STARS IN THE SKY VALLEY: Two hats, one cause

By Valeria Rae

You may have heard the term, maven, in conversation of late. Webster's defines the word as "one who is experienced or knowledgeable.GÇ¥ It also refers to a person who collects information and resources, disseminating it where it is most needed.

This definition could also be used to describe Sue Skillen. Her highly infectious enthusiasm for the welfare of kids contributes to her success as both the community connections coordinator for Monroe Public Schools and executive director of the Monroe Public Schools Foundation.

Sue honed her skills as office manager with Lakeside Industries for many years before becoming involved through the Rotary Club of Monroe, helping acquire funds for construction of Rotary Field "Home of the Miracle League.GÇ¥ This facility is one of the first in the region designed specifically to be fully accessible and usable by children with special needs. As a Rotary Club of Monroe team member, Sue learned how to write grants, which eventually led to her co-teaching grant writing classes.

Sue was hired as the community connections coordinator for Monroe Public Schools in 2008. Because of her skills, experience and dedication to kids, Sue was also offered the part-time position as Monroe Public Schools Foundation executive director.

When asked to describe the Public Schools Foundation, Sue offers their mission statement, which is "to create access and opportunity empowering today's students to become tomorrow's leaders.GÇ¥ She feels it is the perfect description of the goals of the organization, and also provides direction for her work.

The foundation is funded through several sources, including an annual auction, generous payroll deductions from school personnel through the Pay it Forward program and donations from individuals, businesses, families and service organizations, as well as memorial fund scholarships. The foundation also recently received a grant from the Tulalip Charitable Giving Fund.

Sue's activities cover a wide range. As she says, her greatest challenge is the fact that there just isn't enough time in the day. Sue helps coordinate the annual fundraising auction, writes and manages grants, directs the scholarship fund and organizes the New Teacher Breakfast, which includes stuffing bags with special offers from local businesses. In her role as community connections coordinator, she continually works toward making valuable alliances.

As foundation director, Sue ensures the prompt processing of the donated funds directly to students' colleges or training programs in the form of a check from the Foundation.-á She shares that one of the highlights of her job is knowing the efforts of the foundation are providing an impetus for students to further their educations. Vicariously, she imagines their experience at colleges and universities, as they embark to points around the country and even the world.

A recent investment by the foundation was the purchase of portable computer labs for each elementary school. These mobile stations consist of laptops housed on a charging cart that can be moved between classrooms. When the 2010 technology levy failed, a concerned resident donated funds, which were used to expand students' access to technology.

Now that this year's goal is accomplished, the foundation and district are looking at artistic development as the next possible arena for increasing opportunities for kids.

Sue is always looking for new ways to form partnerships between the community and the schools for a direct benefit to kids. One of her most satisfying jobs is to hook up folks who want to contribute in valuable ways, such as tutoring, mentoring, planting flowers, automatic salary deductions, and the scholarship fund. She loves to connect an individual's passion with a need. Just ask her how you can help and she will find the perfect fit.

This animated, inspiring leader speaks with great appreciation of the foundation's last annual auction, during which more money was contributed during the "Raise the PaddleGÇ¥ donation segment than was raised in the entire first auction in 2009. This affirmed for Sue that her work, the commitment of the foundation's board of directors and Monroe Public Schools are realizing their goal of making a difference in the lives of students and staff in our district.

Sue, her husband and children all graduated from Monroe High School. She states proudly that she has the heart of a Bearcat and feels her family has benefited from the public school education offered here in her hometown. She is honored and happy to be able to give back in such a meaningful and significant way, and is particularly appreciative of the support she has received from the foundation board and her district supervisor, Rosemary O'Neil. -á -á

The message from the foundation and the district, which Sue would like to be heard by the Sky Valley community, is that "we are all in for kids,GÇ¥ and there is always room for more.