Washtucna School District, Council Position 3 Candidates: Opponent Theresa St. Hilaire

The Nov. 3 General Election ballot will include Theresa St. Hilaire who is running for the Washtucna School District Position, a four-year term.

St. Hilaire, who is 59, is married to Patrick. Together they have six children; John, Adam, Keith, Anne, Noah and Mary Rose.

Currently, St. Hilaire is working as the clerk/treasurer for the Town of Washtucna.

She is, “seeking election in order to serve the community by actively seeking ways to positively build up the students and staff, research ways to increase student enrollment, and continue the high standards in academics.”

St. Hilaire stated, “The position on the school board she seeks entails enforcing and creating policies and procedures, and assisting the administration in decision making and being a positive link between the community and the school.”

She believes it is very important for a person in this position to be encouraging, supportive and involved in student activities such as concerts, recitals, ball games, open houses, contests, plays, reading month, FFA and FBLA.

“In a small town such as Washtucna, the school board has a very public face and therefore can affect the perception of the school,” St. Hilaire said.

If elected, St. Hilaire plans to take her time in familiarizing herself with the current policies and procedures, and their purpose before proposing any changes.

If elected, her goals include encouraging positive and ethical communication between the staff, community and the board.

Additionally her top priorities would be: student learning in all grade levels, and improving staff morale and communication with the parents and community.

When asked about ensuring the future of the Washtucna School District, she stated, “The school board must actively seek out ways to increase enrollment.

“Talking to other small districts in the same situations would help, maybe creating a flyer to distribute to newspapers and employers in the area citing the positive aspects students in small classrooms receive.”

St. Hilaire has lived in the community for the last 35 years. During that time she has served as a Boy Scout leader, a Girl Scout leader, VBS teacher, Youth Group leader, Park and Recreation Board Commissioner, school district secretary, Council Advisor to Youth for the Spokane Diocese, parish liaison and she is a member of Holy Trinity/St. Joe’s Church.

She believes communication is key to improving relations and knowledge.

“It is important to encourage the community to attend meetings, read newsletters and stay involved with the school. Listening to parent and community concerns and being willing to work with the public to improve our school can be the answer to many issues,” she said.

St. Hilaire stated that five of her six children graduated from Washtucna and “have entered the world well prepared and equipped to find their path in life.”

Today her children hold careers in a variety of fields and serve in many volunteer roles in their respective communities.

St. Hilaire attributes this to the Washtucna School.

She stated, “Our children were nurtured and taught to serve, strive for high goals and lead with integrity.”

Her final words for voters are, “I am thankful to the Washtucna School and would like, for my part, to give back to the community through helping to keep our school as a beacon of learning and commitment to students.”