-Seattle is a progressive, educated, and innovative city,
but our public schools are failing too many kids,
teachers, and families.
There is a real, but quiet, crisis in our schools --
pandemic disruptions, declining enrollment,
budget instability, and widening gaps in equity and outcomes.
I am running for school board
because I believe we can meet this challenge,
and build great schools for all families.
I've called Seattle "home" for 20 years.
I fought for housing affordability
as the executive director of the Washington Low
Income Housing Alliance.
I've worked at leading technology companies.
I've been a proud SPS parent, volunteering for school plays,
chess clubs, and fundraising events.
Our kids have had dedicated, talented,
and committed teachers.
But we need systemic change to address urgent needs.
After a student died from gun violence
at Ingraham High School,
there was little to no response.
The board and district intend to close neighborhood schools,
and have ended vital enrichment programs.
Students furthest from educational justice are,
using the district's own measures,
worse off than they were in 2019.
The constant budget panic is a result of
a fundamentally unsound financial footing,
with no plans to make real changes.
As a result, many parents who can are leaving
for private schools.
We deserve a school board
that takes gun violence seriously.
We deserve a board that fights to keep neighborhood schools
open, and offer programs that draw students in.
We deserve a board that does more than talk about
improving the education of the kids most in need
of our help, but insists on results.
I don't have all the answers,
but I believe that bringing in new voices
is the first step to getting back on the right track.
I would appreciate your vote.