CAMANO: School Board has three seats up for grabs in general election (SCN)

Isabella Loy reports on the November election for the Stanwood Camano News.

The Stanwood Camano News sent the same set of questions to each candidate in local races and gave each of them the same deadline to send in answers.

Why did you decide to run for election?

What are the three biggest issues you hope to address if elected?

How do you hope to contribute to the improvement of the Stanwood-Camano School Board?

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

They Said It

Stanwood-Camano School Board Position 3

Miranda Evans

Why did you decide to run for election?

While I believe we have accomplished a lot in four years, I feel that I have much more insight to give in order to help the Stanwood-Camano School District accomplish even more.

What are the three biggest issues you hope to address if elected?

If reelected, I hope to continue the District’s work in implementing our Strategic Plan that I helped work on with our community.

I will continue to advocate for transparent communication between the district, families, staff and community members. I will continue to advocate for all students to get what they need to thrive and achieve the future of their choosing.

How do you hope to contribute to the improvement of the Stanwood-Camano School Board?

I will continue to advocate for what is best for our students. I will listen to all sides and evaluate all pertinent data and recommendations to make informed decisions that support our students where they are each and every day.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

I have loved being on the School Board over the last four years. I am ready and able to support our students and community as we continue to strive for greatness together.

Brittney Trammell

Trammell did not respond to multiple requests for information from the Stanwood Camano News. She provided information in the Snohomish County voters’ pamphlet.

Her statement reads:

“As an Autistic/ADHD parent of neurodivergent children, I know the challenges parents face as they navigate Individualized Education Plans (IEP), and advocate for their children’s needs. As a former Social Worker, I have knowledge in child safety laws.

More importantly, I understand what it takes to truly advocate for every child, especially the most vulnerable. I understand that safety and adequate support is paramount for students, as well as faculty and staff.

I recognize the many issues and factors contributing to unsafe learning environments in our schools. Issues such as bullying and vaping need to be addressed.

While I recognize the school district is facing budgetary constraints, I believe we can work within the budget to broaden curriculum to include anti-bullying education for students and appropriate training for staff.

I would like to see all faculty and staff receive specialized training to work with students who have disabilities.

Finally, I am passionate about inclusivity. However, I also care about ensuring that Stanwood-Camano Schools provide a first-class education to all of its students. Strong schools build strong communities. I can help make us strong.

Let me be a voice for the children and parents.”

Stanwood-Camano School Board Position 4

Betsy Foster

Why did you decide to run for election?

I am running for the Stanwood-Camano Board of Directors district 4. Our children are our most precious resource. I graduated from the Stanwood-Camano School District in 1979 and received a great education, an education that prepared me to either go to college or learn a trade in a trade school.

I chose college and have a BA in psychology from Western Washington University. In 1981, I was the first woman president of Skagit Vally College since its inception in 1926.

I sat on the college board of directors and these were some of best years of my life. Opportunity and education are the building blocks to one’s success in life.

Learning the basics in school like reading, writing, math, civics, physical education, and/or a foreign language. Most importantly, kids need to learn more about our history, our Bill of Rights & the Constitution of the United States of America.

What are the three biggest issues you hope to address if elected?

Number one, academic success for all of the students. Number two, good stewardship of our tax dollars and accountability for those dollars. Number three, I would like to see transparency in all student activities and a curriculum with more parental involvement.

Lastly, and most critically, is providing safety for the staff and children.

How do you hope to contribute to the improvement of the Stanwood-Camano School Board?

I hope to contribute to all of these endeavors by learning how the current school system is operating. To learn more about the multi-million dollar plus budget and how it is appropriated. We must provide these services to our children and staff. Because our future depends on it.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

Something you may not know about me is I care deeply about the future of our country and how we shape our children’s futures.

I enjoy riding horses and boating when I get an opportunity. I ask for your vote Nov. 7. I may not be the smartest person there, but I will be the most hard-working. Thank you.

Stephen Hendrickson

Hendrickson did not respond to multiple requests for information from the Stanwood Camano News. He provided information in the Snohomish County voters’ pamphlet.

His statement reads:

“My name is Steve Hendrickson, I have been a resident of Stanwood for 20 years. My wife, Melissa, and I have four children in all different phases of life and education. Our oldest son graduated from Lincoln High School in 2021 and has since gone on to join the Marine Corps.

We have two boys at Stanwood Middle School and our daughter attends the ASSIST program at Utsalady Elementary School. I have a desire to serve on the school board to bring a different perspective, one of someone who has worked with the staff and spoken to them about their concerns.

A perspective of someone who is currently involved within the system as a parent and an advocate for their child. A perspective of someone who is also now employed in a neighboring district providing yet more insight.

I believe that we, as a district and community, can hold true to our commitment of empowering students to learn and be prepared for the future whilst also providing the necessary tools and guidance to provide for personal accountability, responsibility, and community or sense of belonging for everyone, all while behaving in a fiscally responsible manner. Thank you for your consideration.”

Stanwood-Camano School Board Position 5

Steve King

Why did you decide to run for election?

To add a vote representing “traditional values.”

What are the three biggest issues you hope to address if elected?

1. Workforce preparation, including school-employer connections, similar to what Raisbeck Aviation High School in south Seattle has with Boeing. Not just with Boeing-Everett, but with a variety of employers. Mentoring (a significant number of Boeing employees live within the SCSD). Internships. “Work experience” (I was a full-time draftsman in an architect’s office for the summer between 9th and 10th grade).
2. Academic excellence, especially in the core subjects. With the exception of a one-year anomaly, in which SCSD’s science score was very low, the scores are not much above the state average. That is far below what they should be.
3. Financial efficiency. In my personal life, I’ve been extremely efficient with my income (public school teacher, then teacher’s pension). In a time of increasing financial pressures on schools, I hope that my aptitude for this can help the SCSD become more efficient.

How do you hope to contribute to the improvement of the Stanwood-Camano School Board?

By personality and aptitude (but not by degree or work experience), I’m an engineer, accountant and scientist. I believe that the board needs more of these perspectives. I’m aware that these three issues are more the responsibility of the administration than of the board.

However, I hope to be part of some working groups to work on specific issues. I’d like for such working groups to include me, an administrator, a teacher, someone from the general community, and a parent or grandparent.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

Over the decades, as I’ve been in leadership positions, I’ve noticed things which need to be improved, and have initiated changes.

Most of this has been in education though I’ve also initiated changes in two international humanitarian organizations. I’m on the board of one, and an unofficial advisor to the president/CEO of another.

Examples: At my college, then the largest two-year college in the US, I substantially raised the standard for Associate degrees, making them more like the standard for Bachelor degrees. Later the entire 160+ school California Community College system adopted the same standard.

Also, I changed the sabbatical leave policy for vocational instructors, encouraging them to return to their vocations to become recurrent, and providing about twice the income as during a regular sabbatical leave. (For more specifics about these examples, see my website, which didn’t become operational until September: King4SCSD.ORG).

Phil Snider

Why did you decide to run for election?

I have two very important reasons for running for a position on the Stanwood-Camano School Board. One of them is in eigth grade, the other in sixth grade. Both are enrolled in the Stanwood-Camano School District, and they are my grandchildren.

They are bright, inquisitive, and well-grounded in the values and standards of their parents and grandparents. Like any other parent, I want the best for them. We have entrusted them to their teachers to be taught in the fundamentals of literacy, mathematical and technical competence, critical thinking, and civic responsibility, to prepare them for success in life.

All the children of this district, not just my grandchildren, deserve quality education, and as I have spoken with voters and members of the community, I find the great majority of them agree. I’m running to see that the children receive the education they need for a secure and productive life.

What are the three biggest issues you hope to address if elected?

There are two major concerns which the Board must address. First is the question of who has authority over the education of our children. National tradition, the US Supreme Court, the hundreds of voters I have met, and I, agree that parents should determine what their children are taught and how.

Second, and related to this, I am concerned that much of that which our children are being taught is designed to divide our community, suggesting that one class or group are inherently responsible for all historic evils and current conflicts of racism.

It serves our children poorly and bodes ill for our future when we approach the issues of diversity, equity and inclusion through the fractured lens of blame and victimhood. The goal of eradicating racism and other despicable biases is far more likely to be achieved by pursuing a united effort to understand and support one another.

How do you hope to contribute to the improvement of the Stanwood-Camano School Board?

As a first-time candidate for school board, I am just learning the board’s policies and procedures and have yet to see things work in practice. What ‘improvements’ I can offer is an open question, but I do have considerable experience writing and negotiating policy, and an ability to persuade disparate groups to work together.

During my 18 years teaching at a technical college, I served many years on the Policies and Procedures Committee, writing policy on the application of state Title IX requirements; on investigating alleged violations of Title IX (sexual harassment) and Title VI (discrimination); on Conflict of Interest, Due Process and other issues.

I also successfully chaired the negotiation of four faculty contracts and served a temporary appointment as special assistant to the president. I know administrative processes and how to gather support to move forward and achieve goals.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

The Stanwood-Camano community, and those who are running for Board positions too, need to understand that Board members have no authority to act as individuals. The Board may act only when a majority of its members (three) agree on an action.

I am hopeful that there will be a majority willing to meaningfully address some of the more controversial issues, but the actions they take will depend heavily on the instructions they receive from the community.

I intend to communicate openly about the Board’s actions and positions, and I encourage parents, voters and community members to respond and let the Board know exactly how you feel and what courses you want them to follow. To represent you, the Board will need to hear from you, by phone, by email, or by attendance at Board meetings. Your opinion is paramount! I urge you to make your voices heard.

On the Ballot in November 2023