Amanda Bourgeois chosen for school board vacancy

Five months after a crossroads election that saw the defeat of two La Conner School Board incumbents, the district panel has elected to continue down the path of change.

The board on Monday chose Amanda Bourgeois to fill the Swinomish director district seat vacated by Marlys Baker’s move to Mount Vernon earlier this year.

Baker had upset longtime board member Janie Beasley last November.

Beasley was seeking a return to the board, but members without comment voted unanimously in favor of Bourgeois in a roll call vote during a 45-minute video-conferenced meeting.

The appointment is in effect until November of 2021, said board chair Susie Gardner Deyo.

“I was so happy, I cried!” Bourgeois told the Weekly News afterward. “And then I danced! All through my house!

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity,” she said, “and I feel like right now we have a great group of board members.”

Beasley and Bourgeois were interviewed by the board last Thursday in a special session also viewed publicly via the Zoom communications platform.

Deyo posed the same seven questions to both candidates, while board members Brad Smith, Lynette Cram and John Agen asked one question each.

Bourgeois, self-employed as a jewelry maker and artist, has three children, two of whom are enrolled in La Conner Schools, and has taken an active role as a parent committee member. During her portion of the interview, Bourgeois vowed to devote full energy to the board position.

“I’m overwhelmed with a feeling to contribute more to the community,” she said. “I’m super passionate about that.”

Bourgeois stressed her commitment to maintaining an open dialogue with parents and the public and to support creative learning opportunities for all students.

“One of the great things about our diverse community,” she said, “is we have people there for our kids.”

Bourgeois said her key goals include “creating spaces where tribal parents can feel that they’re heard.”

Projecting an upbeat, optimistic tone, Bourgeois said challenges – whether financial or otherwise – represent opportunities for growth and team-building.

Beasley noted the experience she had gleaned during 15 years on the board and her deep roots within La Conner Schools as an alumnus and part of a large family of current and former students here.

She, like Bourgeois, cited the board’s need to foster strong bonds with the community.

“It’s important for everyone to be heard,” Beasley said. “We’re all here for the same reason. We here for the kids.”

She said La Conner Schools is in position to play a vital role in motivating students to be successful lifelong learners. Bourgeois agreed.

“It’s important to build a solid foundation,” said Bourgeois, “with the skills that will help kids no matter what (career) direction they choose.”

Beasley, who has helped with the Lushootseed language curriculum, pointed out that the number of Swinomish students in La Conner High graduating classes has grown significantly.

“The big key to that,” she said, “is parent involvement. Parents make a big difference in how kids deal with school.”

Beasley said La Conner Schools continue to reach out to students after they have walked the stage.

“We need to keep in touch with the kids after they graduate,” she said.

In the end, Bourgeois was the board’s choice.

“I have an undeniable desire,” she said, “to advocate for other parents in my position and I can bring a good perspective to the table.”