I have heard so many people from North Bend and Fall City say the Snoqualmie Valley School District school board members represent all the children in the Valley. I’ve also been told “We don’t need anyone from Snoqualmie on the school board.”

Are your children going to four different elementary schools? The kids in Snoqualmie are. Do you have a middle school? One that is getting state-wide awards to boot? Snoqualmie’s middle school is being dissolved and we will not have one. The kids in Snoqualmie will be bused to Fall City or North Bend.

Snoqualmie is the fastest growing city in the state of Washington, per the 2010 census. Carolyn Simpson has lived here during that growth. She’s had two kids that have graduated from this district and are now at the University of Washington. She knows firsthand what our district’s needs are. And she’s willing to fix what’s broken.

I read Mr. Popp’s quote, “I believe the city of Snoqualmie leadership is putting property developers first. They need to put children first.” This couldn’t be further from the truth. The Snoqualmie City Council is currently working with the school board. And I can assure you, Snoqualmie is a family-oriented city that puts the needs of our children first.

The current SVSD school board members reside in Fall City, Redmond and North Bend (three from North Bend). Carolyn Simpson will help balance our school board, which will be a benefit to our district and our children.

If you’d like to see some balance on the school board, vote for Carolyn Simpson. I’ve known her for years and have personally worked with her on many projects here in the Valley. She’s done amazing things for our SVSD student’s growth, development and academics. She is the only person from Snoqualmie that is running and will definitely work for the best interest of all the kids in the Valley.

We have an opportunity to have an A+ School Board. I am voting for Simpson and Doy. And trust me—I have done my homework.

Lanice Gillard

Snoqualmie