LAKE WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 3: Nancy Phillips Bernard

• Age: 53

• Marital status: Married

• Children: Two

• Education: Master of Public Health, Tulane U. School of PH and Tropical Medicine; Bachelor's degree, Environmental Health, University of Washington;

Bachelor's degree, Health Education, University of Washington

• Occupation: Washington State Dept. of Health, Indoor Air Quality and School Environmental Health and Safety Program Manager

• Campaign Web site: none

• Campaign e-mail: none

• Top 3 endorsements: none (I’m not running a campaign).

• What is your opinion of Superintendent Chip Kimball's hope to change the configuration of LWSD schools to create four-year high schools?

I have strongly advocated for Lake Washington School District (LWSD) moving to four-year high schools. Ninth grade is part of high school, with courses and grades counting toward graduation and college admission requirements. Transitions are difficult for people in general, and especially for children. It is more difficult for students to make the “high school” transition and realize that their course selection and grades will impact their college opportunities, while still in a junior high environment. I also believe, that by moving ninth grade, with its high school requirements, our new middle schools (sixth, seventh, and eighth grades), will be stronger. Middle schools can focus on reducing the number of students each teacher has, increase personalization, and increase academic rigor.

• How would you convince taxpayers, especially those who don't have current or future students in the LWSD, that it is worth spending money for improvements/expansion projects to coincide with the district's growing enrollment?

We are not necessarily asking for an increase in spending to accommodate improvements or expansion. We are going through a public process to assess the interests of our community. The cost of building a new high school would be offset by the decrease in need for more elementary schools. I strongly believe that all our citizens have an interest in seeing our children well-educated and able to be productive citizens. Children are, as always, our future. Whether we are parents, grandparents, employers, customers, or co-workers, we all benefit from an excellent and efficient education system that promotes academic rigor and success for all students. The Mission of the LWSD is to see that “each student will graduate prepared to lead a rewarding, responsible life as a contributing member of our community and greater society.” I believe that is worth the investment of our community. The LWSD has shown itself to be fiscally responsible and responsive to the needs and interest of our community. We welcome participation by the community in the decision processes and have moved in the last few years to making input available through our Web site (www.lwsd.org).