Tri-City area school boards attract 54 to run. This 1 is running for governor instead
Misipati “Semi” Bird — the decorated U.S. Special Forces veteran who ruffled feathers with his vote to defy Washington’s indoor mask mandate — will not run for a second term on the Richland School Board.
He has chosen to instead focus his time on his 2024 gubernatorial run.
“I’m going to back the best candidates who will support students and support families,” he told the Tri-City Herald on Friday. “I think families should be respected and brought in as much as they can (to the education process).”
Filing week wrapped up Friday for candidates running for local elected offices in Washington state.
In Benton County, 34 candidates filed for 22 seats on school boards. And in Franklin County, 20 candidates are running for 17 school board seats.
May 22 is the final day for candidates to withdraw their ballot registration.
Tri-City school boards could see large turnover this cycle. Each of the “big three” districts — Kennewick, Richland and Pasco — have a majority of their seats up for reelection this year.
School board seats have traditionally not attracted such attention and appetite from prospective candidates. Meetings are often long and the positions are usually unpaid.
But in recent years, despite being nonpartisan positions, school boards have become a lightning rod for “culture war” issues and ideological battles. The COVID pandemic heightened this, with parents and community members coming out to debate mask and vaccine mandates.
Bird is a behavioral scientist, the founder and executive director of Team Concepts Training and Consulting, which offers business leadership development and training. He won over voters in November 2021 and was elected to the school board on a platform of family choice, vocal opposition to “critical race theory” and installing COVID mask choice.
He is the first Black school board member to serve the Richland School District, he said.
Among the highlights of his tenure, Bird said, include creation of parent and student advisory boards and the formation of a district strategic plan. Bird said he brought the values of, and fought for, students and families.
“If I could only encourage people to consider one thing … all I would ask is for people in the future to bring some kindness and grace to the discussion,” said the Richland Republican.
Three candidates have stepped up to run for his Director No. 3 seat: Chelsie Beck, Nino Kapitula and Tony Gonzalez.
Bird’s term expires at the end of the year, but he could face early expulsion by way of a recall effort likely to appear on the Aug. 1 ballot.
If voters choose to remove Bird from office, he would have to vacate his office by the election certification on Aug. 15.
Richland School Board
Nine candidates have filed to run for three open seats on the Richland School Board.
And Richland School Board members Kari Williams and Jill Oldson have filed to run for reelection.
Both are seeking a second full term, and will have to overcome two challengers each in August to move on to the general election.
Katrina Waters and Aaron Riggs are challenging Williams for her seat.
Gene Nemeth and Matthew Bishop are challenging Oldson for her seat.
Kennewick School Board
Six candidates filed to run for three seats on the Kennewick School Board.
All of the candidates will move on to the Nov. 7 general election since there are only two candidates in each race.
While Diane Sundvik and Ron Mabry will not seek reelection, board President Michael Connors will be seeking a second term, this time running for Mabry’s seat.
He’ll face a challenger in Dustin Petersen for that Director No. 3 seat, though.
Brittany Gledhill and Aaron Massey will face off for the open Director No. 4 seat that’s being vacated by Connors.
And Lisa Peppard and Josh Miller will go head-to-head for Sundvik’s Director No. 5 seat.
Pasco School Board
Six candidates will run for three seats on the Pasco School Board.
Recently-appointed school board member Vincent Guerrero will defend his District No. 1 seat from challenger Steve Norberg.
And Gabriel Lucatero will challenge John Kennedy for his seat representing District No. 2.
Incumbent Rosa Torres and former school board member Steve Simmons will face off for the district’s only at-large seat. Unlike other school board races, where winners will be elected to a four-year term, the winner of this race will serve for two years.
North Franklin School Board
Incumbents Terry Utecht and Jon Fox will run unopposed for two open seats on the North Franklin School Board.
Ciera Valdez will challenge incumbent Patricia Walker for her seat representing Director District No. 1.
Prosser School Board
The Prosser School Board will have three brand new members after Peggy Douglas, Andy Howe and Jeanie Aubrey leave their seats at the end of the year.
Michelle O’Brien and Petra Atilano will face off for the Director District No. 1 seat.
Frank Ver Mulm and Monica Burnett will go head-to-head for the Director District No. 2 seat.
And Rick James and Brian Weinmann are each vying for the Director District No. 5 seat.
Finley School Board
There will be no changes to the Finley School Board.
Dawn Senger, Julie Bussell and Timothy Goforth all filed for reelection without attracting challengers.
Kiona-Benton City School Board
Gina Warner will run unopposed for the Director District No. 4 seat on the Kiona-Benton City School Board.
Because no candidate filed for the board’s Director District Nos. 1 and 5 seats, Benton County will reopen registration during a special filing period.
