The Stranger Slog Lays Out the School Board Elections

In one of the first reports I've read about the School Board elections, the Slog's Riya Bhattacharjee (I think her name should be in the next spelling bee - it's that cool) weighs in.

Most of the new candidates are running because they are tired of the corruption and cronyism in Seattle Public Schools. Some want to focus on closing the achievement gap and raising test scores. Others are just sick of the influence a plethora of foundations have on education these days. 

At least one of the candidates is a reluctant one who says he's running because he is tired of mediocrity in our schools and the "business as usual approach" of our school board. Another lists this thing as his campaign website. This one sued the district against its new high school math textbooks in 2009.

It's an interesting group, right?

But then she editorializes a little and it's very funny (because it's so true):

I've always found it really amusing how school board members—elected officials running for re-election anywhere in general—who rarely ever open their mouths at meetings get all chatty suddenly with the advent of election season. Their faces take on what I call the "Anderson Cooper look" (furrowed brows, etc.) and they make it a point to comment on things they never bothered to comment on before. Watch tomorrow's school board meeting to see for yourself.

Her summary:

Many of the new candidates are education advocates, some have degrees from well-known universities, others are professors, teachers, writers, former journalists, business owners, and moms and dads. And I know at least one of them is a Slogger. The one thing they have in common? They are tired of all the BS and want to see change.

BS?  Truer words were never written.