Meet Pat

I come from a family of educators.  My mom and siblings have spent their careers as teachers, librarians, counselors and coaches.  Somehow I became a lawyer.  I worked primarily as a family law attorney, addressing emotionally and financially complex issues.  Oftentimes for my clients, schools provided a place of community, and a sense of normalcy and grounding, for families going through difficult times.

Although I worked as an attorney, my family life revolved around school and activities for our three children.  I served many hours as a Parent Board representative and classroom volunteer, and have the deepest respect for professionals who devote their lives to working with students. Since moving to Sequim, I have started and coached the High School Mock Trial team, which teaches students about the American legal system and helps them develop critical thinking and oral advocacy skills.

When I decided to run for the Sequim School Board, it faced challenges that I believed would benefit from a new perspective.  Since I joined the board, the district has hired a dynamic new superintendent, obtained public and private funding to create a new Career and Technical Education Center of Excellence to provide state-of-the-art vocational training for our middle and high school students, passed its first construction bond in almost thirty years to replace Helen Haller Elementary School and a number of buildings at the high school, and taken strong action to address academic and behavioral concerns that have continued to be an issue in schools throughout the country post-covid. Although the board members have different viewpoints on certain issues, we work together respectfully to promote the best interests of our students.  When I ran four years ago, I pledged to listen to all points of view, do my homework, behave in a professional and courteous manner, put aside personal and partisan agendas, and promote teamwork.  I have honored that pledge.  Moving forward, I will keep my focus on providing the best possible education for the students in the Sequim School District, a respectful and supportive environment for teachers and other employees, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds.