School Boards Picks Schroeder to Fill Temp District No. 2 Position

The four members of the Enumclaw School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint April Schroeder to fill the District No. 2 position that was in May when the previous appointee, , realized that the location of her residence disqualified her from holding the position.

Hancock had been appointed to the position in January after Cathy Dahlquist, who had been elected to the office in 2009, resigned in order to serve in the state Legislature.

Schroeder had been a contender back in January as well. She joked with Board members during her interview Tuesday, "Obviously, I'm very dedicated -- I'm back again."

However, applying for the position isn't a light decision for her, she said, and she's not doing this in the short-term. Past the term of this appointment, which will only extend into November when an election will determine who will hold the position for the remaining two years of what was originally Dahlquist's term, Schroeder has also .

With her young children progressing through the district schools and her family set in Enumclaw, she told the Board her goal for students: "I want them to feel this is the best experience they can have."

Schroeder served as secretary of the PTA and volunteers with the Enumclaw Schools Foundation, the PTSO and the Boy Scouts. 

The Board's decision on Tuesday came down to Schroeder and Dahlquist herself, who had submitted an application for appointment because she just wanted to help, she said. (Bryan Garton had reportedly withdrawn his application.)

With the daunting task of translating the into how local districts including Enumclaw would have to manage their cuts, and her insights in working in the Legislature, "I'm available to help," she told the Board. "I'm not running for this office. ... If you would rather train someone new, I understand. I'm there if you need help."

Board member Nancy Merrill thanked Schroeder for coming back a second time."You've been persistent in working with us through this awkward process."

She also thanked Dahlquist, "We also appreciate Cathy's willingness to step in."

The Board will undoubtedly benefit from Dahlquist's assistance through the summer and beyond. She would be able to offer knowledge and information on guidelines and policies coming through the state as well as ideas on policy governance, she said.

Providing a quick insight into the evolving Governor's race this fall, she told the Board she's met with both Attorney General Rob McKenna, who has , as well as who could be the Democratic frontrunner after Gov. Chris Gregoire announced this week she would not seek re-election.

McKenna is a quick study, she said, and Inslee is a great education advocate. "Both would make education a priority," she said.

The Board meets again on Monday to swear in both Schroeder and , the newly appointed student representative.