Eugene Peterson was appointed to serve his first term on the Board of Education in July 2002, and was reappointed in July 2007.

Mr. Peterson helped initiate the annual Health and Wellness Fair and has been a staunch supporter of the adoption of an affirmative action plan by the school system. He also has advocated in support of alternative education options for students.

Mr. Peterson has worked for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration since entering Federal service in 1991.  He is currently the Compliance Officer/Supervisor in the NHTSA’s Office of Civil Rights. Before entering federal service, Mr. Peterson was appointed by the governor and served as the governor’s Representative and Director of the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission from 1989 to 1991.

Mr. Peterson has been active in the local and County Council of PTAs for many years. In 2006 he served on the Board of Directors of the National PTA.  That same year, he also received a gubernatorial appointment to the Task Force to Study Changing the Age of Compulsory Attendance from 16 to 18. Mr. Peterson also serves on the State Superintendent’s Family Involvement Council.

A 1970 cum laude graduate of Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and Woodrow Wilson Fellow, Mr. Peterson received his master’s degree in political science from the University of Washington in 1971.  He has lived in the Russett community since 1996. He is married to Arlette Peterson and is the proud father of Sarah Peterson, a graduate of Meade High School and the University of Delaware.  Sarah is the general music teacher at Brooklyn Park Elementary School.