WINTHROP, Wash. – The State Board of Education held elections for its five executive committee positions at its September 12-14 meeting in Winthrop. Additional highlights are available here.

The executive committee implements board decisions, provides oversight of the budget, and conducts necessary business, including determining the agenda for board meetings. The Board chair presides at meetings, provides guidance to the executive director of the board, is responsible for the conduct of the board, and is the official voice for the board. Vice chair is available to fulfill any of the duties of the chair if the chair is unable to for any reason.

Kevin Laverty of Mukilteo was elected as the State Board of Education Chair. Laverty has an extensive background in public education, serving on the Central Valley School District and Mukilteo School District boards, the Washington State School Director Association (WSSDA) board of directors, and as WSSDA president. In addition to a 35-year career in public relations, Laverty has been a member of several nonprofit education groups.

Laverty had previously served a two-year term as vice chair of the board beginning in July 2015 after serving as a member-at-large of the board’s executive committee since November 2014. Regarding his election as board chair, Kevin Laverty said, “I am honored by the confidence my fellow board members have placed in me as chair. The Board has shown its commitment to ensuring an equitable, high-quality education that prepares all students for college, career, and life. I look forward to continuing to work together with the Board to realize this goal.”

He will be joined on the Executive Committee by Vice Chair Peter Maier (Seattle), who has served on the Board since May 2013. Maier has served on the Seattle School Board, advocated for education policy issues for many years, and works as an attorney in Seattle.

Executive committee members-at-large carry out duties as requested by the chair. Board members re-elected Janis Avery (Seattle), and new executive committee members MJ Bolt (Spokane Valley) and Patty Wood (Kelso) to one-year member-at-large positions.

###########

About the State Board of Education: The State Board of Education provides advocacy and strategic oversight of public education. The Board comprises 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. For more information on the State Board of Education: www.sbe.wa.gov