Russell Hanscom said he was unsure last month if he would take a Kent School Board position even if voters elected him because of the time commitment.
But after Hanscom received 65.2 percent of the vote Tuesday against challenger Larry Sims, Hanscom decided to accept the Director District No. 1 spot.
“My plan is I’m happy to take the position,” Hanscom said during a phone interview Wednesday. “I discussed it with my family and I plan to give the position my full attention and commitment.”
Incumbent Debbie Straus held on to her seat as she had 58.5 percent of the vote over challenger Leslie Hamada for Director District No. 3. Straus, of Kent, ran unopposed when she was elected in 2007. Hamada, who lives in an unincorporated part of Covington, retired nine months ago after 32 years in sales, marketing and public relation jobs and had hoped to devote all of her time to the school board.
Incumbent Karen DeBruler ran unopposed for Director District No. 2.
School board member Bill Boyce won his race for the Kent City Council after serving 17 years on the board. That means the board will need to appoint someone to replace him once Boyce resigns. Boyce’s school board term expires in 2013.
“I can’t serve both and be successful,” Boyce said. “I don’t have a timeline yet (to resign). It will be early in 2012.”
Hanscom told the Kent Reporter last month that the time commitment to his three young boys and his job didn’t leave much extra time. But Hanscom, executive director of Puyallup Tribe Elder and Vulnerable Adult Services, didn’t withdraw his name from the ballot.
When Hanscom saw that Sims had not submitted any information to the King County voters’ pamphlet, he knew he would have a good chance at winning the election because many voters would choose someone who had a statement in the voters’ guide over a candidate without a statement.
“I was honored to get so many votes,” Hanscom said.
In January, Hanscom will replace Jim Berrios, who decided against running for another term.
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