MONROE — Jeremiah Campbell, Crystal Blakely, Tiana Armstrong and Roy Sherrill are the four candidates who filed for the Monroe school board director of district 1. Campbell is the incumbent running for another term.
Armstrong and Sherrill have withdrawn their campaigns, but their names are still on primary ballots.
Armstrong withdrew in early July, confirming on her Facebook campaign page she cannot continue. Susan Renhard from the League of Women Voters of Snohomish County said Sherrill has withdrawn from the race.
The Tribune attempted to contact Sherrill and Armstrong to directly confirm their withdrawal, but no response was received.
Ballots are due Aug. 1. Blakely and Campbell both responded to the Tribune’s questions:
What motivates you to run for this position?
Campbell: I am a parent with 2 children in the Monroe School District. I feel that I bring an important perspective having worked as an educator for nearly the last 2 decades. I have also served on the board in this position since January 2021. I walked into a difficult time in MSD and have been working diligently to help bring it back to a place of health. We have made many strides and I want to see that work continue.
Blakely: My family and community are what motivates me to run for the school board. Living and volunteering in the Monroe School District for the last six years has now motivated me to take the next step in my participation in how policies are set.
What type of impact do you want to bring to this community? What are the top needs of the school district?
Campbell: I want ALL students in MSD to feel safe and have access to rigorous curriculum that challenges them to be critical thinkers and grow to become productive members of society. Our top needs in the district are development of a strategic plan, and continued development of Professional Learning Communities for teachers to collaborate on curriculum, student success, and closing gaps for multi-lingual learners and students with difficult situations. The great part is that we are already starting that work.
Blakely: I want to be a positive impact in my community by helping it take more steps toward a more inclusive and welcoming district. Our top need as a district is DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), we need to start at the top and work our way down with better training and guidance.
How will you address the different needs of all students?
Campbell: Every student is unique. Addressing those needs comes with collaborating with the teachers, counselors, para-educators, and all the staff who work with those students. Some are ready for advanced challenges; others need more time and specialized care. When we work as a team based on a strategic plan, we can continue to refine the existing pathways for all students to find success.
Blakely: I will address the needs of all students by listening and opening clear and transparent communication between the school board and community. There are lots of different needs and the school board needs to seek out the ones that are under-recognized and have been disregarded for being different or making waves.
Why should voters support your campaign?
Campbell: I am not politically motivated for this position. I genuinely care for student safety and success. I have worked over the past 2 ½ years in this board position to help our district find healing and unity in a very divisive time. With so many difficult situations behind us our district is now beginning to gain so much traction to move forward for students.
Blakely: Voters should support my campaign because my goal is to support them. This district is crying out for transparency and inclusion and as a member of this community I want to work along side the voters and make the district better.
