Two Sallys leave the Shelton School Board

Sally Brownfield and Sally Karr bid farewell to the Shelton School Board after serving for six years.

The Nov. 23 regular meeting was the last for the two Sallys. At that meeting, Marilyn Stevenson of the Mason County Auditor's Office swore in new members Marilyn Ward and Matthew Welander, and swore in Marty Best for a new four-year term.

The board also elected new officers - Keri Davidson is the new chairwoman, Best the new vice chairman.

Brownfield and Karr received praise for their six years on the board.

"I want to give a heartfelt thanks to both Sallys, Sally Karr and Sally Brownfield, for all the years of service, of which I've been there with you," Davidson said. "I just want to thank you for your professionalism, your strength, your leadership, and your grace through all of this. I've learned so much working beside both of you for six years. Your advocacy for students, all Shelton students, and your attitudes and how you've gone along helping have really moved this district forward."

Board member Sandy Tarzwell thanked the two for their "valuable perspectives" and for working for students throughout Mason County.

"It's been an honor to work with you," she said.

Superintendent Wyatt Jessee thanked Brownfield and Karr for their leadership.

"I think if three characteristics when I think of these two fine professional ladies, wisdom, commitment and patience," he said.

Brownfield and Karr "locked arms" with the other board members to get things done, Jessee said.

"For sure, these two ladies did their job, and that I can't say for every school board I've ever worked with," he said.

Ward, who ran unopposed for an open position, said she believes the board members will work together well.

"I think we will be able to do a lot of good things for the students of Shelton," she said.

Ward, Welander and Best attended a conference for new school board members presented by the Washington State School Directors' Association.

"The thing that I got out of the conferences last week, I did the thing with the hot-button topics," Welander said. "They talked about critical race theory and there was lots of information about the opportunity gaps, and the thing that kept coming back to me, the thing that really sticks in my head as we go forward is, I'm reminded of the difference between the history that we learned and the history we know. We look at Thomas Jefferson as one of the forefathers of the United States of America, but when you dig into Thomas Jefferson, you understand that he understood the importance of education and said his slaves would not be allowed to read because if they could read, they would leave. I want everyone to understand that concept as a country, as a community. I want kids to learn these things. I want them to stay in Shelton, I want them to be teachers and principals and school members."