A view of where school board meetings used to occur on the gym floor of the old Banks High School. (Jaime Valdez/Forest Grove News-Times)

Election season is right around the corner, and the Banks School District has some empty seats to fill.

The 2025 special district election will take place May 20. All prospective candidates have filed their paperwork, and ballots will be mailed to voters April 30.

In Banks, three school board seats are up for election, but only one race is contested. Three of the four candidates bring experience on the Banks School District board, with one newcomer making a bid.

Leslee Sipp, Position 1

Incumbent Leslee Sipp is running again to keep her Position 1 seat on the Banks school board after being elected in 2021.

A retired educator and longtime Banks resident, Sipp carries more than 35 years of experience as an educator in the Banks School District, according to filing documents, and she attended North Idaho College, Eastern Washington University and Portland Community College. She did not have prior government experience before taking up the school board seat four years ago.

According to Sipp, she is a member of the Banks Chamber of Commerce, and she is presently volunteering with first graders, helping Banks High School students create a documentary on the city’s historic high school and plans to teach history to local third graders.

“My goals are to continue to ensure our students have a quality education, to support our administrators and staff and include the community in our decision making,” Sipp said in the Washington County voters’ pamphlet. “It has been a great honor to serve in that position and I am looking forward to serving again. Education has always been a priority in my life and making sure our students get all they need to lead successful lives in their future.”

Sipp is challenged by Jodi Hailey for Position 1 in the Banks School District’s only contested race — marking a rematch after the two faced off for the seat in 2021.

If elected, Sipp will serve a four-year term.

Jodi Hailey, Position 1

After running for Banks school board position 1 four years ago, Jodi Hailey is back for another shot to grab the seat.

Hailey, a Forest Grove resident, earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Stanford University and a master’s in teaching from Seattle University. A mother of five and local chapter leader for the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, a nonprofit against identity-based practices like some diversity and inclusion programs, she has a background in teaching but no prior governmental experience.

In the voters’ pamphlet, Hailey noted that she has been advocating for protecting girls’ sports, reviewing library materials and engaging the community regarding the planned demolition of the historic Banks High School building over the past few years.

“In 2025, I am here because of my frustration with the current board’s insufficient commitment to seek out and abide by the will of our community. Our board did not stand up to the COVID tyrannies. Nor has it taken up any of the above — still entirely relevant — issues,” Hailey said. “Local control of our public schools means Banks community members — not the state, nor even school administration — should be making decisions related to these vital issues.”

Hailey is up against Leslie Sipp for Position 1 in the Banks School District’s only contested race — marking a rematch after the two faced off for the seat in 2021.

If elected, Hailey will serve a four-year term.

Corissa Mazurkiewicz, Position 2

Corissa Mazurkiewicz, who currently holds Position 2 on the Banks school board after being elected in 2021, is running unopposed to retain her seat.

Mazurkiewicz works as a research assistant professor in the College of Education at Pacific University, with 25 years of experience in K-12 schools and multiple university settings, according to her filing documents. She holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Southern Illinois University, a master’s in special education from the University of Hawaii and a doctorate in education and leadership from Pacific University.

Among Mazurkiewicz’s priorities are improving reading, writing and math scores, keeping schools safe, and maintaining fiscal responsibility with the district’s recently approved bond money, according to her statement in the Washington County voters’ pamphlet.

“I am running for re-election so that I can continue to advocate for all students in this community and build on the positive momentum that our district has achieved over the past four years,” Mazurkiewicz said.

If elected, Mazurkiewicz will serve a four-year term.

Rob Frame, Position 4

The current chair of the school board, Ron Frame, is running unopposed for the Banks School District Position 4 board seat.

Frame, who grew up in Banks, is currently employed as an architect at Corbin Consulting Engineers, and he earned his bachelor’s degree in architecture from Portland State University. He previously coached youth summer sports and has served on multiple committees within the school district, including his current role on the facility committee.

The school board member said his priorities for the next few years lie in supporting students, parents, teachers and administrators, providing a “professional voice” in relation to bond improvements, and advocating for a review of the school district boundary.

“I am running for this position because of my vested interest in the school district’s success,” Frame said in the voters’ pamphlet.

If elected, Frame will serve a four-year term.