What will East Pierce school board candidates do about overcrowding? We asked
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East Pierce County elections
These are the East Pierce County races we’re following for the Nov. 4, 2025 election.
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The Nov. 4 election is less than a month away, and voters in East Pierce County must choose new leaders who will make crucial decisions for local schools.
Rapid growth in the region means many schools are grappling with overcrowding in older buildings designed for fewer students.
Districts have struggled to pass bonds in recent years to pay for new facilities. Bonds in Washington state require a 60% supermajority and an overall turnout rate that matches 40% of the 2024 election. In February, the Puyallup School District’s $800 million bond failed, meeting the 60% supermajority required but failing to meet the overall turnout threshold needed to pass the bond. In April, the bond failed again.
If it passed, the bond would have expanded three high schools and also replaced and expanded Mt. View, Spinning and Waller Road elementary schools. Since the bond’s failure, school officials have told The News Tribune that Spinning and Waller Road are at risk of closing.
The Orting School District has put a bond on the ballot four times since 2023, failing each time. OSD is now asking the voters for a fifth time to approve a revised, $137 million bond, which would rebuild Orting Elementary School on district-owned land and remodel Orting High School to include a 200-student Career and Technical Education wing with classrooms for culinary arts, science labs, health science classrooms and robotics labs.
Voters did approve a $732 million bond for the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District last year, which will upgrade and expand Sumner High School and Bonney Lake High School; build a new middle school in Tehaleh; and expand Tehaleh Heights Elementary.
The News Tribune emailed the same prompt to 14 candidates running for school board in the Puyallup, Sumner/Bonney Lake, Orting, Bethel and Eatonville School Districts. This article does not include candidates running unopposed.
Candidates had a week to respond with a 200-word statement, and are listed by the order they appear in the Pierce County Voter’s Guide.
Before publication, The News Tribune sent two rounds of reminder emails to unresponsive candidates. When candidates didn’t respond, The News Tribune noted it and included relevant statements from the voter’s guide. Responses are verbatim, except for minor edits for punctuation and clarity.
Ballots will be mailed Oct. 17 and must be postmarked by Nov. 4 or returned to a drop box by 8 p.m. that night. Visit PierceCountyWA.gov/Elections for more information.
The Prompt
School districts across the state have struggled to pass bonds in recent years. If elected, how do you plan to deal with your district’s aging buildings? What specific projects would you prioritize? What would you do differently to get those projects funded?
Puyallup School District, Position 1
Melissa Bedford: “We have seen school districts across the state struggle with passing school bonds, but our students still deserve safe, modern, and accessible schools. The Puyallup School District’s 2025 bond identified various projects, including replacing Mt. View, Spinning, and Waller Road Elementary Schools; building a new school in the growing Sunrise area; and expanding the three comprehensive high schools to relieve overcrowding. Using that proposal, I would reevaluate & prioritize projects that address the urgent needs first, such as schools with old infrastructure, accessibility issues, and safety concerns.
To pass these bonds, we need to campaign strategically. This means district leadership, including school board directors, working to build trust in the community through transparency. This means engaging families and voters year-round, not just when ballots are out. This means partnering with community organizations and local unions to help the public fully understand why passing bonds is essential to supporting our students and families.
By working together and showing how these investments benefit the entire community, we can earn the support needed to modernize our schools. I know what it’s like to teach in a school with AC in the winter & heat in summer - our students & staff deserve better.”
Ellen Aronson: “Puyallup’s aging schools must be prioritized. As a parent, 2024 Bond Advisory Committee member, and longtime advocate for Puyallup schools, I know it’s important for students and staff to have safe, modern spaces to learn and work. My main priorities are the potential closure of Spinning and Waller Road while we face district-wide overcrowding, updating PHS and Rogers to meet today’s safety standards for secure campuses, and reducing our reliance on portables. Puyallup has more than 200 portables and I think we can agree that they are not ideal learning environments for our kids.
Moving forward, we must acknowledge why recent bonds have failed. Voters are concerned about rising property taxes and want confidence their money will be spent wisely. We need to change course to rebuild trust with our community so they see us spending existing dollars thoughtfully and approaching future bonds strategically. I’ll also prioritize advocacy in Olympia for school funding reform because local families shouldn’t carry this burden alone.
I believe bonds are smart investments in Puyallup’s future. Good schools raise property values, support student achievement, and benefit everyone. Our kids are counting on us. I’m ready to show up — for my family and yours.”
Puyallup School District, Position 4
David Berg: “Our last two Bond elections received strong support, each time winning over the 60% “yes” votes required. We fell short in turnout. To validate a school bond, we need to turn out 40% of the voters from the last general election. Had the bond been run in 2022, 2023 or 2024 and received the same support, it would have passed each time. Validating off the turnout in the presidential election proved too high a hurdle in 2025.
Since my election, our district has created a School Capacity Utilization Task force and a Bond Advisory Committee. Community members, families, students and staff studied our enrollment, projected growth, and existing schools. They were very clear in finding our elementary and high schools are well beyond their designed capacities, and projected enrollment will push us to the breaking point. Changing boundaries, shuffling students around, and adding more portables won’t do it.
We have to add a new elementary on the South Hill; address deficiencies at Spinning, Waller Road and Mountain View; and add capacity at our high schools. Voters have told us they’re willing to support these projects, and I believe they will the next time we put a bond on the ballot.”
William Rowland: “Support for the PSD bond measure has steadily declined, largely due to growing skepticism about the district’s priorities and significant budget increase of approximately $70 million in past four or five years. Concerns about financial management are mounting among the electorate. It is essential to realign focus on academic priorities and rigorously evaluate spending practices to regain public trust and ensure that funds are used effectively for the benefit of students.
Additionally, attack on parental rights and the expansion of sexual education content affects voter sentiment. Educational mission is overshadowed by these issues and lost focus core academic values. Return to providing a quality education will improve voter support.”
Rowland said the district quadrupled its number of assistant superintendents between 2019 and 2023, “with the top 99-highest-paid employees costing the district almost $16 million.”
“By prioritizing academic focus, the district can streamline expenses and allocate funds more effectively. A commitment to educational excellence, rather than administrative expansion, will not only restore trust but also ensure that resources are directed toward enhancing student learning outcomes.”
Sumner-Bonney Lake School District, Position 1
JB Smith: “I’m proud to have been on the board when our community trusted the district enough to pass a large bond last year to address both the overcrowding of our schools and our aging buildings and infrastructure. That trust comes with a deep responsibility — one I take seriously.
My commitment as a candidate is to ensure every project promised is completed as envisioned, on time, and within budget. I will prioritize transparency and accountability by supporting regular public updates on project progress, timelines and expenditures. I also strongly support maintaining a bond oversight committee to provide independent review and ensure fiscal responsibility.
The trust of our community will remain central to everything we do. Through open communication, transparency, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, we can demonstrate that every decision is made with care and accountability. By keeping our community informed and involved, we build the confidence and support needed to sustain future investments in our schools.”
Greg Ocken: The News Tribune reached out to Ocken but did not get a response before deadline.
“Our students deserve smaller class sizes, robust extracurricular activities, and strong college and job placement opportunities,” Ocken wrote in the voter’s guide. “Our property taxes continue to increase on a consistent basis, and as a homeowner and parent we all deserve full transparency as to where those dollars are going and how they are being spent. If you’d like increased transparency through podcasts, interviews, Q&A sessions, and consistent updates via newsletters and other means, then I’m your candidate!”
Orting School District, Position 1
Kati Crouch: The News Tribune reached out to Crouch but did not get a response before deadline.
“Finding the balance between budgets and education is never easy, but it is necessary in this economy, and I am up for the challenge,” Crouch wrote in the voter’s guide. “Our district will continue to face unprecedented growth and challenges in the next 8-10 years. We need to rise to the occasion and create forward-thinking plans that manage that growth and allow for great education and phenomenal outcomes for every child within our district.”
Michael Melot: The News Tribune reached out to Melot but did not get a response before deadline.
In his voter’s guide statement, Melot did not directly talk about the bond, growth or overcrowding.
“As a member of the Orting School District I have had the opportunity to work with the superintendent and other school board members to further student engagement and to act as a voice for our community with our students’ future in mind,” Merlot wrote.
Orting School District, Position 2
Matthew Tasin: Even though Tasin is listed as a candidate and voters have the option to vote for him, he will not be elected to the school board.
“In the weeks prior to the primary election, I was informed that, as a military member, in order to run for and serve in an elected position, I had to have written approval from my service secretary. I had not delved deep enough into military regulations regarding running for a nonpartisan local office, and was unaware of the requirement,” Tasin wrote in an email to The News Tribune. “There is no ability for me to get an exception to policy, nor is it possible to get approval post-election. Therefore, in order to not be in violation of Department of Defense Directive 1344.10 and Department of the Air Force Instruction 51-508, if elected I cannot accept the position and hold the office.”
Tasin did write a brief statement “in order to potentially help the Board come up with a plan to get their bond passed.”
“I think the next evolution of the Orting School District Bond Task Force needs to engage with voters to figure out why people didn’t vote for the bond the previous two election cycles,” Tasin wrote. “It’s great that the District wants to educate voters on the need for the bond, and they’ve been very proactive in their education campaigns, but if the District doesn’t know why people are voting “no,” then they may be presenting information that isn’t going to sway the no-votes.”
Reshonda Williams: “Many school districts across Washington, including Orting, have faced difficulties passing bond measures, resulting in aging facilities that require repair or replacement. Modern schools are essential for student success, staff morale, and community pride.If elected, I will foster trust and transparency by clearly communicating facility needs, project priorities, and financial accountability. This involves engaging parents, teachers, and community members early, so everyone understands the reasons behind each project and feels invested in the solution.
Rapid growth has put a strain on our facilities in Orting. My priorities include repairing critical infrastructure, such as roofs, HVAC systems, and plumbing; enhancing safety and security; and planning for additional classroom space to reduce overcrowding. I also support upgrading science labs, technology, and career and technical education areas to prepare students for future opportunities.
To fund these projects, we must clearly communicate the benefits each dollar provides to students and taxpayers. I will also seek grants, partnerships, and state matching funds to boost local funding.By promoting open dialogue, showing accountability, and engaging our community at every stage not excluding getting my hands dirty, we can rebuild trust and create safe, motivating learning environments for Orting’s students.”
Bethel School District, Position 3
Roseanna Camacho: “Bethel School District spans more than 200 square miles, serving over 21,000 students in a mix of urban and rural communities. With such rapid growth, maintaining and modernizing our facilities is one of our most pressing challenges. In recent years, districts across the state have struggled to pass bonds — and Bethel has been no exception.
Traditionally, when bonds fail, districts turn to short-term fixes like adding portables, shifting boundaries or increasing class sizes. While these relieve pressure temporarily, they don’t create the safe, modern learning environments our students deserve. I support right-sizing schools — building smaller, community-centered campuses that better reflect local population needs. These schools reduce upfront construction costs, require less land acquisition and make bond proposals more manageable for taxpayers.
Right-sizing also helps prevent overexpansion during times of fluctuating enrollment, economic change and changing local industries, while fostering closer connections between students, families and educators. To fund future projects, we must rebuild public trust through transparency, clear communication and consistent community engagement. My goal is to balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s realities — investing wisely to ensure every student learns in a safe, effective and future-ready environment.”
Mark Reid: The News Tribune reached out to Reid but did not get a response before deadline.
In his voter’s guide statement, Reid did not address the issue of school bonds, growth or overcrowding.
“I’ll fight for parental rights, curriculum transparency, classroom discipline and high academic standards,” Reid wrote in the voter’s guide. “Our schools must partner with our families — not replace them — and reflect the values of the community they serve.”
Eatonville School District, Position 2
Caitie Henselman: “Our community has been incredible in stepping up to support Eatonville Schools — from passing the recent levy that funded our track, field and stadium improvements to engaging in thoughtful conversations about long-term facility needs. That commitment speaks volumes to how much this town values its kids and their education, and I’m deeply grateful for it.
If elected, I want to continue building on the momentum by ensuring the community stays informed, involved and heard throughout every step of planning and funding. As part of the district’s New Strategic Plan, there’s already a strong foundation in place to remodel the high school and all three elementary schools through a combination of sources.
My focus would be on prioritizing safety, functionality and modernization, making sure our buildings are not only well-maintained but also equipped to support evolving educational needs. To gain voter confidence for future funding measures, I believe in clear communication, fiscal responsibility and consistent updates that show results. When the community can see progress and trust the process, they’ll continue to invest in the future of our students.”
Neil Colombini: “As a construction manager by trade, I understand the importance of maintaining and improving buildings throughout school districts. Maintaining the structures and utilities within the Eatonville School District (ESD) is important in order to provide a safe and modern learning environment for the students, teachers and staff.
ESD is currently in the middle of upgrading the high school’s sports field with synthetic turf, replacing the running track and upgrading the stadium stands; a project our community very much deserves. Other projects that may need attention are upgrading further sport fields, providing more modern play structures at the elementary schools, and updating/improving the portable classrooms throughout the district.
Bonds are still the most effective way to receive the adequate funds to implement the needed construction improvements through the district. My goal is to engage with our community to help facilitate a better understanding of what bonds do and how they affect our taxes. If elected, I would support legislation efforts to make bonds a more appealing option for our voters. As construction costs continue to rise, it’s important to secure funding in order to keep the district modern, safe and consistent with our current student enrollment.”
This story was originally published October 14, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
