With the primary elections in full swing, the Bothell Reporter conducted a Q&A with the candidates for Northshore School Board.

In order to better inform citizens about their choices, the Bothell Reporter used same questions for each candidate.

Isaac Parsons is running for District Director position 3 in the 2015 Northshore School District elections.

Since Position 3 has three candidates, there will be a primary election for the position held on Aug. 4.

Reporter: What is your background experience?

Parsons: I have leadership background in service organizations (Kiwanis Club of Northshore) and church leadership (elder board, music ministry, small groups, etc). I have experience with contracts, negotiations and crisis management as a real estate broker, and I have volunteered for the Watchdogs program at Maywood Hills Elementary.

Reporter: What skills or experiences do you believe will help you in the NSD position?

Parsons: I am excellent at helping people and groups bridge the gap of disagreement and come to solutions that benefit everyone involved. I am also experienced and skilled at working with limited budgets to maximize community benefit.

Reporter: What motivated you to run for NSD?

Parsons: I have a strong desire to see the NSD maintain excellence and continue to improve into the future. As a parent of a toddler and soon-to-be first grader, I have a vested interest in the quality of our schools.

Reporter: What made you decide to run / re-run this year versus other years?

Parsons: My oldest child just finished his first year of kindergarten and, while it was an overall great experience, I saw some challenges facing this district and want to lend a hand to improve the education of our children.

Reporter: What issues are you concerned with the most?

Parsons: The overcrowding and shuffling of early elementary students, along with the use of portable classrooms. The majority of my son’s kindergarten class will not be at his school next year. Some of them will change schools again before second grade. It is difficult to establish the necessary relationships and comfort to learn when a young child’s surroundings change every year.

Reporter: What issues do you believe are of importance to NSD parents and students?

Parsons: Safety and equality. No parent should have to fear sending their child to school. While the NSD has been better than many districts in these areas, there is still much room for improvement.

Reporter: Why did you pick this position over other positions, open or otherwise?

Parsons: I have no intention to be a politician, so positions other than my local school board do not have a draw to me.

Reporter: Do you believe the parents of NSD will support you and why?

Parsons: Yes. I am a parent, not seeking a stepping stone to a political career, but wanting to use my skills and abilities to better the quality of education in the Northshore Schools.

Reporter: What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing the NSD?

Parsons: The biggest challenge seems to be trying to stay one step ahead of the changing population and demographics to ensure resources and facilities are best and most effectively utilized.

Reporter: What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming election?

Parsons: I’m looking forward to hearing from the community and parents about what hopes and dreams they have for their children and our schools.