Vote Mike McGowan For Tumwater School Board Position #5
WELCOME
I have lived in Thurston County for 35 years. My family and I moved to the Tumwater School District eleven years ago, and both my granddaughters are now students in the district. I spent 27 years as a youth librarian working closely with teachers, administration, and families in our local public schools.
All Tumwater students need a safe environment to learn. Tumwater teachers deserve our support to continue their work. Taxpayers want to see effective use of their tax dollars.
Tumwater School Board directors have responsibilities that include: budget, policy development, curriculum approval, planning, and communications. The Tumwater School District faces enormous challenges, as do many public schools across the country. Not the least of these challenges are potential budget shortfalls. I was elected to represent my community for three terms on the Yelm City Council and served nine years on the Budget Committee. That experience gives me the technical know-how to understand these issues and effect practical solutions to achieve positive outcomes for our community.
Elected Experience
Yelm City Council, 2006-2015.
Thurston County Home Consortium.
Solid Waste Advisory Committee.
Other Experience
Library Associate, Yelm Timberland Library
Education
State University of New York at Buffalo, BA in political science.
Community Service
Best Elected Official, Nisqually Valley News.
Yelm Community Schools, Certificate of Appreciation.
Best Librarian, Nisqually Valley News.
Endorsements:
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Washington Education Association
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Olympia Indivisible
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Thurston-Lewis-Mason Central Labor Council
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Thurston County Democrats
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Thurston County Democratic Women
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Angela Jefferson, Tumwater City Council
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Kevin McGowan, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, Brighton Central School District 2023 AASA National Superintendent of the Year.
Mike McGowan: Olympia Indivisible Candidate Report
Tumwater School Board, Seat 5
Mike McGowan is running for election to obtain a seat on the Tumwater School Board. Mike is an active granddad to two TSD students.
Mike was disturbed by the board’s February 27, 2025 vote in support of resolution 09-24-25, indicating the board’s support for the WIAA’s (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) proposed resolution to ban trans athletes from competing in girls’ sports. That resolution has since failed to pass.
Mike’s relevant experience includes working in youth services at Yelm’s Timberland Library branch as well as time spent serving on Yelm City Council. His nine-year tenure on YCC included time on the Budget Committee, while his time at the Timberland Library afforded him experience in challenges to material, which he states as an important part of discourse, noting that books are often tools in upending ignorance and bigotry. Mike also served on the Thurston County Home Consortium. Notably, Mike was the sole “no” vote in a 2012 decision regarding purchases of water rights from a local golf course, stating that while he did agree with this settlement, he was compelled to vote “no” based on a lack of transparency afforded to the people of Yelm.
This desire for transparency is another driving force in Mike’s candidacy. He cites that the TSD’s budget is not accessible to the average community member, and states that more input from the public and interested parties regarding the board’s decisions is needed. His time as a city councilor has afforded him experience surrounding improvements to planning and communication while his budget-based work has granted him insight into fundraising and sustainable financial decisions. He is versed in levee lifts, including those that have failed, and has a good understanding of General Fund balances and how they affect spending at the local level.
Lastly, Mike does not agree with what he perceives as a lack of transparency from TSD’s board, noting a recent meeting’s location move to Little Rock, where public transportation fails to meet the need for a large meeting across the district, did not meet the needs of the community. Further, he would like to see enhanced communication between the board, teachers, and community members. Transparency is a continuous thread for Mike.