Meet Jeff DeMarre, Sumner School Board Director Candidate

What is your full, legal name? Jeffrey W. DeMarre 

Where do you work and what is your job title? Sound Transit - Regional Transit Authority Senior Systems Engineer and Systems Program Manager for South Link

Age: 58

Where Were You Born? Seattle

Where do you live now and  how long have you lived there? Lake Tapps - 31 years

Spouse or domestic partner if any: Married to Wife Millie for 36 years

Children: Ryan, Tyler and Brittany Grandchildren: Amanda, Preston, Emily and Maxwell

Education (include graduation date(s), if any): Bachelor Science Electrical Engineering, University of Washington, School of Engineering, 1980

Military Service (include year(s) of discharge, if any): None

Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations: International Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE-since 1977)

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: demarrejm@hotmail.com
Phone number: 253-862-4445
Campaign manager: Jeff and Millie DeMarre
Campaign manager contact information: Same as above

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S):

Elected: Sumner School Board, Director Position No. 2, 1999, 2003, and  2007

Other campaigns for public office: None

THIS CAMPAIGN:

What is the primary reason you are running for this office? I have been very involved with my children's education and I want to continue this for the benefit of my children's children and all the students in the district. My goal is to continue working with the district, the teachers and parents, helping us all to move together in a positive direction despite the cutbacks in state funding. As a member of the community for 31 years, I have been active in our schools and the larger community.I served for several years as co-President with wife Millie,of our daughter's school PTA and charied the Lakeridge Middle School Hawkshun, prior to my service on the School Board. 
 
As a member of the Board, I have contributed to our children's future in so many incredible ways, but ther is much more we can do to keep Sumner School District a great place to learn. During my tenure on the board I can proudly say we are on the right track and we are providing a positive future for our students. We have increased rigor for students, provided opportunities for enrichment through the expansion of Honors and Advanced Placement classes and established the International Baccalaurate Programme. 

I am excited to be a part of making a positive difference in our school community over the next four years.
 
What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why?

(1) Hiring and retaining the best teachers possible while supporting the important work teachers are doing in Professional Learning Communities, improving student learning through collaboration and sharing best practices.

(2) Carefully monitoring of our district's budget, while continuing to work through the challenges we face with state budget cuts so that every dollar spent benefits kids in the classroom while providing teachers the resources necessary to increase student achievement

(3) Selecting a highly qualified individual to serve as the district's future Superintendent, while ensuring the process includes input from all members of our community.

What sets you apart from the other candidates and/or previous office holders? My own experiences in the District as a board member and a parent and a grandparent make me the ideal candidate to represent the best interests of our kids, our families and the greater community. Our school board should represent and reflect our entire community to ensure equity of voice and perspectives of many.

I offer technical expertise to assist District administrators in developing and implementing the most cost-efficient Capital Improvements plan. This important investment in our schools, valued at $114 million, is for much-needed capital repairs and to improve student learning through technology enhancements. I have the background, work experience and education to evaluate the projects and ensure that taxpayers in our community are getting the best value for their dollar. Have worked toward and approved the efforts to increase infrastructure hardware and software through the Technology Funding Plan, which provides increased resources to principals, teachers, students, parents and staff.

This year I was the Board representative on a committee to find a successful solution for continued operations of the District swimming pool. In addition to identifying a business partner, I reviewed the mechanical systems and utilities metering at the pool as part of the process. I am proud the pool has remained open with continued community access.

How much money do you expect your campaign to spend on this election? I expect to spend around $600, which is almost entirely related to signs.