School Board Vacancy

School Board Vacancy
Director District No. 2


Arlington Public Schools Board of Directors’ President, Jim Weiss, resigned his position effective July 14. His company is transferring him out of state and he will no longer be able to serve on the school board.

The Arlington School Board is accepting applications to replace the position of Arlington Public Schools Director District #2, serving the areas of High Cover Park, Cemetery Road, and parts of old town Arlington. State law requires that the remaining school board members appoint a replacement within 90 days. The appointed board member will serve until the next regularly scheduled school board election in fall 2021.

Applications are being accepted from now through Monday, August 17, 2020 at 4:00 pm. Application packets are available here or by request from Julie Davis, Senior Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at [email protected] or 360.618.6202.

The district will utilize the following criteria for the selection of new board members based from the Washington School Board Standards:

Values and Ethical Behavior – Maintains a belief that all students can learn at high levels and places students' needs first. Models high ethical standards. Commits to treating each individual with dignity and respect.

Leadership – Contributes to thoughtful governance discussions and decisions by being well -informed and, open-minded and deliberative. A collaborative team member who understands that the authority rests with the Board as a whole and not with an individual director. Works in collaboration to develop and support the district’s Strategic Plan. Follows through on commitments – with passion, in word and action, for all students.

Professional Development - Willing to commit the time and energy necessary to be informed and competent. Desire to stay abreast of current issues, research, applicable laws, regulations, and policies that affect public education. Supports professional development, individually and with the board/superintendent team.

Equity Focused - Commitment to closing the opportunity and achievement gaps of our students through the development of policies that eliminate systematic disparities and barriers to an inclusive environment

Excellent Communication - Respectful two-way communicator, including skills in active listening, speaking in public, and dialoguing – while maintaining an open-mind.

Accountability - Contributions to school, community, and youth-focused activities; one who consistently operates with integrity and is accountable to the community.

Interviews will be held during an open public Board Meeting on August 24, 2020, with a selection anticipated at the end of that meeting. The new Board member will be sworn in at the September 14 Board meeting and immediately take his/her seat on the Board. If a second round of interviews is needed, the interviews will be conducted during the September 14 open meeting and the new member will be sworn in on September 28.

The Arlington School Board holds regular board meetings on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of most months at 6:00 pm. Board meetings typically end by 8:00-8:30 pm (with additional time for executive sessions, as needed) and take two to three hours of preparation time to review the meeting information. In addition, the Board typically holds three full day workshops and approximately six to eight other evening meetings (study sessions/joint meetings with the city and hospital boards) per year. These sessions provide more opportunity for the board to hold discussion on student achievement, community partnerships, review district goals and progress toward those goals, hear reports, and discuss initiatives or issues. Board representation at special events (dedications and graduations) along with school visits also takes a significant amount of time.

Responsibilities of the Board include, but are not limited to: establishing general policy for the school system; employing school personnel upon recommendation of the superintendent; adopting and revising the annual operating budget; Informing the public of the needs and progress of the educational system; administering school functions; selecting the superintendent of schools.

A candidate must be a registered voter within the Arlington School District and reside in director district 2. The area map and description can be viewed here and verified by calling the Snohomish County Elections office at (425) 388-3444.

For more information, contact the Superintendent’s Office at 360.618.6202 or email [email protected].