Meet Paul Bucich, Sumner School Board Director Candidate

What is your full, legal name? Paul A. Bucich

Where do you work and what is your job title? Parmametrix, Inc. Senior Consultant

Age: 50

Where Were You Born? Lakewood, WA

Where do you live now and  how long have you lived there? We live up by Lake Tapps just down the road from Crestwood Elementary. We moved to this area in 1993 before our son was born and have moved only once - to another house about 5 minutes away from our first one.

Spouse or domestic partner if any: Carol - my wife of almost 20 years.

Children: Son Tyler, Daughter Samantha

Education (include graduation date(s), if any): Bachelors of Science, Civil Engineering from WSU, 1984

Military Service (include year(s) of discharge, if any): N/A

Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations: Member of American Public Works Association (APWA) Member of Sumner Band Parents Association

Have you or a business you owned (or had principal interest in) ever filed bankruptcy? No.

As an adult, have you been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation? No.

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION:

Web site: none

Email address: PBucich@msn.com

Phone number: 253-863-1361

Campaign manager: Me!

Campaign manager contact information:  See above

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S):

Elected: None.

Other campaigns for public office: None.

THIS CAMPAIGN:

What is the primary reason you are running for this office? My children only have a couple of years left in the Sumner School District as they are both at Sumner High. We have seen changes occur in the system over the past 12 years, some for the better, some not.  We plan on living in Sumner for a very long time and believe the quality of the school district directly affects the quality of life in the community.  The recent departure of our School Superintendent came as a shock to many in the District and was the catalist for my candidacy.  I would like to see the Board have more outreach and involvement of the community in the hiring process for the new Superintendent.  I think that most board members have been on the board for many years, running more times than not unopposed.  Turnover leads to new ideas, challenges to old patterns, and opportunities for improvements that may not be heard or proposed otherwise. I believe I have the management skills and leadership skills to help the School District find new ways to improve processes, balance budgetary needs in today's fiscally challenged environment, and improve relations with an increasingly disinfranchaised parent population.

What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why? Improve relationships that have been fractured through the departure of our previous Superintendent. Work with the Board of Directors to establish a transparent and involved public hiring process for the new Superintendent that engages the community, administration, and Board. Work with the new Superintendent and administration to identify measures necessary to improve overall state and federal testing results across the district.

What sets you apart from the other candidates and/or previous office holders? When my wife and I were looking for a home many years ago, our number one priority was the quality of the school district.  We have been fortunate to have both of our children go through the gifted and honors programs and would like to see those and all other programs throughout the district improve.  We still have two children in our district and with my wife on her third year as the Sumner Band Parent Association President, we maintain an active interest in the daily "doings" of the district.  With my company located up on South Hill Puyallup, I have time and interest in meeting with the Superintendent and others and can do so on short notice.

How much money do you expect your campaign to spend on this election? Less than $500.  Primarily on purchase of signs.  I have not done any fund raising and plan on using my personal finances to fund this expense.

Official endorsements: None.