The race for Position 2 on the board of Vancouver Public Schools comes down to an experienced leader vs. a newcomer seeking to make a difference. The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends that Mark Stoker and Anthony Licerio advance out of the Aug. 1 primary to face off in the general election.
That outcome appears likely, considering that a third candidate — Shantel Okorie — will appear on the ballot but says she has dropped out of the race. While Stoker and Licerio are poised to advance, we again must note that our recommendation is simply that — a recommendation. The Columbian trusts that voters will study the candidates and the issues.
During an interview with The Columbian’s Editorial Board, it became clear that Stoker is well-versed on those issues and is a strong candidate to remain on the school board. He has served since 2007, helping to shepherd the district through the Great Recession and through necessary changes in public education.
Licerio comes into the campaign with a focus on closing achievement gaps for underprivileged and minority students. In his campaign materials, he writes, “I will work to provide equitable access to resources no matter who you are or where you live in the district and address the systemic issues that impact our quality of life and the education of our students.”
