The Tumwater School District faces a crucial moment. With budgets tightening, enrollment shifting and classroom priorities under scrutiny, the district doesn’t need slogans — it needs solid leadership rooted in experience and community understanding.
That’s why The Chronicle Editorial Board is endorsing Sarah Overbay for the Tumwater School Board, District 1.
The Chronicle Editorial Board does not issue many endorsements. In fact, this is the first of this election cycle. But as our readership has grown significantly in Thurston County — while at the same time growing rapidly in Lewis County — we feel it is important to outline why she is needed on the Tumwater School Board.
Overbay’s record is built on service. She’s a mother of six, a licensed foster parent and a volunteer who has spent years in school classrooms, on the Tumwater District Budget Advisory Committee and on the District Equity Committee. She’s helped with youth programs, championed inclusive events such as Olympia’s Night to Shine, and volunteered with Challenger Baseball, where students of all abilities learn teamwork and confidence.
That’s not résumé padding — that’s roots. Overbay has done the work long before filing for office.
Her approach to public education is refreshingly practical: focus on measurable student achievement, responsible spending and respectful partnerships with parents. She understands that supporting teachers and students goes hand-in-hand with keeping taxpayers informed and confident in where their money is going.
She also brings a level-headed perspective to the more divisive topics that have distracted school boards statewide.
Overbay stands for fairness and transparency while reminding the community that compassion and civility are not weaknesses — they’re strengths.
We believe Sarah Overbay represents the best of what local leadership can offer — informed, calm and committed to results over rhetoric.
The Chronicle proudly endorses Sarah Overbay for the Tumwater School Board, District 1.
Her record, her temperament and her values all reflect the kind of leadership Tumwater’s students, families and educators deserve.
