ARLINGTON – Lyanne Rolf and Marc Rosson are running for an opening on the Arlington school board.

Rolf did not return our candidate questionnaire, but Rosson’s is featured below.

Name: Marc Rosson

Experience: I have called Arlington home since 1998 when my wife began teaching here. We have two children at Arlington High School who have flourished in the Arlington Public Schools. I have had my finger on the pulse of the APS and state public education system for 20 years. I have experienced the ups and downs and am knowledgeable of where we are heading and the challenges that lie ahead. I am board member and treasurer of the AHS Booster Club. We support and are very involved in the academics, arts, activities and athletics programs at the high school. I have volunteered with my children’s classes and events at all three levels. At the high school I am involved in the performing arts programs and serve as their advertising coordinator. My professional background is in the public sector for the past 19 years, leading information technology departments and long-range planning efforts. Since 2007 I have been the enterprise architect for the Snohomish County PUD #1 and was the CIO for the Seattle Housing Authority from 1998-2007. I have a BS in Computer Science and an MBA from Seattle University.

On what issues do you differ from your opponent? I have a strong financial and public sector background. Our schools are entering a time of dramatic changes associated with how we choose to fund our schools. This will require a board that has a strong business and financial background to understand the options and plot a strategic long-term course that will deliver a thriving system as we stabilize our funding from state and local sources. I’m well- qualified to understand the options and to represent my community input into the decision-making process.

Why should people vote for you rather than your opponent? I deeply care about and am invested in Arlington. I have a history of public service and building consensus. Student achievement is improved when everyone works together. The parents, administration, teachers and students need to be working on common goals that not only help current students, but will lay a foundation for the future. I am passionate about keeping APS on track with our past successes and building on those to ensure a bright future. This will take all of us to be united in the one goal of helping our students graduate and be successful in an ever-challenging world.