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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Daggett fills vacant spot on school board


Daggett
 (The Spokesman-Review)
Virginia De Leon Staff writer

Garret Daggett, a utility manager at Avista Advantage who has been involved in promoting diversity issues throughout Spokane, was appointed Friday as the newest member of the Spokane Public Schools board.

Daggett served on equity and diversity groups and advised the board for five years. He is president of the Diversity Advisory Council for Spokane Public Schools.

He will fill the board seat left vacant by longtime member Terri Beaudreau, who is resigning effective June 15 for personal and health reasons.

Twelve people applied for the job, and the school board interviewed six finalists on Thursday. They chose Daggett because of his “history of service and leadership skills,” said Barb Richardson, the board president.

“He has been very active in our schools and the community,” she said. “He’s open; he’s honest; he’s not afraid to deal with issues head-on. … I see Garrett as a person who can bring many diverse parties together to make Spokane a better community for everybody.”

Daggett will be only the second African American to serve on the Spokane school board, which oversees a $270 million budget and makes policy decisions that affect more than 30,000 students.

His appointment comes at a time when the district has been under fire for alleged discrimination against black students. Earlier this year, a Spokane woman alleged that grade-school black children, including her own, were denied a chance to go to the bathroom while in class, but white students were allowed. Virla Spencer’s complaint triggered the third federal investigation this year into discrimination at Spokane Public Schools.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has agreed to look further into Spencer’s complaints alleging racial discrimination, as well as into other charges filed by others who claim that school officials failed to adequately respond to racial slurs and other inappropriate behavior directed at their children.

In earlier interviews, district officials said they welcomed the investigations and are committed to addressing racial discrimination in the schools.

Daggett was unavailable for comment Friday evening.

“One of the big concerns that parents of color have – and rightly so – is the fact they need their children to see people like themselves as teachers, principals and school board members,” said Beaudreau. “He will serve as a role model for our students.”

She also said that Daggett has a “global perspective” and a “real heart for our kids.”

Daggett is a graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., where he received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and communications. For the past few years, he has served as co-chair of “Unity in the Community,” an annual event that promotes diversity and brings together hundreds of people from throughout the Inland Northwest. He is also trustee pro-tem of Spokane’s Bethel AME Church.

Daggett will be sworn into office at the next regular board meeting June 22. His term, however, expires this November, so he will have to run for election to keep the job.