Phone
(360) 339-0228
Email
Deanmingsfortsd@gmail.com
Town where you live
Tumwater
Experience (300 characters max)
I am a retired Army soldier, enlisted and an officer. My last assignment was as a commander in Afghanistan. I am a retired teacher and school counselor. I have substituted in the Tumwater school district over the last five years. I know what teachers, parents, students need to succeed.
I have been working in schools as a volunteer and paid educator since the early 1990s. I have been the elected Parent Teacher Organization president at two different schools. I’ve been a high school teacher and a member of the administrative team, as a school counselor, at numerous schools - preschool to high school. My experience with parents, students and other educational professionals prepared me for this position.
The number one pressing issue for the TSD is to get the budget back under control, spending within its means.
I want to increase the graduation rate and correspondingly assist more graduates with post graduate employment, training, and/or college.
I want to vastly increase student knowledge (raise test scores). Students got behind because of COVID and some additional remediation, especially in math and reading, is necessary.
The extra money provided during COVID has dried up. Cutbacks have happened at the end of the ‘24-‘25 school year. New budgeting process needs to include teacher unions, office worker union, parents, and the district office. A fair and balanced cutting of the budget to get spending below revenues needs to happen. I hope that process was done for next year, but the district office already says a new loan will have to be taken out to cover expenses. I want to be a part of the solution.
I’m assuming this question is really asking, “how would I help the district ensure the safety of all students in the district?” Keep tackling bullying issues, make sure each building is as “safety-proofed” as it can be, stand up for every student regardless of their differences. More guns in schools does not mean more safety. Keep student cell phones out of the hands of students during the school day. Take safety drills seriously.
There needs to be more educational staff in classrooms (closer to students), teachers, aides, paraprofessionals, counselors, social workers. Parents need to be provided more opportunities and encouraged to volunteer in school buildings. Students need to hear more about things they are allowed to do than hearing about what they can’t do.
Phone
(360) 388-1871
Experience (300 characters max)
I have experience serving on the advisory team of a private school where we consult on policy, budgeting, staffing and school safety and operations. I also served on the district budget advisory committee and equity team.
I have experience serving on both the Tumwater School District Budget Advisory Committee and the Equity Committee. The Budget Advisory Committee provided a strong foundation in school funding models, spending requirements, expenditures, and revenue options. The Equity Committee offered opportunities to collaborate with stakeholders on how best to support all students and staff in our district. Additionally, I serve on an advisory team for a private school, where I help shape educational policies, consult on budgets, and navigate the balance between staff and student needs. As a foster parent, I work with a multifaceted team to support families and children. This role has deepened my understanding of how to advocate for vulnerable communities and has given me valuable experience with state laws and WAC regulations related to caregiving.
The three most pressing issues facing our district are improving educational outcomes, establishing a sustainable budget, and maintaining community trust and support. Educational outcomes must always be our top priority—it's both a legal and moral responsibility to prepare students for life after high school. Like many districts, we are facing financial challenges, and we must build a budget that is sustainable for future boards and attractive to future staff and students. Additionally, recent disagreements in our district have led to protests and controversy. As board members, we have the opportunity to model respectful dialogue, even in disagreement, and to keep our focus on what matters most—student success—rather than being sidetracked by divisive cultural issues.
The most important issue is always the academic success and post–high school preparedness of our students. I would support this by referring to our district’s completed strategic plan and ensuring that financial resources align with the learning goals outlined in that plan. For example, we must ensure we are meeting early reading intervention benchmarks and adjust financial resources if necessary. The strategic plan provides measurable outcomes, and I would work to ensure we are actively pursuing those goals. We can also learn from other districts that are seeing success—I strongly believe in researching and applying lessons from both their successes and their challenges. It’s equally important to listen to feedback from our teachers to understand how we can support both educators and students through policy, keeping our academic standards high.
Ensuring the safety of all students is of utmost priority. Maintaining our School Resource Officer (SRO) program at all schools is essential. Clear, communicated, and concise safety protocols are also paramount, including adequate fencing, physical perimeter security, secure door locks, and well-defined procedures for visitors as well as for staff and students exiting the facilities during the day. Emergency preparedness, including regular drills and practices, is important for maintaining composure and minimizing harm during an incident. There must also be thorough staff screening and transparent policies for handling issues involving students. Additionally, policies regarding student altercations should enforce strict repercussions for any incidents that threaten the physical safety of students or staff.
I believe balancing the needs of students, teachers, and parents starts with following the law, but goes much further by actively involving parents—they’re the most important partners in their kids’ education. I also think it’s essential to listen to students so we truly understand their classroom and school experience. Teachers are passionate about doing what’s best for students, so working closely with them helps us meet those needs effectively. While it won’t always be perfect, regularly reevaluating our approach and working together transparently will help us achieve the most success. My goal is to build a supportive, education-focused community where teachers feel valued and energized, so they can stay focused on what matters most—helping students succeed.
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