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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Blaine School Board is a local board, established by the Washington State Legislature. Although each of the five members comes from a different geographical area in the district, all board members are elected by all Blaine School District voters. Board members serve a four-year term without pay. Click here to access maps of the geographical areas represented by each director. Director district boundary maps and descriptions are also linked from the board member profiles shown below.

The board's primary task is to formulate and evaluate general policies for the operation of the school district. The board's legal responsibilities are to:

  • Establish general policy for the school district

  • Adopt and revise the annual operating budget

  • Select the Superintendent of Schools

  • Exercise the power to administer schools conferred by the state legislature

  • Keep the public informed on the needs and progress of the education system.

The Blaine School Board encourages the public to take an active part in the educational affairs of the district and extends an invitation to the community to attend school board meetings. All board meetings are open to the public, with the exception of the executive sessions where personnel, property acquisition, sales, litigation or collective bargaining matters are discussed. Individuals with disabilities who may need a modification to participate in a meeting should contact the Superintendent’s Office no later than three days before a regular meeting and as soon as possible in advance of a special meeting so that special arrangements can be made.

The board's regular monthly meeting takes place in the District Boardroom at 7:00 p.m. on the 4th Monday of each month, except in December and when there is a conflict with a holiday. Click here to view the Board Meeting Calendar. Board policies and meeting materials, including agendas and minutes, can be viewed in BoardDocs. Questions may be directed to the Superintendent's Office at 360-332-5881.

Written communications to the board should be addressed to the school board chairman and can be emailed to comments@blainesd.org or mailed to:

Board of Directors
Blaine School District
765 H Street
Blaine, WA 98230

Kimberly Akre, Director District 1

DIRECTOR DISTRICT #1

Kimberly Akre

Kimberly Akre moved to Blaine with her family in 1977 and attended Blaine schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade. She attended Whatcom Community College and studied early childhood education before leaving to work in the family business. She and her husband Adam have two children who have attended the Blaine schools. In recent years she has served as a board member and president of the Blaine Chamber of Commerce as well as a board member and president of the Western Building Materials Association. She owns Pacific Building Center with her sister and together they have a strong focus on supporting the community of Blaine.

Phone: 360-961-0083
Email: kakre@blainesd.org
Term Expires: December 2023

Dougal Thomas

DIRECTOR DISTRICT #2

Dougal Thomas
2023 Board President
WIAA Contact

Dougal Thomas and his family moved back to Blaine in 2004. He has a background in education working both as a teacher and as a coach. He holds both a Bachelor of Education degree as well as a Masters of Education degree. He has been involved in the Blaine community as a board member and President of Blaine Youth Basketball. He is also a board member on the Blaine Scholarship Foundation committee which raises scholarship money for Blaine High School graduates. He is part owner and Vice President of West Mechanical Heating and Air Conditioning. Dougal and his wife Suzanne have 2 children who currently attend Blaine Schools.

Phone: 360-332-2923
Email:dthomas@blainesd.org
Term Expires: December 2023

Erika Creydt

DIRECTOR DISTRICT #3

Erika Creydt
Legislative Representative

Erika is a psychologist and has provided counseling to youth for 17 years. She conducted psychological assessments in Chicago Catholic Schools for special needs, and she taught graduate classes. She was first educated through the Blaine School District (K-12), holds a BA in Philosophy and Psychology, a MA in Couples and Family Therapy, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Erika is third generation in Blaine, married, and has three school-age children. She has been involved in the Blaine School District since childhood first as a student from kindergarten through 12th grade, later as a parent, and also through meeting the mental health needs in our community over the years. Erika wants a strong education for children in Blaine and to see the Blaine School District thrive. She cares deeply about the future of the Blaine School District and about having it be a system that gives our children a solid foundation where their gifts can be nurtured.

Phone: 360-990-3848
Email: ecreydt@blainesd.org
Term Expires: December 2025

Charles Gibson

DIRECTOR DISTRICT #4

Charles E. Gibson
2023 Board Vice President

Charles Gibson and his family moved to Blaine in 1992 for him to attend graduate school at Regent College at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. During their time here, Charles became pastor of Northwood Alliance Church in 1994, his wife, Margaret, became a school nurse in 1996, and all four of the Gibson children attended and graduated from Blaine Public Schools. Charles has prior experience with the needs of children from twenty years as executive director of New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranches which included residential child care, a private adoption agency and education programs. Charles was appointed to the school board in 2006 and was then elected to the board in 2007.

Phone: 360-332-3830
Email: cgibson@blainesd.org
Term Expires: December 2023

Don Leu,

DIRECTOR DISTRICT #5

Don Leu

Don is a retired Professor and Endowed Chair of Literacy and Technology at the University of Connecticut. He completed his masters degree at Harvard and his Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley. He was born in Bellingham and his family has resided in Whatcom County since 1910. A former Peace Corps Volunteer, he was an elementary grade teacher and reading specialist in the San Francisco Bay area. He is the author of over 17 books on reading and literacy and over 100 research studies. He helped design ePIRLS and PISA, international assessments of reading. He is devoted to excellence and in bringing out the best in every child in our wonderful community. He seeks to support Blaine’s teachers and children in achieving the highest possible level of learning, understanding, and empathy for others.

Phone: 860-680-3752
Email: dleu@blainesd.org
Appointment Expires: December 2023 (Term Expires: December 2025)