When Melissa ‘Mel’ Hartley visited a fifth-grade class recently and told the students she was a school board member from District 3, the students were intrigued. “I had to explain that District 3 had no relation to The Hunger Games,” she laughs. That clarified, Hartley spent the morning reading with the class and describing her role on the board of North Thurston Public Schools. “They asked a lot of great questions,” she says. “They weren’t nearly as tough an audience as I had expected.”
Such visits are part of her role, which combines strategic planning and fiscal oversight with community outreach. At heart, board membership is about service, according to NTPS Superintendent Deb Clemens. “It’s not just showing up for meetings and approving budgets,” she says. “There’s a bigger role of connecting with the broader community and its leaders. Our board is engaged outside of board meetings several times a month, whether it’s attending a chamber event or reading with our students.”
NTPS maintains strong connections to the larger community through programs like Partners in Education, which brings schools and businesses together through volunteering and student support activities. In an unusual move, the board also has two joint meetings every year with the City of Lacey. “Sometimes, people ask, ‘Why would you do that?’” says Board President Graeme Sackrison. “We have a good working relationship with the city.”
One result: the city and the Lacey Chamber of Commerce joined NTPS in declaring Lacey a Compassionate Community, one that follows the principles of the International Charter for Compassion. The declaration is more than just words. For students struggling with basic needs, the district offers (thanks to community partnerships food backpack programs and a clean laundry program as well as an innovative collaboration with the Lacey Food Bank. “The new food bank will bein an area of our district with the highest number of kids who meet the guidelines for free and reduced lunch,” says Hartley.
Serving alongside Hartley and Sackrison are David Newkirk, veteran member Chuck Namit and newcomer Gretchen Maliska. Students also serve as advisors to the Board of the Directors. While non-voting members, the four students representing each of the NTPS high schools serve 2 at a time per semester. Student Advisors for 2017-18 include Shane Pierson, Skyla Stansbury, Stacey Hines and Maria Caba.
All of the adult board members have children who attend or have attended North Thurston Public Schools, making it easier for them to relate to parent concerns and experiences. Newkirk, Sackrison and Hartley are all military veterans as well.
Having traveled extensively with the U.S. military, Hartley believes the degree of commitment in Lacey is uncommon. “I’ve lived all over the country and there are some places that have not invested in their schools,” she says. “The level of collaboration here is fantastic. It’s not just parents who are concerned about these issues. It’s the greater community.”
Sackrison agrees, noting that his perception of NTPS has changed since he joined the board. “Many people think of the district in terms of the school their children go to or the one nearest their home,” he says. “It’s actually an immense, complex business. If you take out state government, we’re the largest employer in the county and we serve close to 10,000 meals a day.”
Sackrison had been involved with the district previously as a member of the Lacey City Council and through his participation with Lacey Loves to Read. He’s always enjoyed public service, so when the opportunity arose to run unopposed for his seat, he took it. “In my family we have four generations who’ve attended North Thurston Public Schools,” he says. “We have a strong connection.”
In contrast, Hartley threw her name in the ring against 13 other applicants for the appointment to a mid-term open seat. She was drawn to the board through a passion for education. “My parents and one of my siblings are teachers,” she says. “I had a legal career and eventually taught medical law. I’ve always volunteered at the schools my kids attended and I thought I could do more on a global level.”
Aside from working closely with the city, local businesses and community groups, the board also invites participation in key decisions. While developing a five-year strategic plan, they solicited feedback from students, teachers, parents and the community. “Everybody had an opportunity to give input,” says Hartley. “The process gave a sense of ownership and we’ve heard good things from students and parents about the plan.” Student advisors from the district’s four high schools also attend board meetings and provide input on District business.
The board is also responsible for fiscal oversight and making sure the district hits specific targets. “There’s an accountability in place,” says Clemens. “We provide regular updates to the School Board on our Strategic Plan outcomes; the Board is responsible for making sure the district is making continuous progress on our goals for students.”
Though the volunteer role involves essential but sometimes mundane tasks like creating policy, Sackrison and Hartley find inspiration in students and the programs that support them. “I’m really interested in Career and Technical Education (CTE),” says Sackrison. “Sometimes the public thinks nobody teaches shop class anymore, but we have a pretty robust set of CTE classes aimed at giving students the skills that serves students after graduation. For example, our auto shop program wins awards year after year.”
At last year’s South Sound High School commencement ceremony, Hartley was asked to hand out diplomas, an experience she wasn’t expecting but found inspiring. “All of the graduations are touching, but South Sound is very small and a lot of students there have had to overcome significant challenges,” she says. “Hearing the stories of those who have made it was very moving and inspiring. It reminded me of how decisions we make as a School Board impact each individual child.”
To learn more about North Thurston Public Schools, visit the district’s website or call 360-412- 4400.
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