As part of our continuing Election 2011 coverage, My Edmonds News presents statements submitted by candidates for the Edmonds School Board, District 5.

Mark Dillan believes that schools are the heart of the community, and that each student’s success is the paramount priority. This has inspired his involvement in the Edmonds School District as an active parent and community volunteer.

As a volunteer soccer coach for 12 years at the recreational, select and premiere level, Dillan developed his appreciation for the need of strong mentors for our children. He has  three children — Bridgette, Niall and Zach — who attended Madrona K-8 and graduated from Edmonds-Woodway High. Currently they are all in college, including Mark, who is finishing his degree is business management with an emphasis in public administration.

A business owner, Dillan has served on the Citizen Planning Committee for 11 years. As chair of the Facilities Committee, he helped the Edmonds School District to develop and implement a strategy to garner community support for a master plan to build new schools. The new Lynnwood High School and Meadowdale Middle School are a phase of this plan.

Serving his fifth year on the Budget Advisory Council, Dillan brings both a business owner’s and parent’s perspective to tackling the financial challenges facing the school district.

Dillan helped develop a communication protocol with the Emergency Response Task Force. This entailed the development and implementation of the most effective communication between the school district and all municipalities’ fire and police departments, and the criteria for the emergency storage sheds now located at the schools. He also served on interview committees for hiring key district administrative positions.

Dillan has receive the endorsements of the following current School Board Directors: Ann McMurray, Gary Noble and Susan Paine. You can learn more by following him on Facebook: DillanForSchoolBoard or by emailing dillanforschoolboard@gmail.com.