My campaign focuses on experience and commitment.

In 33 years of teaching at Vashon Island High School, I experienced how decisions made by the local School Board and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction impact the classroom, our students, and staff.

As negotiator for the Vashon Education Association, as well as serving as its president, I have experience analyzing the budget and expenditure of our school district and comparing it to other districts in the area.

I believe that it is important to have a member on the school board who understands how theoretical policy translates to pragmatic outcomes in the classroom.

Education is the bedrock of our society. Public education should be funded to reflect the best education for our students. In Washington state, the legislation funds a substandard education. This puts the financial burden of making up the difference on the local schools. This is inherently unfair. I will work with those groups who are dedicated to changing this.

In the meantime, I will listen and learn from staff, students, and parents to strive for the best education our current finances can provide. I am painfully aware of how our inadequate funding affects student learning. As our society changes, we must be flexible, creative, and responsive, rather than reactive.

We also need to be pragmatic and realistic about short and long-term decisions. I will work hard and do my best to achieve these goals.

As a former member of the board of Partners in Education, I know how dedicated all of you are to providing support for our schools. Not only do you pay taxes, but you contribute your time and money to enrich the education of our children. Thank you for your commitment.

I intend to honor your commitment to supporting our schools by working with my fellow school directors to ensure the school board is a deliberative, effective, governing institution.

Because I am retired, I can make the commitment that I will spend much of my time working for our island schools. I will do the needed research, attend the conferences, and go to Olympia to advocate for us.

I am privileged to be endorsed by the Washington Education Association, the Vashon Education Association, the Vashon Education Support Personnel Association, and the National Women’s Political Caucus.

A meet-the-candidate event is scheduled for October 14 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please email me at woodard.tita@gmail.com if you wish to attend.

Martha Woodard is a candidate for Vashon School Board Director Position #3.