Get Those Ballots In!
Time to make sure to vote and make your voice heard. There are so many important races in Seattle on the ballot, like mayor, as well as the four School Board seats.
I do want to again mention one thing about the race in District 2, Sarah Clark vs Kathleen Smith. For this election, that seat will only be for two years because Vivian Song had already served two years of the four-year term. According to the law, Clark or Smith are running to fill those remaining two years. Clark was appointed only to serve until the next election (which is this one).
So, if the candidate you like in this race doesn't win, the seat will be up again in two years.
Last thoughts from candidates via a Seattle's Child story which quotes candidates on the question, "What is the most pressing issue in education?" which was asked at a candidate forum. (I don't know if the question was meant broadly or specific to SPS.)
I do want to again mention one thing about the race in District 2, Sarah Clark vs Kathleen Smith. For this election, that seat will only be for two years because Vivian Song had already served two years of the four-year term. According to the law, Clark or Smith are running to fill those remaining two years. Clark was appointed only to serve until the next election (which is this one).
So, if the candidate you like in this race doesn't win, the seat will be up again in two years.
Last thoughts from candidates via a Seattle's Child story which quotes candidates on the question, "What is the most pressing issue in education?" which was asked at a candidate forum. (I don't know if the question was meant broadly or specific to SPS.)
Kathleen Smith said:
“The single most pressing issue in education is the devaluation of the teaching profession. If elected, I would prioritize money in the budget being spent on face to face learning in our schools, work on developing robust pipelines for educators to receive training and develop lifelong careers, and advocate for good faith bargaining with the educators union.”
Sarah Clark could not attend this forum so no statement from her.
Joe Mizrahi said this:
“The most pressing issue in education is addressing the persistent opportunity gap caused by systemic inequities in an environment of shrinking resources. I would solve this by stabilizing the budget and devoting significantly more resources in the most targeted way to shrink this gap.”
Laura Marie Rivera said this:
“The most pressing issue in education is the widening gap between what students need and what our systems provide. We must rebuild trust and funding in public education, empower educators and families to shape solutions, and ensure every student feels safe, seen, and supported, with particular care to those students furthest from educational justice.”
Vivian Song said:
“One of the most pressing issues in education is the growing disconnect between student needs and the way we fund and operate our schools. Too often, districts are forced to make short-term cuts rather than long-term investments that improve student outcomes.
Janis White said:
“The most pressing need in education is our failure to center student needs in our system of delivering education, especially the needs of marginalized students who are often overlooked. There is not a one sentence solution to this very entrenched systemic problem but to start, school leaders, including school board directors, need to always be asking whether we have done enough to consider student needs and need to reflect on whether each decision is responsive to student needs and will improve student outcomes.”
Jen LaValle said:
“As a district, we’ve experienced significant losses in both enrollment and community trust during and after the pandemic. To move forward, we must be present and engaged in our community, and commit to transparency in order to grow our district and address our budget shortfall.”
Carol Rava said:
The most pressing issue facing Seattle Public Schools right now is a loss of confidence in the district’s ability to offer academic excellence in every school for every student and to keep every student safe. These are complicated issues, but academic excellence starts with a commitment to providing the challenge and support every student needs, and safety starts with tracking the data of what interventions are working and reinvesting in those that do.”
“The single most pressing issue in education is the devaluation of the teaching profession. If elected, I would prioritize money in the budget being spent on face to face learning in our schools, work on developing robust pipelines for educators to receive training and develop lifelong careers, and advocate for good faith bargaining with the educators union.”
Sarah Clark could not attend this forum so no statement from her.
Joe Mizrahi said this:
“The most pressing issue in education is addressing the persistent opportunity gap caused by systemic inequities in an environment of shrinking resources. I would solve this by stabilizing the budget and devoting significantly more resources in the most targeted way to shrink this gap.”
Laura Marie Rivera said this:
“The most pressing issue in education is the widening gap between what students need and what our systems provide. We must rebuild trust and funding in public education, empower educators and families to shape solutions, and ensure every student feels safe, seen, and supported, with particular care to those students furthest from educational justice.”
Vivian Song said:
“One of the most pressing issues in education is the growing disconnect between student needs and the way we fund and operate our schools. Too often, districts are forced to make short-term cuts rather than long-term investments that improve student outcomes.
Janis White said:
“The most pressing need in education is our failure to center student needs in our system of delivering education, especially the needs of marginalized students who are often overlooked. There is not a one sentence solution to this very entrenched systemic problem but to start, school leaders, including school board directors, need to always be asking whether we have done enough to consider student needs and need to reflect on whether each decision is responsive to student needs and will improve student outcomes.”
Jen LaValle said:
“As a district, we’ve experienced significant losses in both enrollment and community trust during and after the pandemic. To move forward, we must be present and engaged in our community, and commit to transparency in order to grow our district and address our budget shortfall.”
Carol Rava said:
The most pressing issue facing Seattle Public Schools right now is a loss of confidence in the district’s ability to offer academic excellence in every school for every student and to keep every student safe. These are complicated issues, but academic excellence starts with a commitment to providing the challenge and support every student needs, and safety starts with tracking the data of what interventions are working and reinvesting in those that do.”
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