EVERETT — At an executive session Tuesday, the Everett Public Schools Board of Directors selected five finalists who could fill a vacant seat on the school board.
The five finalists are Demi Chatters, Jeffery Doan, Anna Marie Jackson Laurence, Curt Lillibridge and Ryan Weber. The board will interview them at a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. May 1. The board will likely vote on which finalist to appoint that day. If approved, the new board member will be sworn in on May 13.
Chatters is the current head of Everett’s planning commission and the chair of the Snohomish County Human Rights Commission. She previously ran for an Everett City Council seat in 2023.
In her application, Chatters said she would prioritize collaboration between schools, protecting student mental health and security, implementing new technology and operating with transparency.
“As a committed, experienced community advocate, I believe in the mission of public education and the duty to protect, preserve, and improve it for children whom I may never know and who may never know me,” Chatters wrote.
Doan is the vice chair of the Mill Creek Parks and Recreation Board and a former executive at Boeing. His background in strategic planning, construction management and project management positions him to support long-term financial planning, infrastructure improvements and future growth in the district, he wrote in his application.
“I aim to leverage my expertise, entrepreneurial mindset, and commitment to community collaboration to help Everett Public Schools remain a leader in educational excellence,” Doan wrote.
Laurence currently serves on the board of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, a Seattle nonprofit. She formerly served as a deputy prosecutor in Snohomish County.
Her priorities, if appointed to the board, include ensuring support for foreign language education, improving math and reading scores and working to prepare for possible losses in federal funding.
“To better develop solutions to these and other issues that the Board faces and will face, I hope to hear from and consult with administrators, principals, teachers, students, parents, and of course school board members,” Lawrence wrote.
Lillibridge previously worked as a CEO in the banking industry. His experience in managing finances, collaborating with diverse groups and solving complex problems would allow him to contribute to the board’s decision making process, he wrote in his application.
“I have a strong understanding of the importance of communication, and I believe that fostering open dialogue among community members, parents, teachers, and students is crucial for creating an environment where everyone can thrive,” Lillibridge wrote.
Weber is the chair of the Delta Neighborhood Association and works as a business analyst. His priorities include developing a sense of belonging for students, expanding the district’s dual language program and putting students on track toward rewarding careers.
“The Everett School District has some of the best teachers in the State of Washington and we need to make sure they have all the support they need to prepare our children for fulfilling careers both through college and in the trades,” Weber wrote in his application.
The board selected the five candidates because their “experience, dedication to education, and commitment to community service stood out,” the district wrote in a release Wednesday.
Caroline Mason, who served on the school board for more than 11 years, resigned on March 11, leaving the seat open. Applications to fill the vacant position were due April 2.
The new board member will serve through December.
Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.
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