2021 Re-election year – running for school board is not for the faint of heart

Of all the years since I was appointed in 2006 as a board director, the last three have proven to be the most challenging: 2019, 2020 and 2021. Our district faced two pandemics: multiple student deaths and Covid-19. Not to mention all the political challenges around the world, the US, WA State and the impact on Riverview School District.

I am proud of our school district community as we endured and proved resilient in support of our students, staff, and community. People stepped up in amazing ways.

Serving on the board of directors is an amazing opportunity to provide public service for our local public schools; it is not for the faint of heart. During the unprecedented 2020-2021 school year, the board met on average seven times a month. This breaks down into two business meetings, one weekly COVID Update meeting, multiple board work study sessions, and additional mandatory meetings such as leadership, State audit reviews as well as executive sessions.

As a board member serving our district, I am proud of the board’s dedication to our students and staff as well as providing community engagement with the Riverview Ambassadors Program – where community members can learn more in depth information about how our district operates. Our district has embraced our vision to become a national model of educational excellence and our board has received recognition and named Board of Distinction for the past seven years and selected as Board of the year in 2016.

The Riverview Strategic Plan is the district’s guiding plan. Each year based on the Strategic Plan our district publishes the Riverview Ways. Through our board work over the years, we have elevated Student voice – we have two student representatives that sit on the board, we conduct round tables to listen to student’s concerns, and student’s also present at board meetings and during public comment.

It is an honor to serve in the Riverview School District.

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About the author: Lori

Lori Oviatt has served on the Riverview School Board of Directors since 2006, she lives on an acreage in the wild woods near Lake Joy and loves to serve in the public school system. She is a Learning Solutions Provider for many corporations and non-profits around the globe. She loves to talk education and learning!