“Mike Scott will run for the school board position being vacated by incumbent Doug Picha. My wife and I have always loved the high value this community places on education, Scott said, and we’ve had a good experience with the Bainbridge schools. So I want to work to make it a good experience for others.Scott and his wife Donna, who moved to the island from Seattle 12 years ago, have three children at Wilkes, Sakai and Woodward schools.Scott is himself the product of public education.His father’s Air Force career took the family around the globe, so Scott attended schools in Hawaii, Turkey and Florida. His family’s roots are in Washington State, though. Scott says he would bring no particular education agenda to the Bainbridge school board, except to serve in whatever capacity he is needed.I do have an interest in curriculum development, he said, but my concern is really with the overall quality of the schools. Scott has served as a volunteer for the school district in several capacities. He has sat on several bond levy committees for the school district in recent years, including the 1998 levy that raised funds for the high school construction. At the classroom level, Scott has helped with field trips and other projects. He and his wife are active members of Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church.An attorney for the Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson firm in Seattle, Scott also finds time to do volunteer work for Seattle non-profits.He sat for five years on the board of the non-profit Elderhealth, which provides health care for elderly clients, before assuming board presidency two years ago.Scott prefers to spend his recreation time on Bainbridge, however, hiking, biking, reading and attending theater productions.Other interests include enjoying his daughters’ performances at the Dance Center and his son’s soccer and T-ball games. There may be less time for recreation in the days ahead; Scott said that if elected, his next year would be full of challenges. I’ve never run for office in my life, Scott said. It’s a weird feeling. Picha announced earlier this year that he will vacate the position he has held for a single term.So far, Scott is running unopposed, although he cites rumors of another candidate. To prepare himself for school board duties, Scott recently read through all the minutes from the last few years and met with each school board member. I was very impressed with what a nice group they are, and how well they get along, Scott said. I look forward to working side by side with them. “