Geoffery McAnalloy was sworn in as a member of the Federal Way Public Schools Board of Directors during the board’s Dec. 10 meeting.

McAnalloy, who unseated long-time board member Ed Barney, said he hopes he can help contribute to the continuing work of the district moving forward.

“Hopefully we can look at some of the things that have been done in the past to make sure that we move forward in the best interest of every child, all 22,000 of them in the district,” McAnalloy said. “We have to look and make sure that we are truly providing and investing in meeting them right where they’re at to give them the best opportunity to be the most successful they can.”

McAnalloy also said he hopes to be more inclusive of teachers, administrators and parents during his term on the board.

“I’ve heard it clearly from the community in the last few months that we need to be transparent, and maybe look at some things differently,” he said. “And hopefully with Carol (Gregory, the other new board member) and I being new directors, we can bring some different insight, a different lens to look at, and possibly, perhaps make sure we have a complete partnership with our community, our educators and everybody involved in taking care of our 22,000 students.”

Following McAnalloy’s swearing in, the board voted for the president and vice-president positions.

McAnalloy nominated board member Danny Peterson. Peterson was accepted in a 3-0 vote, with McAnalloy, board member Tony Moore and Peterson all voting yes.

Claire Wilson, the sitting president as of the Dec. 10 meeting, abstained from the vote.

Wilson filled the position after Moore got entangled with legal issues in Oregon earlier this year.

“I’m honored to serve as president and look forward to serving our great district moving forward,” Peterson said.

Moore nominated McAnalloy for vice-president, resulting in the same 3-0 vote with Wilson abstaining.

“I believe (McAnalloy) has done a great amount of homework in preparing to serve the board, I have met with him on two occasions, I believe that he will do an outstanding job,” Moore said in his motion to nominate McAnalloy. “I believe he will provide a fresh voice on the board, and I would like to see his contribution on a leadership level.”

Gregory was absent at the Dec. 10 meeting due to a prior commitment. It’s expected she will be sworn in at the board’s first meeting in January.