My name is Patty Anderson and I am running for School Board Position 4.
I have been a part of this community since 1974. My husband Scott and I truly enjoy living here. I am a mother of 3 and a grandmother of 8. Four of my grandchildren attend school in Cathlamet.
I received my AA degree at Centralia Community College where I was scholarshipped to play both volleyball and basketball, earned my Bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University and have a Masters in Education from the University of Portland. I am a 38 year educator and a 35+year volleyball coach and camp volunteer to kids and young adults ranging from 2nd grade to college.
Being on the School Board the last 4 years has been amazing. The board, schools and students have accomplished some great things. Wahkiakum Schools were one of the only schools able to stay open during COVID. Our bus fleet is being successfully updated on a depreciation scale that offsets the cost of the buses. Our Robotics team not only did well in all of their state competitions, they placed first in the SEAPERCH International Underwater Competition. Wahkiakum High School saw a 100% graduation rate this year. I have also been a part of the lawsuit for our facilities that is now in the Washington State Supreme Court. Our school facilities are in dire condition. The lawsuit is a proactive way to try to repair our schools without the tax burden on Wahkiakum Residents.
Over the course of my 38 years as a teacher, I was a health educator in a middle school. As such, I am very knowledgeable with STATE health standards. As a lifelong conservative focused on and working in public education, I can assure our constituents that I take a conservative view on the sexual education portion of the health curriculum. I can also assure all constituents that Wahkiakum School District has full transparency and parents have the ability to view state standards and how those standards are addressed. For those interested, please contact the school principal to set an appointment. On a separate but somewhat related note, Wahkiakum School District does not, and has not taught CRT (Critical Race Theory).
As head of my department for 25+ years I gained insight and experience in matters of conflict resolution, problem solving and being able to work in partnership with my colleagues.
The school board is the invisible hand working behind the scenes of the School District. Our mandated role is to make decisions that benefit ALL students in continuity with STATE laws. I am an effective School Board member. One who is able to listen, ask questions and make decisions based on the information and what is BEST FOR OUR STUDENTS without prejudice or personal agenda. Board meetings are held the second to last Tuesday of the month in the High School Library. The Agenda is posted on the website. I invite everyone to attend.
