Tahoma School Board Director Bill Clausmeyer announced via a written statement on May 2 that he plans to run for re-election.

Clausmeyer has served on the board since 1997 when he was appointed to represent District 2.

“I applied to be appointed to the vacant board seat mostly as I wanted to be certain that the then sitting school board had a diverse pool of candidates to choose from,” Clausmeyer wrote.  “Back then I had no ‘agenda,’ just a passion for doing the best for our children. Fourteen years later, I remain without an ‘agenda,’ just as passionate, but have gained invaluable experience and wisdom.”

Since he joined the board, Clausmeyer has serviced as president, vice president and financial officer.

After the school district passed its last successful construction bond measure, Clausmeyer was selected by the board to “delve into the details of all change orders” related to the money raised by the sale of those bonds to pay for construction.

“It is an experience that will serve the district well again as those of you familiar with the district’s projected growth know, we must soon build for the future,” Clausmeyer wrote. “For now, we must sort out how to best proceed given the bond measure’s failure.”

Kevin Patterson, school district spokesman, told the Reporter on April 27 that the board will formally consider its options regarding the recent failure of its $125 million construction bond measure that was on the April 26 ballot at its May 10 meeting.

Clausmeyer wrote that he is seeking re-election in part to help the district stay the course through change in the coming years.

“Our district’s success is directly attributable to the unique culture that is the Tahoma School District,” he wrote. “This culture has been carefully nurtured by district leadership.  Alas, the key leadership positions all will turn over in the next several years. Making sure that we hire the right people and then guide them in continuing our success is the most significant reason I seek another term.”

Clausmeyer has lived in Maple Valley with his wife, Pam, and his family since 1990. He and his wife have been married 30 years.

He works as a customer service manager for Service Paper Company in Sumner.

For the 13 of the past 15 years he has also “been the man behind the white beard” at Lake Wilderness Elementary School’s annual holiday breakfast.

According to the King County Elections Office website, the in-person and online filing period for candidates begins at 8:30 a.m., Monday June 6 and will end at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 10.

Candidates may file by mail starting May 20.