Candidate Profile: Mary Alice Heuschel

What is your full, legal name?   Mary Alice Olivia Heuschel

Where do you work and what is your job title?   Renton School District, Superintendent

When and Where Were You Born?   10/20/61  Providence, RI

Where do you live now and how long have you lived there?   Renton , 5 years

Spouse or domestic partner if any:   Eugene Heuschel

Children:    Gene, Brian, Tony, Josh

Education (include graduation date(s), if any):  Doctorate - Educational Leadership, 2004; Supt. Certification, 1994; Principal Certification 1992; Master's - Special Education, 1986; Bachelors - K-12 Education, 1983

Military Service (include year(s) of discharge, if any):   None 

Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations: Renton Rotary, Renton Chamber of Commerce, Washington Association of School Administrators, Washington State School Directors Association, Association of Washington School Principals   

Have you or a business you owned (or had principal interest in) ever filed bankruptcy?   No

As an adult, have you been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation?   No

If so, please explain and include dates and locations.  

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION:  

Web site: www.electmaryalice.com

Email address: Phone number: electmaryalice@yahoo.com, (425) 572-6806

Campaign manager: Joseph Timmons

Campaign manager contact information: josephatimmons@gmail.com

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S):  

Elected:    None

Other campaigns for public office:    None

THIS CAMPAIGN:  

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

As an educator, and in my current role as Superintendent of the Renton School District, I see the direct connection between quality health care and a student’s readiness to learn.  The newly formed Alliance between the Valley Medical and UW Medicine is a major step forward in giving us access to the finest medical care and medical research facilities anywhere. This Alliance must be developed and sustained to the benefit of all. As a Valley Medical Center Commissioner, I will provide the leadership needed to responsibly integrate these organizations and I will be accountable for the benefits to our public.

What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why? 

Priorities:

1.       Public access to the highest quality of health care

2.       Patient safety

3.       Responsible board leadership, especially in the areas of appropriate policy development, responsible, transparent decision-making, fiscal discipline and accountability to taxpayers - and the effective development of the recent Alliance between Valley Medical and UW Medicine.

    Why: 

1. Public access to the highest quality of health care: Quality care and access to excellent healthcare providers is an essential component to the quality of life we enjoy in our communities.

2. Patient safety: Patient safety must be maintained in order to provide quality medical care

3. Responsible board leadership: One of the most important roles of the Commissioner is to make sure local residents and communities have a voice in District policy. Commissioners establish policy, set budgets, and pay bills. It is an executive oversight position, requiring negotiating skills, accountability on fiscal decisions, the ability to get people to work together, an understanding of the role of health care in the community, and, most important,  leadership experience.

What sets you apart from the other candidates and/or previous office holders?  

I will bring the same commitment I have brought to the Renton community in my role as Superintendent, to serving as the next Commissioner. As someone dedicated to service – from the classroom to our community - my candidacy is guided by a steadfast belief that we have a responsibility to address the diverse needs of our citizens. As my record demonstrates – I will provide the fiscally responsible leadership while working to insure the Valley Medical and UW Medicine Alliance deliver the very best health care possible.

As an independent voice, I pledge to serve the interests of Constituents. I am committed to develop and sustain the most effective and financially sound health care system available – and I will govern the Alliance by ushering in a new spirit of collaboration and open, transparent, responsible decision-making.

How much money do you expect your campaign to spend on this election?  $50,000 Primary, $70,000 Election