls. 

4.     What relevant experience do you have?

I have worked in many fields over the years.  I have extensive background in information technology, construction, healthcare, finance and accounting. Over the years I have been blessed to be in leadership of groups that got together and solve problems for the likes of Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, Weyerhaeuser, REI and many other organizations in the Puget Sound region. As a member of the Snohomish County Labor Council, I am also very familiar with what it means to bargain in good faith when it comes to our teachers and support staff. As my children have grown, I have been an art docent, PTA member, soccer coach, and the Stanwood High Band Booster President; these experiences have giving me a good insight into our schools and our students. 

5.     What will be your operating philosophy in office?

I have a very strong work ethic and I am very serious about working to find solutions to our school districts issues. Being a school board member is very important and there is a lot at stake for the future of our students, teachers and community.

6.     What message would you like to convey to voters?

I would like the voters to know that I want what is best for our students, teachers and district from an educational and fiscal prospective.  We have a very special multi-generational community full of heritage; where people come back to raise their families. I don't want to lose that. I want to help us build on that and give our students the best education and keys to financial success so they can come back to our area to raise the next generation. 

Keri Maxwell maxwell4510@gmail.com has  withdrawn (per Everett Herald 5-28-19)

Keith Pappas greek31@yahoo.com has withdrawn

Ms Murray is running unopposed, which I did not realize until checking the record. But since she has submitted a response, I thought it only fair to post it.

Stanwood School District, director, district 3

Miranda Evans mevans5426@gmail.com no response  

no information provided to SnoCo sample ballot.

Robert Shelley wobbie@frontier.com withdrawn ( per Everett Herald 5-28-19)

Ms Evans is running unopposed, which I only learned when checking the record.

Stanwood School District, director, district 4

Brett Kinney kinneyb532@gmail.com no response

From SnoCo sample ballot: Elected Experience: PCO Snohomish County LD10

Other Professional Experience: Healthcare Management 10 plus years. Manufacturing Management Industrial and Technology 15 plus years. Business Operations and Human Resource Management 5 years. Small Business Owner and Consultant.

Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology from Western Washington University.

Associate Degree from Everett Community College.

Community Service: Snohomish County Parks and Recreation Advisory Council 4 years, Member and volunteer for Back Country Horsemen of Washington, Local Church Board Member. Volunteer at Warm Beach Camp. Volunteer on several community service projects for

residents. Service project on School Baseball dugout. Leader for Royal Rangers Scouting program.

Statement: My Name is Brett Kinney and I am running for Stanwood Camano School District 4 Board position. As a member of the Stanwood community for the past 24 years, my wife and I have had the privilege to raise our family in this community and for our children to attend the Stanwood schools.

Having a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology from Western Washington University and working in the business community in a management role for over 20 years, I know first hand how a strong balanced academic education prepares students for the future.

Stanwood/Camano we are privileged to have incredible teachers, administrators, and staff at our schools. If Elected, I will work to ensure that they are held to the highest standards, and will make the success of our students my number one priority. I will be an advocate for students and will work to guarantee that they graduate with the skills needed to be successful in whatever career path they choose.

If Elected, I will work to ensure that our schools in Stanwood will build on its successes of the past, with fiscal responsibility equip our Students and Staff with the resources necessary to prepare for the future.

Ken Christoferson, incumbent kenandbarbara@wavecable.com

1. 1. Why are you running for this particular position?

I am running for the position because I believe that public education is the best way to create opportunities for our children. We have made a commitment to provide for those who follow, just as people before us did their best for each of us.

1. 2. What do you hope to accomplish in this position?    

I expect to continue to focus on providing the widest range of programs to suit the full range of student needs.

If an incumbent, what have you accomplished?  Financial  security and support from our voters to allow the building projects and the education programs to have the resources necessary.

1. 3. What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?   

I believe that we will be challenged by the 24 credit graduation requirement.  Some of our programs will have to be creative to meet the new requirements and continue to provide career opportunities.

4.What relevant experience do you have? 

 I have served as a school board director for several terms as well as serving as chair of the facility planning committee for 10 years.  I have served as president of the Stanwood Camano Area Foundation,  the Stanwood Lions Club, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church,  Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association, and serve on the Heat Frost and Insulators Join Apprenticement Committee as well as serving on the Washington State School Directors Association resolution committee for 10 years.

5. 5. What will be your operating philosophy in office?   

I believe that it is important to listen to everyone when they want to convey a message.  I believe that the board is there to set policy and to review the results of the programs and make changes when necessary to make sure our programs and processes are aligned with our stated mission.

 6.What message would you like to convey to voters?  

I will make decisions that are in the best interests of our children and promise to work hard for each of them.

From SnoCo sample ballot: 

Elected Experience: Two terms as Fire Commissioner District 19, 20 years serving as Stanwood Camano School Board Director

Other Professional Experience: President and Owner Stanwood Redi-Mix Inc. Member and past President of Washington Concrete and Aggregates Assoc. Trustee, Joint Apprenticeship Committee for Heat and Frost Insulators.

Education: No information submitted

Community Service: Member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church and current President, Member and past President Fritjov Sons of Norway, Past President of Stanwood Lions Club, Former President of Stanwood Camano Area Foundation.

Statement: Thanks for allowing me to serve on the Stanwood Camano School Board. I live in this community where I grew up. I attended our local schools together with my wife as did my children my grandchildren and also my parents, I am appreciative of the community support and will continue the effort to make every possible opportunity available to our children.

Stanwood Camano residents have always provided needed support by voting to build needed building such as the current projects building a new high school and alternative school, Community members also volunteer countless hours to provide needed support for students. The School Board proposed a ballot issue for the project now underway and promised to make sure all the dollars were well spent. I want to honor that promise and commitment and am asking for your vote.

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It took a while to get information on candidate Kinney. Without more information, I am inclined to opt for the incumbent, who seems at least to have a reasonable understanding of the job. If I voted in the Stanwood Camano School district, I would vote for Ken Christoferson.

Stanwood School District, director at large, position 5

Natalie Hagglund.    incumbent nathagglund@hotmail.com

1. 1. Why are you running for this particular position?

I have enjoyed my term on the school board and believe that I continue to have a valuable perspective.  I am experienced, do my job with integrity, and have relevance for what is happening in our district now. 

2.     What do you hope to accomplish in this position?  If an incumbent, what have you accomplished?

In the time that I have been on the board, eight schools have received awards of recognition, graduation rates and test scores have risen, we have remained financially stable, and are accomplishing wonderful capital projects. Our elementary-aged ASSIST department merged to one location for the benefit of all our students with special needs, we added a behavior program at the middle school level that has been highly successful in getting kids the support needed to manage their classroom time successfully and we have a focus on suicide prevention involving many community partners. The Board implemented an annual Special Board Award to recognize individuals who go above and beyond for our district and we have been able to honor several deserving individuals. I am proud of the work that our District is doing and would like to continue to be part of it.

3. 3. What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?

The School Board is a cooperation. Directors do not act alone; our interaction models the culture and expectations for our district, and we can only take official action when together.

Quite frankly, our district is always changing. We are constantly having to respond to changes in the law, figure out how to pay for new requirements that we don’t receive funding for, and adapt as the needs of our students change. I am glad that our district continues to focus on safety and I would like to see us communicate our plans more clearly with families and our community. I am proud of how many students take advantage of our career/technological education classes and want to continue to make sure we are helping kids find their specific way to succeed. Our staff continues to display their excellence with clean state financial audits, and I want to continue to make decisions that keep us fiscally sound. It is important to me that our employees keep their jobs and we maintain the ability to follow through on everything we have promised to our community.

4.     What relevant experience do you have?

I am completing my first four-year term on the board and have received extensive training through the Washington State School Board Association.

I also grew up in this community. My first job was at Twin City Foods and I began to volunteer in our schools before we even had children. I went on to coordinate MOPS groups, was the PTA President at Twin City Elementary, and am active in the PTO at Port Susan Middle School. Before joining the Board, I was a Classified Substitute Employee for the District. I currently teach Preschool at Our Saviour’s Lutheran and am the Scholarship Coordinator/Executive Assistant for the Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation. I am also a piano accompanist, often playing for our school choirs, and have the privilege of accompanying the Stanwood High Spring Musical. I am the Registrar for Stanwood Lacrosse, a Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor, and volunteer at my church. I am connected to many people in our community and understand our students, parents, staff and neighbors. 

5.What will be your operating philosophy in office?

I am intentional about my work as a board member – I listen and respond to inquiries, read every document that I vote on, am supportive of staff, and participate in our schools. I am currently the only member with children attending school full time in our district. I am in schools often and experience first-hand the same things our families are experiencing. I’m not afraid to ask questions and also like to let people know when things are going well.

5. 6. What message would you like to convey to voters?

We have four positions on the ballot this year - two of them do not have incumbents running. It’s imperative that the other two races keep experienced people on our board. It is also important to vote for people who understand the role of the school board and are not looking to get the position to fulfill their own personal agenda.

I have experience on the board and in our community, I have integrity in my actions and choices, and I am relevant for the here and now. I am a parent of students now, I am active in schools now, I am interacting with families now.

Elected Experience: SCSD School Board Director (elected 2015) – current VP

 Other Professional Experience: Previous: Twin City Foods Personnel Manager, Bank of America, Cedarhome Baptist Treasurer, SCSD Classifi ed Substitute, Coastal Community Bank. Current: Our Saviour’s Lutheran Preschool Teacher, Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation Scholarship Coordinator/Executive Assistant, Piano Accompanist.

 Education: Stanwood HS Alumni; Everett Community College; Northwestern College, Orange City IA; WSSDA Advanced Leadership Certifications

 Community Service: Warm Beach MOPS Coordinator, Cedarhome Baptist MOPS Founder, Church Musician, VBS Volunteer, TCE & PSMS Classroom Volunteer, TCE PTA President (volunteer of the year), Stanwood Lacrosse Registrar, Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor, New SHS Planning Committee, Citizens for Stanwood Camano Schools

 Statement: I am running for Re-Election because I have the experience, integrity and relevance to continue the positive work happening in our schools. I have deep roots in our community as I have lived here for over three decades and worked at numerous local businesses.

I approach my role on the board with integrity; I am always available, quickly respond to community concerns, am willing to listen, and am not afraid to ask questions. I am proud our board is focused on success for every student and fiscal responsibility. I began volunteering at Twin City Elementary before I even had kids. I now have a middle schooler and high schooler and am currently the only board member with children attending school full time in the district, so I understand the perspective of fellow parents. I have the privilege of creating relationships with parents and students at all stages as I teach

preschoolers, volunteer at Port Susan MS, accompany Stanwood HS musicals, and manage our local scholarship program.

Four of the five Director positions are up for election this year. The two incumbents on Camano are not running for re-election; it is imperative that experienced candidates in Stanwood remain on the board.

George P Zeigen gzeigen@yahoo.com www.votezeigen.com

1. Why are you running for this particular position?

I am running for school board because I love our students. I've considered being on the school board for a number of years. Now that I'm retired, I am able to do so. 

Having worked in the school district for 30 years, I feel strongly that our students need a voice in their education and future. Being on the school board will allow me to ask tough questions and get answers. 

I want to ensure we are providing the strongest education along with college and career readiness upon graduation. 

I want to ensure all employees are valued and compensated fairly. 

I want to work with an independent board that is willing to make academic improvements in our district—improvements that will directly benefit students and reach all student populations. 

I want to see the school board go beyond the status quo and look for innovative changes that empower more students to achieve success.

I am running for Position 5 because it is the At-Large position. I’ve worked with students and families throughout the Stanwood-Camano School District for many years, and I feel I am best suited to be the At-Large Director.

2. What do you hope to accomplish in this position? (If an incumbent, what have you accomplished? N/A)

I want to work together with all parties while serving as a voice that puts students first. I want to bridge gaps between the district, staff, and families to ensure students are our first priority.

3. What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?

Residual strife following last year's teacher strike continues to linger in our community .I want to help mend bridges and ask tough questions to ensure contract negotiations in 2021 are done in the spirit of good faith, mutual cooperation, and respect.

I want to push for programs that prepare students for college and careers. US News & World Report rankings (https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/washington/districts/stanwood-camano-school-district/stanwood-high-school-21209) indicate fewer than 13% of Stanwood High School graduates are ready for university. Stanwood-Camano School District has added Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, yet we need to do more to increase the hireability of graduates who are not pursuing a college degree. Changes in Washington state graduation requirements force our children to choose between graduating or getting real-world experience. As a district, we need to respond in a manner that allows our students to do both.

Our five elementary schools are experiencing student population growth at different levels, causing overcrowding in some schools. We need to work with families, schools, and the district to find the best possible solutions for students.

4. What relevant experience do you have?

School board directors should possess a higher education and relevant career experience if that is what we expect from our students. I have a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Washington and over 30 years of experience in education.

I started as a school counselor in Stanwood-Camano School District in 1987 and retired in 2018. During those years, I worked with thousands of students and hundreds of families, dozens of teachers, numerous administrators, and two superintendents. 

My position as counselor at Stanwood Middle School put me in the unique position to directly help students work through challenges, mediate for teachers, and represent the district when tragedies struck families from our community as well as the neighboring communities of Marysville and Oso. These experiences equipped me to overcome challenges and look for unique solutions that provide positive outcomes. 

I have raised children and have eight grandchildren. I care about their future and the future of all our students. My dedication to our students motivates me to hear their voices and to be their voice on the school board.

5. What will be your operating philosophy in office?

Put students first. Do the right thing. Be transparent. 

6. What message would you like to convey to voters?

I am the best candidate for this position because I possess a stronger vision and a relevant educational background, and I am a dedicated advocate for students.

From SnoCo sample ballot: Elected Experience: First-time candidate

Other Professional Experience: I can bring a fresh perspective to the school board. In my 30 years as a counselor at Stanwood Middle School, I supported hundreds of families and thousands of students. I understand the challenges families face.

Education: Master of Social Work, University of Washington. Bachelor of Science, Speech Pathology and Audiology, University of Washington (with two years at WSU!).

Community Service: I’m a proud husband, father, and grandfather of eight. I volunteer at Twin City Elementary and The Caring Place, manage the Davis Carlson Message Board for the Community Resource Center of Stanwood-Camano, and volunteer with the Stanwood Middle School PTO.

Statement: I love my community: the schools, students, teachers, staff, and families. I am committed to making students the top priority. This entails supporting teachers, staff, and families with resources for student academic and developmental success.

I support classroom collaboration time for teachers; standards-based curriculum that allows for discovery and hands-on learning to meet the needs of all students; and offering multiple education paths and career training. Schools with vision create a positive environment and foster equity for all students.

For many years, I’ve considered joining the school board. Now that I’m retired, it is time. As a school board director, I will use my experience to support funding and services for kids—my first priority. I will ask tough questions and demand thorough answers to bring positive change to our students and schools.

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As I have mentioned in other situations (so why is it always with school boards?), I hate having to choose between two good candidates.  I recognize the concern with having an inexperienced school board, but it seems to me that someone who has worked for the district for the last 30 years would at least have some familiarity with the process. With nothing more than the statements above to go on, if I voted in the Stanwood Camano School District, I believe I would vote for George Zeigen.