School boards, by their very nature, are tasked with hard choices, tough decisions involving families’ children and money.

The La Conner school board last Thursday faced a tough choice of a different kind – whom to select to fill the unexpired term of Swinomish director district representative Amanda Bourgeois, who resigned in February after three years.

The decision was hard, board members said afterward, because all three applicants were well qualified.

Yet, ironically, it was also an easy assignment, given that the board felt it couldn’t go wrong choosing any one of candidates Loran James, Charlie Edwards or Dean Dan, Jr.

In the end, after convening 45 minutes in executive session upstairs from the public meeting room, the board agreed upon James, a former La Conner classroom teacher and now Swinomish Indian Tribal Community education partners supervisor and Lady Braves head softball coach.

“It was a tough decision,” said board member J.J. Wilbur, the Shelter Bay director district rep. “It went down to the last second, almost as we were walking back down the stairs. Any one of them would’ve been great.”

James, a son of the late Landy James, the legendary teacher-coach for whom the district’s high school gymnasium is named, was sworn into his new role during the board’s Monday afternoon study session.

The Swinomish seat will be on the ballot in November for a full four-year term, board president Susie Deyo said prior to the three-hour applicant interview process, which she termed as a “conversation to get to know the candidates.”

No candidate indicated if he intends to file for the fall election. Each shared his insights into public education and what they see as celebrations and challenges unique to La Conner.

“I’m here for the kids,” said James, a 1985 La Conner High School grad and three-sport standout who earned a degree from Central Washington University. “On the school board, it’s all about the kids. It’s an important role.”

James said the district can celebrate the diversity of its student population and the dedication and versatile skill sets of its teachers and staff. A major challenge, he said, is building relationships with families in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that forced an extended period of remote learning.

“Parents have sought alternatives for education,” he said. “We need to regain the trust of many of our community parents that we’re making the right decisions. There’s change in place that isn’t being seen yet.

“There’s a lot that’s going on here that’s amazing,” James stressed. “I’m not coming into this position because things aren’t being run well. I think we’re going in a good direction.

“I know we’re down in numbers, and it’s tough,” he added, referring to current and projected declines in student enrollment. “We need to let the community know what a great school we have.”

James has been an attendance officer. Effective communication is a key factor in securing sustained academic success for students, he said.