Election 2025 QA with Edmonds School Board candidate Thom Garrard

Thom Garrard is campaigning to retain his position on the Edmonds School Board, drawing on 42 years of educational experience. He stresses that public education is vital for community development and children's futures, particularly in light of current federal and state funding challenges. His primary goal is to mobilize community support to pressure state officials into fulfilling their obligation to fund education adequately. Garrard has outlined strategies to improve high school graduation rates, including implementing fair grading policies and adjusting high school start times to better align with students' sleep patterns. These initiatives aim to increase student engagement and attendance, contributing to higher graduation rates.

Notably, the district's on-time graduation rate for 2024 surpassed any of the previous six years, indicating progress. Garrard encourages voters to learn more about his campaign through his website and social media platforms. His commitment to educational improvement reflects a broader trend of community engagement in local governance.