ARLINGTON- Mary Leveque and Mike Ray, two political newcomers with sound financial backgrounds, were sworn in as new board members during the Dec. 9 Arlington Public Schools board meeting.
Leveque represents district area 4, which includes parts of downtown Arlington and Gleneagle. Ray represents district area 1 which includes Arlington Heights and Oso. Leveque replaces Kay Duskin and Ray replaces Jeff Huleatt.
Leveque is a former Washington State PTA board member and currently serves on the Arlington PTA Council, Kent Prairie Elementary PTA, Post Middle School PTSA, the Advisory Council for Education, Arlington Education Foundation, and Crown Ridge Estates HOA. She will be stepping down from those positions in her new elected board position.
She has three children who attend school in Arlington and three who have graduated from the district.
The 1993 Mountlake Terrace High School graduate and self-proclaimed trombone-playing band geek and her family moved to Arlington in 2005, raising six children, three of whom have graduated from Arlington High School so far.
She said her longtime volunteerism in the schools and community has led her to focus on special education, social and emotional health, and the safety of students and teachers.
“I want to strengthen special education, connect with the community and increase access to mental health care for students,” said Leveque, who works in patient accounts at Cascade Valley Hospital.
She supports conservative taxes, sustainable planning of the district’s resources, transparency and responsible growth.
“I want to see all students succeed,” Leveque said. “When our students are engaged and thriving, then our entire community benefits.”
Ray graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He has served on the Advisory Council for Education and currently serves on the district’s Facilities Advisory Committee. He has two children who attend school in Arlington.
“My financial background, and commitment to our community will allow me to serve you as one of your directors,” Ray said.
Superintendent Chrys Sweeting welcomed the enthusiastic new members to the board.
“Through their years of experience serving on the Advisory Council for Education, they have a good understanding of how the district operates,” Sweeting said. “Their passion for student success will make them great advocates for each student in Arlington.”
Director Jim Weiss was also sworn in for another four-year term and was elected as president.
