I’ll be honest. I don’t always pay attention to school board races. But this year I am very impressed with Anita Damjanovic, who is running for the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) board. A mother of two small children, Anita brings more than 13 years of experience as a teacher to the school board, as well as a recently completed doctorate from the University of Chicago. (She’s basically the PTSA in one person!)

What impresses me even more, is that Anita recognizes the challenges facing our students. Anita knows how a shortage of nurses and school bus drivers is negatively impacting our kids, and how woefully unprepared our schools are for a possible earthquake. As a teacher, she sees the unmet need for free and reduced school lunches, and understands how inadequate nutrition affects learning.

Anita would bring fresh ideas to the school board. She recognizes the importance of STEM learning, in a very tech-oriented area, but also knows the huge benefits to developing minds, of arts and language education. Anita is willing to think outside of the box, from looking at how homework for elementary school students may be counterproductive, to why a later school start time would benefit teenagers.

Finally, Anita respects the rich diversity of the student body in the LWSD, and would promote a safe and inclusive learning environment in our schools. She has a deep commitment to ALL of the children in our school system, and to ensuring that students at every level receive a curriculum tailored their individual needs and goals.

Anita Damjanovic has been endorsed by both the Lake Washington Education Association AND the Washington Education Association. If you value experience, education and innovative thinking, vote for Anita!

Chris Rilling

Kirkland