Meet Washington state’s Charter School Commission

Steve Sundquist

Gov. Jay Inslee this morning announced the appointments to this commission this a.m. in a joint statement with Lt. Gov. Brad Owen and House Speaker Frank Chopp.

Gov. Inslee’s appointees are: Former Seattle School Boardmember Steve Sundquist; Doreen Cato, executive director and chief professional officer of the United Way of Grays Harbor. Seattlelites will recognize her name because she is also the former executive director of First Place, a kindergarten through sixth grade nonprofit school for at-risk children and families and Chris Martin, an advocate for gifted education and founder of PRODIGY NW .

House Speaker Frank Chopp appointed to the Charter School commission Trish Millines Dziko, co-founder of the TAF Academy, a school operating under the auspices of the Federal Way School District; Former state Rep. Dave Quall , once a Mount Vernon high school teacher; and Dr. Margit McGuire, Director of Teacher Education in the Master inTeaching program at Seattle University.

Lt. Governor Brad Owen appointed: Larry Wright, Cindi Williams and Kevin Jacka, a school district superintendent.

Doreen Cato

Last fall, voters approved Initiative 1240, making Washington one of the last states in the nation to legalize charter schools.

“Creating a new system for charter schools is a heavy lift, and maintaining a high level of accountability and transparency is key,” Inslee said in a statement released minutes ago. “These are people who understand what our students need to succeed, and how to manage people and resources to meet the needs of a diverse student population.”

The standard term on the commission will be four years, though the length of the initial appointments will be staggered so everyone does not leave the board at once. No commission member may serve more than two consecutive terms.

The commission, filled with smart, accomplished people, must begin its work. First up, elect a chair.

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