Board President

2020-2023

Irshad Bannister is a 2001 graduate of Whitmer High School.  Elected to the school board in November of 2019, Irshad has resided in the Washington Local community since his early childhood years as he attended Greenwood Elementary.  He has been an active member of the community since joining the varsity football staff in 2012, and coaching in both the youth basketball league and the Washington Junior Football League.  Irshad has volunteered within the Toledo community through his church and serves on several boards throughout northwest Ohio.  Irshad and his wife, Jenna, have four children, Braydon, Niko, Tahj, and Nahla, all of who attend Washington Local Schools.  Irshad is a local business owner in financial services and has been in the industry since graduating from Bowling Green State University and receiving a Master’s Degree from The University of Findlay.

Board Member

2020-2023

Melanie Garcia is a 1984 graduate of Bedford High School, Temperance, MI.   After High School working in the Banking Industry for 18 years and attending Monroe County Community College for 2 years.   She has resided in Washington Local for 23 years, elected to the School Board in November of 2019.  An active community member for the 23 years where it began with an invitation to the Bands Chicken BBQ where the love and dedication to WLS started.  Melanie has been actively involved in 2 parent clubs, parent council, parent mentor, Boy and Girl Scouts, WJLF for Meadowvale Eagles, Whitmer Athletic Club, Whitmer Hockey,  Ability Center of Greater Toledo, Lucas County Board of DD, advocacy in Lucas County along with many charities throughout the City of Toledo.

Bob, Melanie's husband is a retired (25 years of service) police officer, where he was a patrolman, field training officer and a crisis intervention officer.  Bob and Melanie were blessed with triplets in 2000, all attending Washington Local Schools and graduating in 2018.  Since graduation, Mikayla who has diplegia cerebral palsy, works as a  promoter for a local home improvement company.  Reyes serves in the Air National Guard with the 180th FW while working for the Bedford Fire Dept.  And Robert is living life to the fullest with quadriplegia cerebral palsy.

Melanie continues her full commitment to the district and community as an active advocate for not just disabilities but for all.   She willingly and enjoys volunteering and answering the call for help when and where needed.

Board Member

2022-2025

Mark Hughes was elected to the Board in November, 2017. Mark is a 1993 graduate of Whitmer High School. He has been married to his wife, Theresa, for more than 20 years. They have three kids: Keeley, a 2017 Whitmer graduate and a student at the University of Toledo; Mark, II, a 2019 Whitmer graduate and a student at the University of Toledo; and Allie, a student at Whitmer High School. Mark has volunteered years of service to the Washington Local community as the President of the Whitmer Athletic Club, football coach for the Shoreland Firebirds, fast pitch softball coach for the Junior Lady Panthers, and Shoreland area Manager for the Trilby Junior League. Mark possesses a Master's Degree in Health Administration and a Master's Degree in Nursing. He is a Clinical Nursing Director for Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan.

Board Member

2022-2025

Karen was elected to the Board of Education in November 2019. She and her husband, Jerry, have lived in the Washington Local School District since 1995. Their two daughters, Laura and Kathleen, attended Shoreland Elementary where Karen was an art docent, classroom volunteer, and Parent Club President. Both daughters are proud Whitmer graduates who became teachers. Karen has worked for Ottawa Hills Local Schools since 2001: she worked ten years as the curriculum & instruction secretary, and is currently the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent. Karen also enjoys being active in her community and volunteers for local charities.

Board Vice-President

2022-2025

Michael Murphy was elected to the Washington Local School Board in June 2020, and his Panther love is generational. Michael and his wife, Michelle, are both 1987 graduates of Whitmer High School, and Murphy’s three children have also all attended Washington Local Schools. Having lived in the district for over 4 decades, Murphy has coached football and softball at Greenwood, is a lifetime member of the Whitmer Athletic Club, and has been very active promoting and campaigning for Washington Local School levies. While his professional work for the Dana Corporation as a Global Program Manager has given him experience in project management, team negotiations, relationship-building, and responsible fiscal decision-making, he finds the most joy in giving back to the WLS community, organizing clothing drives, orchestrating holiday gift donations and volunteering every Thanksgiving to deliver meals to families in need. Michael Murphy is truly the Portrait of a Panther.