♪♪
-Seattle school District Number 1,
also known as the Seattle School Board.
The Seattle School Board adopts the policies
that govern Seattle Public Schools.
The board provides direction for the educational program,
and hires and evaluates
the superintendent of Seattle schools.
Seven directors make up the school board.
Each director represents a district within the city.
This year, three of the seats are on the primary ballot.
Candidates for Districts 1, 3, and 6 will appear on
the August 1 primary election ballot.
If you live within School District 1, 3, or 6,
you will have the opportunity to vote for the board position
representing your district in the primary.
♪♪
-Hi.
I'm Liza Rankin, your Seattle School Board vice president
and mom of two students in Seattle Public Schools.
As a current board member and a longtime PTSA leader,
I've worked over a decade alongside families,
educators, and communities across Seattle
to improve experiences, opportunities,
and outcomes for students in our public schools.
Throughout my first term,
I've demonstrated an unwavering commitment
to equity and continuous improvement
while navigating the challenges of a global pandemic.
I've led efforts to increase inclusion,
access to outdoor learning, gun violence prevention,
and equity in grading and assessment.
I led policy work to ban isolation
and limit restraint in SPS --
practices that disproportionately impact
students of color and with disabilities.
Our policy is a model across the state
to increase support for preventative
and restorative practices that benefit all children.
As the Board's legislative liaison,
I successfully advocated for additional state resources
for special education,
access to career and technical education,
and record investments in behavioral health support
for students recovering from pandemic disruption and trauma.
I'm running for re-election
because we are at a critical time for public education.
Not only has the pandemic disrupted learning,
impacted behavioral and mental health,
and altered the district's relationship with families,
but nationally, we face increased intolerance
and attacks on public school's boards, students, and staff.
We need directors who know our communities and schools,
who understand budget complexities
and enrollment challenges,
and can navigate the many demands of our system
while remaining focused on high-quality education
to all students.
With your vote, I'll build on my record.
And I'm committed to rebuilding
not only trust and confidence,
but joy and excitement
throughout our education system.
Together, we can support schools that meet the diverse needs
of our learners, and are the first choice
for all of Seattle's families.
And I thank you for your support.
♪♪
-Hi. My name is Debbie Carlsen.
And I'm running for Seattle School Board Director
in District 1.
Our public schools have been critical at bringing opportunity
and learning to generations of Seattle's children,
but we have much more work to do
to increase academic achievement,
ensure every student has a healthy and inclusive
learning environment, and the school district
is managed with transparency and accountability.
I've lived in Seattle for 27 years,
and over the past 15 years,
I've served on the Best Start for Kids Advisory Board,
as executive director of an LGBTQ+ nonprofit,
as interim policy director for NAMI Washington,
which is National Alliance on Mental Illness
and as mobilizing contractor for Children's Alliance.
I was a community organizer for Hotel
and Restaurant Employees Local 8,
and currently I am an early learning educator.
As Olympic Hills PTA advocacy chair,
I have a firsthand understanding of challenges
and opportunities in our schools.
I'm running to be a strong LGBTQ voice on the school board,
and ensure children of all identities
feel a sense of belonging in their schools.
The inequities in academic achievement
still need urgent attention and focus to make the school
district an excellent learning environment.
My vision here, in becoming a school board member --
one, ensuring every student feels a sense
of belonging in their schools,
that no matter what your identity is,
students can thrive and feel safe
while gaining a high-quality education.
Two, implementing a robust community engagement process,
especially when big district decisions need to be made
that center communities farthest from educational opportunities.
And three, bringing more transparency
back in the budget and policy development process.
I'm excited to take my experience in education,
community organizing, and labor
to get pragmatic results for all students.
I'd be honored to earn your vote.