Lerner to resign from school board
January 12, 2009
By Laura Geggel
After a year of service, Kathryn Lerner has resigned from the Snoqualmie Valley School Board. Lerner, the vice president of the board, announced her decision Jan. 5, citing both professional and personal reasons for leaving.
“In large part, it’s just the personal demand on my time. There is a lot going on in the school district and the community right now,” Lerner said. “I certainly took my role very seriously and put in a lot of hours every week trying to move things forward. I’m frankly exhausted.”
Lerner served District No. 3 and represented part of Snoqualmie and Fall City.
“We appreciate Kathryn’s advocacy for Snoqualmie Valley schools and students,” said Superintendent Joel Aune. “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.”
The school board is expected to accept Lerner’s resignation at its next meeting, which will be held in the district office at 8001 Silva Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22.
Lerner began her work with the Snoqualmie Valley district as a volunteer with the Facilities Task Force in 2006. She helped campaign for the first two bonds in 2007, before serving on the school board in 2008.
During her time on the task force, Lerner said she enjoyed the “positive energy created around engaging the community. It felt good.”
Yet, several factors made serving on the board difficult for Lerner.
“There’s a culture where I don’t feel we really embrace diversity of opinion very well,” Lerner said, adding “too much is handled out of the public eye.”
She used the school board’s approval of the most recent bond proposal as an example.
Lerner abstained from voting for or against the $27.5 million bond for school building upgrades and repairs. Lerner said she wanted more dialogue between the board and the community, before voting on the bond resolution.
“I feel like — at least amongst my peers in the board — I’m kind of in the minority and that I’m kind of pushing the boulder up the hill,” Lerner said.
In her resignation letter, Lerner references several PTSA members, two Mount Si employees and community members “all of whom have expressed concern at the lack of support for this proposal and have asked good questions that you should consider before submitting a bond to voters.”
She encouraged the board to reexamine the bond, writing, “It is not too late to revisit your decision and take a different course of action that will garner the necessary support at the polls.”
Factors in her personal life also influenced Lerner’s decision to resign. Her husband got promoted and started traveling more for his job. In addition, her older daughter transferred to Mercer Island High School, prompting Lerner to drive her to school every day.
“It changed our family dynamic and lifestyle,” Lerner said. “I’m kind of exhausted from the time demand.”
Two members of the community criticized Lerner for sending her daughter out of district at a board meeting in October, but Lerner defended the decision saying, “Not all schools are right for all kids. I care deeply about every child in this district.”
After she submitted her letter of resignation, Lerner complimented Snoqualmie Valley School District, but said there was much that could be improved.
“I think we have fantastic teachers in the buildings — great parents, great students,” Lerner said. “My focus of concern is directed at a relatively small group of people. I’m not sure they’re the right fit for what we have in front of us right now.
“Someone else with a freshly charged battery will be able to stand up and step in to help move the district forward,” Lerner said.
Lerner is the second school board member to resign within a four-month period. Sullivan, a 12-year veteran of the board, resigned in October.
Filling the Seat
People interested in filling the board seat for District No. 3 must be registered to vote within Snoqualmie or Fall City. A map and legal description of the district are available at the district office and the Web site at http://www.svsd410.org/districtinfo/board/DirectorDistrictInfo.asp.
Administrative assistant Peggy Richter can also verify addresses with the King County Elections Division. Call Richter at 831-8007 to learn more.
Eligible candidates must file a letter of interest that includes a biographical sketch and why they are interested in the board member position. The letter should be filed with Superintendent Joel Aune at mailing address 8001 Silva Ave S.E., P.O. Box 400, Snoqualmie, WA 98065 by 12 p.m. Feb. 6.
Finalists for the position will be invited to address the board and answer questions from the board during a public meeting, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 12.
The board hopes to select and officially appoint a candidate by the end of February.
Whoever is appointed for the position will have to run again in November 2009 and 2012 to keep the seat.
Reach reporter Laura Geggel at 392-6434 .221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com.
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