Amanda Brown or Steve Christensen for Pasco School Board? This is our recommendation
Pasco School Board members are to be commended for their proactive approach in creating new voting districts.
Lawsuits alleging that an at-large voting system diluted the Hispanic vote and violated the Washington Voting Rights Act forced the city of Pasco and Franklin County to change their election systems.
So Pasco school directors wisely decided not to wait for a court order. Instead, they went through a lengthy public process to make the changes on their own earlier this year.
That means that all five school board members had to run for office again. Three drew challengers.
We reached out to all of them by email at the beginning of our process, and only three responded. Pasco School Board member Amy Phillips was willing, but was unavailable during the times we could schedule on our end to meet with editorial board members.
As it happens, Pasco School Board member Steve Christensen and challenger Amanda Brown were eager to speak with our board, and reached out to us to make sure they got the chance.
We hope citizens in their district appreciate their willingness to meet with us, and provide voters with more information about themselves than they can get from the Voters’ Pamphlet.
Brown is a Pasco parent and a dual-language elementary school teacher in Kennewick. She is running to bring an in-the-trenches perspective to the school board.
Brown is campaigning hard and talking to people and truly wants to know their concerns. She is a devoted to attending school board meetings and we are sure she would learn the job quickly if elected.
As a challenger, she is very impressive.
When it came to speaking with Christensen, it felt like deju vu. We recommended him a year ago when he ran for office, and said then that his experience is needed as school officials manage the district’s exploding growth.
Christensen has been on the board nine years and notes that he is the only board member whose kids are grown.
While school decisions affect parents and students directly, it’s also important that the taxpayer’s perspective is represented. Christensen fulfills that role.
He didn’t believe in the mask mandate during the height of COVID, but he wore masks to school board meetings and followed the law.
While controversy over state vaccine and social distancing requirements swirled in neighboring school districts, Pasco remained united and free of drama.
Brown definitely has what it takes to be an excellent member of the Pasco School Board, but Christensen has already proven himself.
The Tri-City Herald Editorial Board recommends Steve Christensen for Pasco School Board, District 3.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREBehind Our Election Recommendations
Who decides the recommendations?
Members of The Tri-City Herald editorial board is comprised of experienced opinion journalists and community members, and is separate from The Herald’s newsroom. Conversations are on the record.
What does the recommendation process entail?
Whenever possible, The Herald editorial board meets with opposing candidates at the same time. The questions are largely focused on a candidate’s qualifications and goals. The editorial board then discusses the candidates in each race and decides who to recommend. Board members seek to reach a consensus on our recommendations, but not every decision is unanimous.
Is the editorial board partisan?
No. In making recommendations, members of the editorial board consider which candidates are well prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with us or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, their readiness for office, their depth of knowledge of key issues, their understanding of public policy and their ability to work with the current board . We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points. The editorial board will endorse both Republicans and Democrats.
Why are the editorials unsigned?
Our election recommendations reflect the collective views of The Herald’s editorial board — not just the opinion of one writer. For the 2022 election, the board includes: Cecilia Rexus, Herald editorial writer; Laurie Williams, Herald executive editor; Jack Briggs, retired Herald publisher; Ken Robertson, retired Herald executive director; Matt Taylor, retired Herald editorial writer; Mike Paoli and Martin Valadez, community representatives.
This story was originally published October 29, 2022 at 7:21 AM.