Kathryn Lerner has resigned from the Snoqualmie Valley School District Board of Directors, citing “personal reasons related my health and family.”
“I am a strong advocate for public education and will at some point return to community service,” Lerner wrote in a letter to the school board.
She served on the board for one year, and received criticism from some community members last summer and fall for remaining on the board after her family decided to send her freshman daughter to Mercer Island rather than Mount Si High School.
Lerner did not immediately respond to a phone call request for comment.
Lerner previously worked on the district’s Facilities Task Force and two school bond election campaigns in 2006 and 2007.
“We appreciate Kathryn’s advocacy for Snoqualmie Valley School District schools and students. Her extensive hours of service, attention to detail, and focus on continuous improvement are to be commended. I have appreciated her support during the past year and wish her the very best in her next endeavor,” Superintendent Joel Aune stated in a release.
Other school board changes
Lerner is the second school board member to resign this academic year. Kristy Sullivan resigned from Director District 5 last October to dedicate more time to promoting healthy youth initiatives statewide.
Also last fall, board member Rudy Edwards announced his plans step down from the board in November of 2009, his 20th year of service.
Edwards represents Director District 1, but upon retiring from his career as a forest ranger, moved into District 2, which is represented by school board member Caroline Loudenback. Policy allows him to serve out the remainder of his term though he no longer resides in the sub-district he represents.
Filling the seat
To fill the vacancy left by Lerner, the Snoqualmie Valley School District is requesting letters of application from interested patrons. Eligible candidates must be registered to vote and reside within Director District 3, which includes Snoqualmie Ridge and surrounding areas.
A map and legal description of Director District 3 are available at the district office at 8001 Silva Avenue S.E.in Snoqualmie, and also on the Snoqualmie Valley School District Web site at www.svsd410.org/districtinfo/board/DirectorDistrictInfo.asp. People may also call Peggy Richter at (425) 831-8007 to verify any address with the King County Elections Division.
Eligible candidates need to file a letter of interest with Aune by noon on Friday, Feb. 6 to be considered for the position. The letter should include a biographical sketch as well as a statement about one’s interest in being a board member. Final candidates for the position will be invited to address the board and answer questions from board members during a special public meeting tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 12. The board plans to appoint a candidate by the end of February.
