Three candidates have applied to fill the Centralia School Board vacancy left by Kayla Mounts after she resigned from her position in August.
Monique Farland, Leah Sisemore and Fatima Arceo are set to be interviewed by the remaining board members during a special board meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
According to Wednesday’s meeting agenda, the board members — President Tim Browning, Vice President Deb Parnham, Sarah Holmes and Lisa Leon — are scheduled to discuss the candidates’ qualifications in an executive session following the interviews, before deciding whether to vote on a candidate during the new business portion of the meeting.
The superintendent, Dr. Lisa Grant, does not vote on board members.
The Centralia School District included the candidates’ resumes and letters of interest in its board meeting agenda packet.
Monique Farland
Monique Farland has lived in Lewis County for seven years and is the president-elect of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Lewis County branch. She also serves as chair of the League of Women Voters of Lewis County.
“This work has given me a close, practical understanding of how Lewis County residents engage with public institutions, and how important it is for those institutions to be transparent, responsive, and accountable to the community they serve,” Farland said in her letter of interest.
Farland, who obtained an associate of applied science degree in accounting from Centralia College, cited experience working with representatives from the offices of U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell on issues affecting Lewis County. Her daughter is a graduate of the Chehalis School District’s VISIONS program, which helps prepare young adults with disabilities for post-secondary education, employment and independent living.
“I want to bring that same attentiveness to the board's work on behalf of all Centralia students and families,” Farland said.
According to her resume, Farland works as an individual provider for the Developmental Disabilities Administration, as well as an IT field technician for the Olympia School District.
Leah Sisemore
Leah Sisemore is a longtime member of the Centralia community and parent of current and graduated Centralia School District students.
“I have experienced our schools through different children, ages, strengths and needs, giving me both a longtime connection to the district and the perspective of a parent actively navigating it today,” Sisemore said in her letter of interest.
Sisemore, who obtained a bachelor of applied science degree in behavioral healthcare from Centralia College, cited her background in behavioral health, public systems, program management and community partnerships as a strength of her candidacy. She said she cares deeply about preparing students beyond graduation and believes effective governance is built on relationships.
“I am comfortable reviewing budgets, contracts, policies and legislation, asking thoughtful questions, and working collaboratively with people who bring different expertise and perspectives,” Sisemore said.
According to her resume, Sisemore works as a provider relationship account manager for Carelon Behavioral Health. She previously worked as a program manager for the Washington state Department of Commerce.
Fatima Arceo
Fatima Arceo is a 2020 graduate of Centralia High School who works as a legal assistant for Althauser Rayan Abbarno LLP.
Arceo expressed a strong desire to give back to her community and said her fluency in Spanish would allow her to better communicate with families in the diverse Centralia community.
“As someone whose parents experienced language barriers and sometimes remained quiet out of fear of embarrassing themselves or being made fun of, I understand how difficult it can be for parents to feel that their voices are not being heard,” Arceo said in her letter of interest. “It would be an honor to help be a voice for those parents.”
Arceo noted a decade of experience working at her parents’ restaurant, Plaza Jalisco.
“Through that experience, I have learned the ins and outs of running a business and have developed a strong understanding of responsibility, teamwork, customer service, and the importance of being involved in our community,” Arceo said.
Replacing Mounts
Mounts resigned from her position in mid-August after serving for about a year, citing a desire to step back from her responsibilities since becoming a grandmother.
“I have enjoyed seeing things from this side of the table, and a fresh perspective,” Mounts said in a district news release. “If it weren’t for family needs, I would not be stepping down from the school board. It has been an honor to serve Centralia.”
According to the release, Mounts joined the board with nearly 15 years of experience in public education, which included roles as a public school employee and adjunct professor. She previously taught as an elementary school teacher in Rainier.
Mounts was sworn in on July 30, 2025. She replaced Maritza Bravo, who resigned June 18, 2025. Bravo had served as a board member since 2022.
The remaining board members began accepting letters of interest and resumes on Aug. 14 and closed the application window of Aug. 28.
