Learn about the role of a school board director and get information about the three Olympia School Board seats up for election in the November 2019 General Election during a community meeting on Wednesday, March 13.

People interested in vying for a seat on the school board, as well as those who want to learn more about the role, are encouraged to attend the meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Knox Administrative Center Board Room, 1113 Legion Way S.E. in Olympia.

Superintendent Patrick Murphy will share opening remarks, followed by guest speaker Colleen Miller, director of leadership development with the Washington State School Directors Association. Miller will explain about the role and responsibilities of a school board member. Her presentation will be followed by remarks by Olympia School Board Vice President Scott Clifthorne and former veteran school board member Eileen Thomson.

There will be three Olympia School Board director seats on the November 5, 2019 General Election ballot:

• Director District #1, currently held by Frank Wilson; 4-year term.
• Director District #2, currently held by Joellen Wilhelm; 4-year term.
• Director District #4, currently held by Hilary Seidel; 4-year term.

People interested in vying for a seat on the board may mail, drop off in person or submit their application online to the Thurston County Auditor’s Office Elections Division. The Elections Division will begin accepting candidate filings by mail on April 29, 2019 and they must arrive at the elections office no later than May 17. Candidates may also fill out and submit an application online during candidate filing week May 13-17, 2019.

For more information about filing for an open seat on the school board, visit the Thurston County Auditor’s Office Elections Division website. Candidates must be at least 18 years old, reside in the district for which they are filing and be a registered voter at the time of filing. There are some judicial exceptions; for more information, contact Thurston County Auditor’s Office Elections Division at (360) 786-5408.

A Primary Election will be held on August 6, 2019, followed by the General Election on November 5, 2019.

Maps of the district’s five director districts will be on display during the March 13 community meeting. Copies of the maps, including an interactive map in which community members can type in their address to find their director district, are also available on the school district website.