Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of interviews for contested Sequim elections in the Nov. 7 General Election. This week it’s Maren Halvorsen, who was appointed to the seat, versus challenger Derek Huntington, running for Sequim School Board Director at-large Position 4 — a non-partisan, two-year unexpired term. Halvorsen has served since February 2022

Each candidate was asked the same questions as their opponent via email.

• What’s your personal and professional background?

Halvorsen — I am a life-long educator. I say “life-long,” because when I retired from my position at the University of Washington in 2018 I continued to find ways to involve myself in the education of young people. For more than 30 years, I taught history in the UW’s Robinson Center Early Entrance Program, eventually becoming Principal of the school and Associate Director of the Center. I also taught undergraduate courses in the UW’s History Department, and at North Seattle Community College. I ran a Saturday enrichment and Summer Program for K-8 students for many years at the University. That was fun — all those kids, taking philosophy classes, physics classes, all on the university campus.

When I began graduate school I thought I would be a researcher. Instead I discovered a love of teaching, and found my path. I earned a doctorate in History at the UW, but always favored teaching over research. I loved being in the classroom. I loved the rich discussions, the discoveries, the excitement, the challenge.

I come from a small town. I was mostly raised in Sutherlin, Ore., a mill town, where my dad served on the School Board. I graduated high school in Burns, Oregon, with a graduating class of 90. This experience has helped me to see the value that a good public school brings to a community. Sutherlin may have been small, but it gave me a good early start for my future.

After retirement, I volunteered with Reading Partners in Seattle, a program devoted to helping young children learn to read. When I moved to Sequim, I joined the Clallam County League of Women Voters, and now serve on its Civic Education Committee. I also have become involved with the Boys & Girls Club Summer Lunch program. Partly I joined these organizations to learn about my new community, but also to be of service.

Huntington — I have been a resident of Sequim for 28 years. I graduated from Sequim High School in 2004. My daughter is currently a sixth grader in the district. I am currently employed with Franz Bakery.

• How has your career and personal life prepared you for a role on the school board?

Halvorsen — My background, both as a small-town kid and as a long-time educator, has given me insight into the challenges facing our public schools today. I’m also a parent, and did my share of parent-volunteering and getting my son to school every day. (He’s now a math teacher in Seattle.)

When I graduated high school and went off to college, I was in for the shock of my life. I had had it easy in high school, never had any homework, never really had to work hard. College was an entirely different experience. It took me awhile to figure out how to be successful. I made a lot of mistakes that first year. I think we can do more to help our students prepare for what college, job, and life have to offer.

As an educator, I learned patience, how to listen, and much more. Part of my role at the Early Entrance Program was to meet with each of our students once a week in tutorial, for one-on-one learning. It was such a luxury, to have that kind of access — both for the teacher and the student. The more we can bring that about, even in our busy classrooms, the more likely our students will meet with success.

I also learned about more practical matters: how to work with a budget, how to address issues with facilities, how to see students through to graduation. From overnight camps to graduation ceremonies, my role was to make sure our students had what they needed.

Of course, it’s important to remember that the board is limited in its role in the schools. We are there to provide support, good governance, appropriate oversight. We honor and respect the roles of our district staff. But it’s also important to have a clear and coherent vision of what our schools can and should be.

Huntington — I have volunteered in education extensively. Most recently I volunteered for field day in June at Helen Haller. I am also active in support of my daughter’s 4-H participation and work in the Clallam County Junior Livestock Auction, as well as similar volunteer work for the fair.

I will also soon be a member of the Sequim Boys and Girls club advisory board. I also participated in all the strategic planning committee meetings.

I have been attending the school board meetings both virtually and in person for over two years and staying for their entirety. I’ve also meet with current and former school board members directly to get their perspectives on being a board member and their responsibilities.

I also participated in the WSSDA (Washington State School Directors Association) virtual workshop for school board candidates. These opportunities for service have given me valuable insight into what our kids will need to equip them to live in the real world.

• What prompted you to run?

Halvorsen — I first applied for the Sequim School Board when there was an opening between elections. I wanted to serve my community and bring whatever skills and talents I have to the very important work of educating our students. I decided to run for my position this year because I feel the board, and the superintendent, have begun some very important work and I want to be part of that. We have an impressive team leading our schools, and I am proud to be part of that team.

I feel it is very important that our public schools remain centers of our community, and a place where students learn how to talk with each other, accept each other, and express their ideas and opinions with confidence. Our public school system is the answer to the polarization and fear that seems to have taken hold of our society. As a long-time History teacher I know the importance of the freedom of expression, in all its various forms.

Huntington — I have a great desire to give back to my community by serving parents, children, and teachers as a member of the Sequim school board. I ran for this office two years ago.

Despite not making it past the primary, my intention to serve our community has not wavered. I am committed to the ideal that a life of service to others is a worthy life.

I have worked to support the junior livestock auction and other ways of advancing Sequim’s young people.

The school board is a logical next step for me. I want to bring the perspective of a working parent, holding down a union job, to the Board in all the matters it considers.

• What do you like about Sequim schools and what needs to change?

Halvorsen — I like the strong sense of caring that is alive and well among our administrators, staff and teachers. They truly care about our students and many go out of their way to see to students’ needs. I certainly saw that reflected in the concerns expressed by some teachers about the realignment. I see it now in the professionalism and teamwork of the staff, administrators and teachers, who have all joined together to make this realignment work.

What needs to change: we have been very focused on the struggles of the past few years, as we should be. But sometimes that has led to making excuses about falling achievement scores and graduation rates. We need to help our students see themselves as resilient, strong, high achievers.

They need the challenge of academics: that builds confidence, and that’s what will help us get past the hardship of the past several years. It’s about student engagement that leads to achievement: coming to class every day ready and excited to learn. It’s happening some of the time but needs to happen all the time.

We also need to build stronger connections between the school board and the community. I feel the district did its very best to communicate to our parents about the realignment. I also feel that we made the right decision about the realignment. But it would be good to really look hard at that and see what else we can do to make sure our communication is clear, direct, and useful to families.

Huntington — The Sequim school system has a strong program for college bound students. Given the rather intense employment crisis in the technical trades, we could place more emphasis on career and technical education.

We have a good program now, but we could have a more comprehensive pathway for those students who would like alternatives to the traditional college route. I am prepared to propose and support funding for this program.

Communication and transparency is also something that needs to be addressed. We need to know why decisions are made and be able to provide feedback.

• What groups or organizations do you associate with?

Halvorsen — I am active in the Clallam County League of Women Voters, and am also a member of the Sequim Orchestra. I volunteered for the Sequim Good Governance League in the last election. I volunteer with the Sequim Boys & Girls Club.

Huntington — 4-H, Clallam County Junior Livestock Auction, and soon a part of the Sequim Boys & Girls Club advisory board.