1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,702
♪♪

2
00:00:02,702 --> 00:00:05,205
-Seattle school District
Number 1,

3
00:00:05,205 --> 00:00:08,608
also known as
the Seattle School Board.

4
00:00:08,608 --> 00:00:10,977
The Seattle School Board
adopts the policies

5
00:00:10,977 --> 00:00:13,580
that govern
Seattle Public Schools.

6
00:00:13,580 --> 00:00:16,916
The board provides direction
for the educational program,

7
00:00:16,916 --> 00:00:18,485
and hires
and evaluates

8
00:00:18,485 --> 00:00:21,521
the superintendent
of Seattle schools.

9
00:00:21,521 --> 00:00:24,424
Seven directors make up
the school board.

10
00:00:24,424 --> 00:00:28,028
Each director represents
a district within the city.

11
00:00:28,028 --> 00:00:32,265
This year, three of the seats
are on the primary ballot.

12
00:00:32,265 --> 00:00:36,036
Candidates for Districts 1,
3, and 6 will appear on

13
00:00:36,036 --> 00:00:39,272
the August 1
primary election ballot.

14
00:00:39,272 --> 00:00:43,309
If you live within School
District 1, 3, or 6,

15
00:00:43,309 --> 00:00:46,212
you will have the opportunity
to vote for the board position

16
00:00:46,212 --> 00:00:49,516
representing your district
in the primary.

17
00:00:49,516 --> 00:00:54,554
♪♪

18
00:00:54,554 --> 00:00:59,526
♪♪

19
00:00:59,526 --> 00:01:01,094
-Hi.

20
00:01:01,094 --> 00:01:03,496
I'm Liza Rankin, your Seattle
School Board vice president

21
00:01:03,496 --> 00:01:06,900
and mom of two students
in Seattle Public Schools.

22
00:01:06,900 --> 00:01:10,003
As a current board member
and a longtime PTSA leader,

23
00:01:10,003 --> 00:01:12,739
I've worked over a decade
alongside families,

24
00:01:12,739 --> 00:01:14,574
educators,
and communities across Seattle

25
00:01:14,574 --> 00:01:17,010
to improve experiences,
opportunities,

26
00:01:17,010 --> 00:01:20,747
and outcomes for students
in our public schools.

27
00:01:20,747 --> 00:01:22,282
Throughout
my first term,

28
00:01:22,282 --> 00:01:24,684
I've demonstrated
an unwavering commitment

29
00:01:24,684 --> 00:01:26,686
to equity and continuous
improvement

30
00:01:26,686 --> 00:01:30,323
while navigating the challenges
of a global pandemic.

31
00:01:30,323 --> 00:01:32,425
I've led efforts
to increase inclusion,

32
00:01:32,425 --> 00:01:35,361
access to outdoor learning,
gun violence prevention,

33
00:01:35,361 --> 00:01:37,730
and equity in grading
and assessment.

34
00:01:37,730 --> 00:01:40,366
I led policy work
to ban isolation

35
00:01:40,366 --> 00:01:42,368
and limit restraint
in SPS --

36
00:01:42,368 --> 00:01:44,437
practices that
disproportionately impact

37
00:01:44,437 --> 00:01:47,006
students of color
and with disabilities.

38
00:01:47,006 --> 00:01:48,808
Our policy is a model
across the state

39
00:01:48,808 --> 00:01:50,543
to increase support
for preventative

40
00:01:50,543 --> 00:01:54,447
and restorative practices
that benefit all children.

41
00:01:54,447 --> 00:01:56,349
As the Board's
legislative liaison,

42
00:01:56,349 --> 00:01:59,085
I successfully advocated
for additional state resources

43
00:01:59,085 --> 00:02:00,854
for special education,

44
00:02:00,854 --> 00:02:03,123
access to career
and technical education,

45
00:02:03,123 --> 00:02:05,425
and record investments
in behavioral health support

46
00:02:05,425 --> 00:02:09,229
for students recovering from
pandemic disruption and trauma.

47
00:02:09,229 --> 00:02:10,597
I'm running for
re-election

48
00:02:10,597 --> 00:02:13,466
because we are at a critical
time for public education.

49
00:02:13,466 --> 00:02:15,702
Not only has the pandemic
disrupted learning,

50
00:02:15,702 --> 00:02:17,804
impacted behavioral
and mental health,

51
00:02:17,804 --> 00:02:21,174
and altered the district's
relationship with families,

52
00:02:21,174 --> 00:02:23,376
but nationally, we face
increased intolerance

53
00:02:23,376 --> 00:02:27,046
and attacks on public school's
boards, students, and staff.

54
00:02:27,046 --> 00:02:30,016
We need directors who know
our communities and schools,

55
00:02:30,016 --> 00:02:31,718
who understand
budget complexities

56
00:02:31,718 --> 00:02:32,952
and enrollment
challenges,

57
00:02:32,952 --> 00:02:35,488
and can navigate the many
demands of our system

58
00:02:35,488 --> 00:02:37,891
while remaining focused
on high-quality education

59
00:02:37,891 --> 00:02:39,726
to all students.

60
00:02:39,726 --> 00:02:42,095
With your vote,
I'll build on my record.

61
00:02:42,095 --> 00:02:43,696
And I'm committed
to rebuilding

62
00:02:43,696 --> 00:02:45,265
not only trust
and confidence,

63
00:02:45,265 --> 00:02:46,733
but joy
and excitement

64
00:02:46,733 --> 00:02:48,935
throughout our education
system.

65
00:02:48,935 --> 00:02:51,571
Together, we can support schools
that meet the diverse needs

66
00:02:51,571 --> 00:02:53,907
of our learners,
and are the first choice

67
00:02:53,907 --> 00:02:55,575
for all of Seattle's
families.

68
00:02:55,575 --> 00:02:58,211
And I thank you
for your support.

69
00:02:58,211 --> 00:03:05,385
♪♪

70
00:03:05,385 --> 00:03:12,525
♪♪

71
00:03:12,525 --> 00:03:19,699
♪♪

72
00:03:19,699 --> 00:03:21,267
-Hi.
My name is Debbie Carlsen.

73
00:03:21,267 --> 00:03:23,803
And I'm running for
Seattle School Board Director

74
00:03:23,803 --> 00:03:25,438
in District 1.

75
00:03:25,438 --> 00:03:29,142
Our public schools have been
critical at bringing opportunity

76
00:03:29,142 --> 00:03:32,111
and learning to generations
of Seattle's children,

77
00:03:32,111 --> 00:03:33,613
but we have much more work
to do

78
00:03:33,613 --> 00:03:35,648
to increase
academic achievement,

79
00:03:35,648 --> 00:03:38,718
ensure every student has
a healthy and inclusive

80
00:03:38,718 --> 00:03:40,987
learning environment,
and the school district

81
00:03:40,987 --> 00:03:44,324
is managed with transparency
and accountability.

82
00:03:44,324 --> 00:03:46,226
I've lived in Seattle
for 27 years,

83
00:03:46,226 --> 00:03:47,894
and over the past
15 years,

84
00:03:47,894 --> 00:03:51,331
I've served on the Best Start
for Kids Advisory Board,

85
00:03:51,331 --> 00:03:54,801
as executive director
of an LGBTQ+ nonprofit,

86
00:03:54,801 --> 00:03:57,670
as interim policy director
for NAMI Washington,

87
00:03:57,670 --> 00:04:00,206
which is National Alliance
on Mental Illness

88
00:04:00,206 --> 00:04:03,543
and as mobilizing contractor
for Children's Alliance.

89
00:04:03,543 --> 00:04:05,912
I was a community organizer
for Hotel

90
00:04:05,912 --> 00:04:07,780
and Restaurant Employees
Local 8,

91
00:04:07,780 --> 00:04:10,783
and currently I am
an early learning educator.

92
00:04:10,783 --> 00:04:13,653
As Olympic Hills PTA
advocacy chair,

93
00:04:13,653 --> 00:04:16,356
I have a firsthand
understanding of challenges

94
00:04:16,356 --> 00:04:19,025
and opportunities
in our schools.

95
00:04:19,025 --> 00:04:23,263
I'm running to be a strong
LGBTQ voice on the school board,

96
00:04:23,263 --> 00:04:26,099
and ensure children
of all identities

97
00:04:26,099 --> 00:04:28,368
feel a sense of belonging
in their schools.

98
00:04:28,368 --> 00:04:30,903
The inequities
in academic achievement

99
00:04:30,903 --> 00:04:34,607
still need urgent attention
and focus to make the school

100
00:04:34,607 --> 00:04:37,644
district an excellent
learning environment.

101
00:04:37,644 --> 00:04:40,680
My vision here, in becoming
a school board member --

102
00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:43,216
one, ensuring every student
feels a sense

103
00:04:43,216 --> 00:04:44,484
of belonging
in their schools,

104
00:04:44,484 --> 00:04:46,719
that no matter what
your identity is,

105
00:04:46,719 --> 00:04:48,554
students can thrive
and feel safe

106
00:04:48,554 --> 00:04:50,923
while gaining
a high-quality education.

107
00:04:50,923 --> 00:04:54,127
Two, implementing a robust
community engagement process,

108
00:04:54,127 --> 00:04:57,497
especially when big district
decisions need to be made

109
00:04:57,497 --> 00:05:00,933
that center communities farthest
from educational opportunities.

110
00:05:00,933 --> 00:05:03,236
And three,
bringing more transparency

111
00:05:03,236 --> 00:05:06,539
back in the budget
and policy development process.

112
00:05:06,539 --> 00:05:09,776
I'm excited to take
my experience in education,

113
00:05:09,776 --> 00:05:11,944
community organizing,
and labor

114
00:05:11,944 --> 00:05:15,415
to get pragmatic results
for all students.

115
00:05:15,415 --> 00:05:18,017
I'd be honored
to earn your vote.