The upcoming Blaine school district board of directors election attracted more candidates than recent school board elections, with two incumbents and five newcomers running for three open positions. School board directors oversee a more than $30 million annual operating budget and will grapple with issues including an ever-changing state funding formula and the legwork for a future Birch Bay primary school.
The open positions are four-year terms expiring in 2023. Each seat on the five-member school board represents a geographic area. This election will decide who represents district 1 (Point Roberts and downtown Blaine), district 2 (areas east of Blaine) and district 4 (including areas south of Blaine and parts of east Birch Bay). Though candidates must live in their district, voters from the entire district get to vote on these positions in the August 6 primary election, which will narrow each position down to two candidates ahead of the November 5 general election.
Maps of the school board districts are available at blainesd.org.
Todd Nunamaker
District 1
Age: 62
Voted in last school levy election: Yes.
Todd Nunamaker is running unopposed for the district 1 position vacated by John Freal. Nunamaker is a customs broker, a 1975 Blaine High School graduate and father of a current Blaine Middle School student. Since Nunamaker is running unopposed in district 1, he won’t be on the August 6 primary ballot.
Why are you running?
As a parent, I believe in education and the quality our Blaine school district is providing our students. I look forward to representing my district and working with my constituents as we continue to build on the standard of excellence we’ve been afforded through the Blaine school district.
What is your top priority?
My top priority is to work hard to become a good school board member as part of the Blaine educational team that represents our students, faculty and administration. A personal priority will be to represent my district with the excellence established by my predecessors.
Todd Berge
District 2
Age: 52
Voted in last school levy election: Yes.
Todd Berge is a site contract security manager at BP Cherry Point who has served on the Blaine School Board since 2003. Berge is a Blaine High School graduate, as are his two daughters. He currently has a grandson at Blaine Primary School.
Why are you running?
I’m excited to continue strong partnerships within the school district for the Blaine, Birch Bay and Point Roberts communities, where decisions must be made in the best interests of educating and providing opportunities to our children. Serving on your Blaine school board means taking responsibility to improve the educational experience and not losing focus on the curriculums that better prepare students for graduation and careers. With many recent district improvements, it’s important to stay focused and further build upon an environment that fosters stability for all.
We’re nearly done with major capital projects, including an expansion of our high school facilities. Teachers and administrators work hard, being invested in the success of their students and our community. Leading quality standards and supporting professional development are personally important to me to ensure the best quality of teaching is available.
What is your top priority?
I am dedicated to bringing on an experienced and dedicated leader as your Blaine school district superintendent to the community. As your school board member, I’d like to further support district best practices to recruit experienced and qualified staff that ensures engaging and rewarding curriculums, along with leading transparency and maintaining a fiscally sound school district. I remain committed to promoting opportunities for all students, while providing a safe school environment where those educational goals can be achieved.
Dougal Thomas
District 2
Age: 43
Voted in last school levy election: Yes.
Dougal Thomas’s wife is a teacher at Blaine Primary School and he has a son at Blaine Middle School. He is a former teacher and basketball coach who currently owns a heating and air conditioning business.
Why are you running?
I think it’s time for a fresh perspective and fresh leadership to meet the challenges of a new generation. I’m a long-time Borderite who hopes to serve the interests of all community members with a strong focus on the students of Blaine school district. My family and I have lived in Blaine for 15 years and my children are students in the Blaine school district. I was also a student at Blaine Middle School.
I have been involved in education for the past 24 years either as a teacher or a coach. I am looking forward to contributing to the Blaine community in a new way on the school board. I hold bachelor and master of education degrees, and taught math and health at the K-12 and community college levels. I want to enhance the academic and extra-curricular opportunities for students in our community. Student access to a variety of programs and facilities is extremely important to do this.
What is your top priority?
I want all of our students to have a hope for a brighter future. As a member of the school board and an educator it will be important to me that the Blaine school district is providing the necessary strategic vision, resources and leadership to our students, teachers and administrators. We need to address the many challenges of a technology driven economy and find innovative ways to better equip our students with the best education possible for their future. I would like to see the Blaine school district, as the center of our community, make itself more accessible and integrated with the community. It is an exciting time for our district with completion of the high school imminent and the hiring of a new superintendent on the horizon. I will be a reasonable and responsible voice with an unwavering commitment to the community that I love.
Prudence Welch
District 2
Age: 46
Voted in last school levy election: No. “I didn’t get that ballot in the mail and I was out of town for that month,” she said. “I have had mail issues for some time now. But I am not the only one in Blaine that has mail issues.”
Prudence Welch is a broker at Sundance Yacht Sales who has four kids; one attends Blaine Middle School and three are Blaine High School graduates.
Why are you running?
I am running for school board to bring new ideas and fresh concepts to improve our community, which starts in our schools. This involves balancing long- and short-term goals for the district so our students can have a brighter future. I feel like we could improve our living and learning tools, which would help our children be more successful. I am a parent who has had three children graduate from Blaine, and I currently have one in middle school. I care!
What’s your top priority?
My main objective is to provide a healthy and safe environment for our children and teachers. I personally have had to deal with bullying and learning disabilities. This is frustrating for teachers, parents and students. In my opinion this would start with building mutual respect in our schools, which would improve our community. We all lead busy lives, but when you take the time out to see the actual frustration and needs of some of the students, it is alarming. We live in a town that does care, and we have people willing to help. It’s not about politics; it’s about doing what’s right.
Charles Gibson
District 4
Age: 72
Voted in last school levy election: Yes.
Charles Gibson has served on the Blaine school board since 2008 and has been the pastor of Northwood Alliance Church in Blaine for 25 years. His four children graduated from Blaine High School and he now has grandchildren at Blaine schools.
Why are you running?
I thought long and hard on that question and finally decided to do so for one major reason and with the encouragement of other board members. With the retirement of superintendent Ron Spanjer, I am convinced we need experienced board members to carry forward many of the good things that were started under his care. I’m told that it takes a couple years for a new board member to learn how school districts work and I know that was true for myself. The funding sources and fiscal management are more complicated than ever with recent changes by the legislature. And there’s a myriad of worthy educational programs that need care by the board and administration. I’m convinced that whoever we choose as our new superintendent will greatly benefit from board members who are experienced and know the local culture well from the first day that leader arrives on campus.
What is your top priority?
My top priority will continue to be sure our school district cares well for all the children in our district regardless of who their family is or how well situated they are in life. Technology is rapidly changing almost every aspect of our lives, and our students need to be prepared for a rapidly changing world. The great thing about public education is the opportunity it gives for every child to develop to full potential. It’s often said that Blaine school district is the heart of our communities of Birch Bay, Point Roberts and Blaine. We have outstanding teachers who truly love the children and work hard to see them flourish. It’s worth our very best effort to keep our schools running smoothly with fairness to all our students, parents and staff.
Tana Perkins Reneau
District 4
Age: 47
Voted in last school levy election: Yes.
Before becoming director of focused ministries at North Whatcom Young Life, Tana Perkins Reneau taught elementary school for 12 years and has a Washington state principal/administrator certificate. She has six children in the Blaine school district, ranging from primary to high school.
Why are you running?
It is my privilege to serve our students, families, staff, and community. Providing children with an outstanding education has been my lifelong passion. Collaborating with teachers to assess, reflect upon, and improve our professional practice is a highlight of my work. Coming alongside families to offer support, resources, and partnership gives my work depth and meaning. As an educator, a parent, administrator, and community leader, I have the proficiency to serve our community in ways that advocate for education in the 21st century. I am vested in every aspect of our local school system that shapes and influences its growth and development. I am committed to the continuous change that is required for students to rise to their full potential. My experience and knowledge bring balance between the daily operations, current initiatives, and the overarching decision-making processes that impact our schools and the educational outcomes envisioned across the district.
What is your top priority?
We must maintain a school culture where every child has trusted adults reinforcing the fact that every student can learn, grow and achieve high standards. I am an advocate for every child. The highest performing education systems are those that integrate equity with a high quality and strategic approach. My involvement and familiarity with research-based best practices and cultural responsiveness bring a strong understanding of positive school cultures and learning communities that foster academic and professional growth for all members of the school district. I encourage many voices to unite to build capacity in our schools to guarantee rigorous and meaningful teaching and learning. Collaborative efforts lay the foundation that generates responsible, college bound, and career-ready members of society.
Katie Smith
District 4
Age: 35
Voted in the last school levy election: No.
Katie Smith runs a custom apparel business from home while raising five children. She’s a Blaine High School graduate and currently serves on the board of the Blaine Middle School Parent Teacher Student Organization. All five of her children will be in Blaine schools next year.
Why are you running?
I chose to run for school board because I want to be an active member of our community and an active member of my children’s education. I didn’t want to just sit back and watch all the things I thought could be better while not feeling like I had a voice; I want to help fix it and help be the voice for the students and families of Blaine. I also believe that a bit of diversity is crucial for our school board and that there is a place and a need for members with many different degrees and talents, and there is a need on our board for some members who have children currently attending school at Blaine, as they are the ones being impacted by these decisions daily.
What is your top priority?
I want nothing but the best for the students of Blaine, they are our future so of course my top priority is always going to be to make sure that the education they are getting from Blaine school district is the best that it can be. Another very important priority to me is to listen to the families and students of Blaine, and to listen to our community and to be their voice bringing their concerns and issues to the board and doing my part to make sure that people are being heard and to make Blaine school district a great place to go to school and be a part of.
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