Long-Time School Board Member Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection

Veteran Puyallup School Board member Greg Heath has announced he will not seek a fourth term on the board, while Director Pat Donovan said he plans to run again for his board seat in the November 5, 2013 General Election.

Heath said he wanted to announce early that he will end his board service in November to give others interested a chance to consider the opportunity to apply.

“I am not going to run for office, and I just want to offer it up there for those who are considering it,” said Heath. “It is the most fantastic job to give back to the community that you can possibly do.”

The school board officials made their announcements during board member comments at the March 11 school board meeting, according to a school district press release.

Heath is a long-time Puyallup resident, who graduated from Puyallup High School in 1972. He was elected to the board in 2001 and was re-elected in 2005 and 2009.

The timing is right for him to leave the post and pursue other interests, including spending more time with his two grandchildren, he said.

“I’m on my third term, and I’m finishing up my twelfth year here with the Puyallup School Board, and I just can’t say what a privilege it has been to work at this fantastic school district," said Heath. 

He offered to meet with interested candidates to discuss the aspects of the job, and encouraged people interested in applying to consider the time commitment required of being a board member, which he said ranges between 40 and 60 hours a month.

Donovan, who was appointed to the board in January 2009 and elected to the post in November of that year, wants to continue serving the District.

“I do plan on running again these next four years. When the time comes in early May, I will be putting my hat in the ring to continue to work here on the school board and for the school district.”

Position 1, held by Donovan, and Position 4, held by Heath, are up for election in November. Those elected to serve are generally sworn in one month later at the December school board meeting.

School board members are elected to four-year terms; however, elections are held every two years because seats are up for election at staggered intervals.

To be eligible to serve, applicants must be United States citizens and must reside within the Puyallup School District.

Community members interested in applying for the two seats up for election this November may do so May 13-17 through the Pierce County Auditor’s Office.

For more information about filing as a candidate for one of the two board seats, visit the Pierce County Auditor’s Office website at www.co.pierce.wa.us