Federal Way school board candidates sound off on array of issues

Published 2:02 pm Friday, October 16, 2015

Running for District 2 on the Federal Way Public Schools board of directors are two student achievement-focused candidates: Claire Wilson, the incumbent, who is finishing her first four-year term, and Angela Griffin, a past board director, who served from 2008-2013 in District 4.

Wilson and Griffin debated Wednesday evening at the Federal Way Mirror-hosted candidate debate at the Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club, answering a series of audience-directed questions that covered the hiring of a new school district superintendent, important issues in the school district that need to be addressed, communication with families and building stability in the district.

Wilson and Griffin were asked what significant change has Tammy Campbell, the new superintendent, brought to the school district.

“Dr. Campbell has brought a focus on instruction, quality teaching and student success,” Wilson said.

Wilson said the individualized outcomes for students Campbell is establishing will help with change in student success rates over the next five to 10 years.

Griffin said she is excited for Campbell’s potential to support teachers in the classroom and enriching the learning environment.

“I believe she will provide great support for teachers,” Griffin said.

Griffin said important issues that need to be addressed include paving the way for successful graduation starting at kindergarten and on up to 12th grade.

“There is an opportunity to ensure that there is a successful learning environment,” she added.

Griffin said another important issue that needs to be addressed is embracing the more than 120 languages spoken in the district and learning how to best serve those cultures.

Wilson said important issues include equity, access and opportunity and graduation rates.

“We need to transform our policy and procedures,” Wilson said. “Early learning is critical. Family engagement is important.”

Family engagement was something both Wilson and Griffin pushed for Wednesday night.

“We see families from a diverse group of backgrounds,” Wilson said. “We need to be partnered with parents and to help them to see how they can be the solution.”

Griffin said as an elected board director she would engage families by being visible, being involved in the schools and participating in school-related activities. She said the school district’s ability to recognize the shift in demographics as it occurs and responding to it accordingly is important.

Finally, Griffin and Wilson were asked how they would build stability in the school district.

“The board has hired an excellent superintendent,” Griffin said. “What I will do is ensure that she is clear about the expectations of the board and ensure end goals are being met. I will collaborate with the superintendent and the community.”

Wilson said she is one of five board members. Their job, she said, is to build a cohesive team to provide support to the superintendent. Wilson said there is a continued challenge to building a cohesive team when the board has suffered a 129 percent turnover rate between 2000-2014, as reported in the September 2015 Municipal League Report: School Board Governance in King County.

“I’m the most senior member (on the board) with four years,” Wilson said. “That’s scary to think about.”

Board stability and consistency is critical, Wilson said, in providing support to the superintendent and most importantly, the students of the school district.