We are writing in support of our neighbor, Liz Drake, who is running for Federal Way School Board Director, district 3. Liz is a wonderful person — outgoing, energetic, caring and profoundly concerned about the future of our community’s students.

The quote on Liz’s sign really sums up why she is running for this position. Liz believes that “all students can graduate poised for success,” and she is not willing to sit by and allow the shocking school dropout rate to continue.

Liz has a unique background that we believe would be of great value to our schools and to our entire community. Liz has been an educator for four decades and during that time has been a teacher and administrator in England before moving to Pennsylvania, where she continued working as a school district administrator. In 2007, Liz and her family moved to Federal Way. Liz found her way to Todd Beamer High School, where she was principal. The opportunity to choose a candidate that can share such a varied experience from both an eastern U.S. school district as well as from another country is not one we believe should be passed up.

Liz strongly believes that there must be a collaborative effort among parents, school staff and administration, as well as the entire community, to stem the school dropout rate and prepare students to succeed. Liz’s three children are adults, but she has four young grandchildren living in Federal Way, and we know she will work tirelessly to improve our schools both for those grandkids as well as for all students in our community. We have utmost respect for Liz, and we highly recommend her for this position.

Mike and Peggy McKasy, Federal Way