The next four years will be a time of great change within the Northshore School District and the School Board Directors we elect will have great influence on how those changes impact our kids. There is a primary on Aug. 4 for one of the director seats.

The Northshore Education Association (NSEA) actively recruited candidates, and tacitly endorsed David Cogan by having him speak at the May 6 teacher walkout rally, calling him “the most important person” at the rally. This was the week before candidates could even file to run. The NSEA has not made public copies of three candidates’ answers to its questionnaire to justify its endorsement, as they have in prior elections. As an NSEA member, I would like to see everyone’s answers.

I have been a leader in parent organizations at four NSD schools, served on multiple NSD committees, advocated on education issues at the local, state, and national levels, and taught in the district. Berta Phillips is the most qualified School Board Candidate I’ve known in all my years of involvement in education. Berta is a strong advocate for students – as a paraeducator in Northshore, leader in school and council PTAs, and on the Washington State School Safety Advisory Committee. She attended Northshore schools, as did her children and now grandchildren. Berta deeply understands the many issues facing our district from different stakeholder perspectives – parent, community member, and employee. More importantly, Berta is not afraid to ask the tough questions, and knows how to research the answers. Berta Phillips is truly an independent voice for all kids. We need Berta on the Northshore School Board.

Nancy Chamberlin, Woodinville