Two mothers want to be part of Cascade School District challenge
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Carrie Sorensen
Cascade School Board: Carrie Sorensen
Work history: Enzian Inn front desk supervisor assistant; stay-at-home mother; formerly worked as a newspaper reporter, medical transcriptionist and in retail sales.
Experience: Cascade School Board director five years, co-director Leavenworth Junior Miss Program, active in Amber Leaf Theater and several community and school programs.
Education: Cascade High School graduate, and attended Washington State University.
Personal: Age 38; Leavenworth.
Ammy Snow
Cascade School Board: Ammy Snow
Work history: Part-time secretary and bookkeeper for Doug Jones Concrete, stay-at-home mother.
Experience: Previously worked as an aide on Eastmont School District budget staff, founder and current president of Partners in Education group at Peshastin Dryden Elementary School, current president of Cascade Athletic Booster Club, served on the Pediatric Therapy Center Board of Directors and the Cental Washington University deans committee.
Education: Wenatchee High School and Wenatchee Valley College graduate, bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University in business operations management.
Personal: Age 31; Leavenworth.
LEAVENWORTH — Ammy Snow wants to give Cascade School District teachers and staff a voice in district affairs and be an advocate for families with younger children as well. Carrie Sorensen believes the five years of experience she’s earned as a school board member strengthens her ability to help steer the district through some challenging times ahead.
“It takes a few years to know how everything works. I think I’ve proven myself and done a good job over the last five years. I want to continue that,” said Sorensen, who was appointed to the board in 2005, then elected to a full term in 2006.
Snow said she’s been attending school board meetings, talking to parents and district staff and is married to an eighth-grade teacher in the district, so she’s ready to hit the ground running if elected.
“I don’t think teachers and staff are being heard. I want to give them a platform to speak,” she said. Snow said she believes the district is on the verge of major change as it prepares to hire a replacement for Superintendent Rob Clark, whose contract expires next June. It recently hired a new business manager.
“I would like to be a part of the hiring process and see the district go in a new direction,” she said.
Snow said district demographics are changing as more families with young children settle in the area. Founder and president of Peshastin Dryden Elementary School’s Partners in Education group, Snow said she wants to get parents involved with the district when their children are young and stay involved through high school.
Sorensen agrees that major change and challenges are in the district’s future. Along with some new administrators are funding and budget problems that come with the nation’s down economy, she said.
“I’m excited about the future. Change is hard, but you can get too complacent. Change shakes things up,” she said. “We have an incredible staff and teachers that are up the task. Change stretches you, but I truly believe it is good.
Sorensen noted that Cascade elementary, middle and high schools have all been named Schools of Distinction by the state Superintendent of Public Instruction’s office the last two years. Icicle Middle School has won the award three consecutive years.
“I don’t believe there is a better school district in the state,” she said.
Rick Steigmeyer: 664-7151
steigmeyer@wenatcheeworld.com