Release Date:
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The State Board of Education welcomes three new voting board members, and a new student representative member.
Dr. Deborah Wilds, of Renton, Washington, was appointed to a 4-year term by Governor Jay Inslee. She is currently President and Chief Operating Officer of the College Success Foundation, which provides a continuum of supports designed to help underserved, low-income students finish high school and pursue post-secondary education. Dr. Wilds serves on the University of Washington-Bothell Advisory Board, and the Seattle University Board of Regents. She holds a Ph.D. in education policy, planning, and administration from the University of Maryland at College Park, a master's degree in education administration from Howard University and a bachelor's degree from the California State University, San Diego.
Mrs. Isabel Muñoz-Colón, of Tacoma, Washington, was also appointed by Governor Inslee. She is currently a Policy Advisor for the City of Seattle’s Office of Education, where she also co-chairs the English Language Learner working group for the South King County Roadmap Project. She has worked at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction as the Director of Financial Policy and Research, where she was lead staff to the Quality Educational Council. Mrs. Muñoz-Colón has a master’s degree from the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame.
Peter Maier, J.D., of Seattle, Washington, was appointed by the elected members of the Board to serve out the remainder of a term that expires in January 2014. The seat was previously held by Tre Maxie, who now holds an appointed seat on the Board. For more than 30 years, Mr. Maier has served his community through PTSA projects, chairing two successful Seattle school levy campaigns, and serving on the Seattle School Board. He is currently the Treasurer of the Schools First Levy campaign. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School in 1981 and his bachelor of arts in economics from Oberlin College in 1974. Peter Maier has run a successful law firm since 1981.
Mara Childs, of Shoreline, was selected as a student representative to a term that expires May 2015. She is a sophomore at Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, Washington. Mara was just re-elected to be a class senator, and is also the new Key Club President. She also participates in varsity girls swimming, varsity girls’ water polo, the Shoreline/LFP Youth Court, the Chansons Vocal Ensemble, the Viva Voce Chorale, and the Shorecrest Chapter of the National Honors Society.
Board Chairman Jeff Vincent welcomed the members. "These members bring a fresh perspective to solving the achievement gaps that exist in our public schools,” Vincent said.
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Contact: Linda Drake, Senior Policy Analyst
About the State Board of Education: The State Board of Education provides advocacy and strategic oversight of public education. The board is comprised of 16 members: five are elected by school board directors, seven are appointed by the Governor, two serve as student representatives, and one serves as a private school representative. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is also a member.