Richland School Board member steps down. Here’s how to apply
The Richland School Board is accepting applications to fill the position of Chelsie Beck, who stepped down at the end of August.
Beck moved out of the district for a new job.
Beck, a former scientist and chemist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, stepped into the position during the recall of several school board members who challenged the state’s COVID mask mandate.
The mother of two Richland students ran for election in 2023 and won, replacing former school board member Semi Bird, who instead opted to run for governor the following year. Her term is set to expire November 2027.
“I think she’s been a wonderful board member,” said Richland School Board President Katrina Waters. “It’s been really great having her perspective in our group, shared with us with her kids in the schools, and her generational perspective which is different than some of ours.”
The online application form opened noon on Wednesday. It will be open for four weeks, with a deadline set for noon Oct. 8.
To be eligible, candidates must be a registered voter and live within the Richland School District boundaries.
The primary responsibilities of a school board member include hiring and evaluating the superintendent, setting the vision and goals of the district, reviewing and adopting school policies, passing school year budgets and serving as a community representative. This is an unpaid elected position
The Richland School District oversees the education of more than 14,000 K-12 students and employs nearly 1,700 teachers and staff across about two dozen elementary, secondary and choice schools.
The school board plans to review applications at a closed-door executive session set for 5 p.m. Oct. 14.
At 6:30 p.m., the four board members will come out of executive session to announce the applicants selected for interviews.
The school board will host public interviews 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Afterward, the board will deliberate and potentially announced a decision.
The new school board member will be sworn in at the Oct. 28 school board meeting.
