Chris Marks and Paul Mills will seek re-election to the Bellevue School Board this fall.

Board president Marks represents District 3, which includes west Bellevue south of Northeast Eights and north of I-90. Mills, vice president of the board, represents district 5, which includes most of the district south of I-90. Candidates must reside within those areas respectively.

The deadline for filing for election is June 5.

Marks began her service on the board in March 2004 when she was appointed to fill the position vacated by Steve Miller. She was elected to begin her current term in 2005. She works part time at Swedish Medical Center.

“Over the years, I feel I have gained a firm understanding of Bellevue schools and the overall educational system,” Marks said. “I am eager to serve another term on the board and am very excited to work with the new superintendent and the excellent teachers and administrators that make up the district.”

Marks has lived in Bellevue for the past 16 years and three of her four children graduated from Bellevue schools. The youngest is a junior at Bellevue High School.

“I am proud of the district. There are always challenges, but this is a district that keeps working to solve the problems,” she said.

During the eight years Mills has served on the board, he has witnessed many ups and downs in the district.

“This year alone we went through the teacher strike, a budget crunch, cuts, the hiring of a new superintendent and we’ve still come out on top,” Mills said. “I’m ready for the fun stuff and I am looking forward to another term. I have the experience and the understanding of state funding and the district budget that only comes from years of sitting on the board.”

Mills began serving on the board when his children were in Bellevue schools. The youngest is now a freshman at the University of Washington.

“Bellevue schools definitely prepared my boys for the college path and I am proud of all they have accomplished,” he said. “I want to make sure all kids are given that same level of college prep education.”

Mills works has worked as a Banking Center Manager at Bank of America for 18 years.

Lindsay Larin can be reached at 425.453.4602.