FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
November 29, 2021  

Bellevue School District to Welcome Two New School Board Members 

       BELLEVUE, Wash. — The Bellevue School District is pleased to welcome two new members to its board of directors. Joyce Shui and Jane Aras will represent constituents for District 3 and District 5, respectfully. Both Shui and Aras will be officially sworn in at the December 2 school board meeting.  King County Elections certified the results on November 23.    

"We were fortunate to have an exceptional group of candidates who were all passionate about serving each and every student in our community," Bellevue School District Interim Superintendent, Art Jarvis, remarked. "Our school community believes that both Jane and Joyce best represent the interest of our students and families. The district looks forward to working together to ensure our children have the greatest educational opportunities possible."   

Joyce Shui is a graduate of Harvard University, a resident of Washington state for over 25 years, and serves as a lead senior legal counsel for SAP, the third-largest software company globally. She is also a parent in the district and asserts to support transparent leadership and community involvement in board decisions while supporting educators and staff.  

Jane Aras earned her master's degree in special education and has taught both special and general education. She has developed individualized education plans and implemented social-emotional programs in classrooms for students. She is a parent in the district and attests to the importance of maintaining community-focused approaches to education that center on the whole child.   

The new members will join three others on the board of directors, each representing a geographic district. Together, the directors will lead Bellevue School District as one of the larger districts in Washington state. The district's five-year strategic plan lists the areas of opportunity: 

• Providing high-quality instruction at all levels in every classroom 
• Aligning systems and structures across the district and at every school 
• Building upon and maintaining safe, secure, and stable learning environments  

The Bellevue School District, with nearly 20,000 students and 29 schools, is diverse and dynamic in East King County, Washington. Its mission is "To serve every student academically, socially, and emotionally, through a rigorous and relevant education that is innovative and individualized. As a learning community that values one another's humanity, we strive to provide courageous support for an equitable and exceptional education for all students."    

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