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-Hi. I'm Liza Rankin, and I'm running
to be your next Seattle School Board Director
in District 1,
which runs along
the top of our city
from Lake Washington
to Puget Sound.
As an advocate and parent
of two SPS students,
I have spent the last several years
engaging with and working alongside
families and educators
all over Seattle.
I've visited or volunteered
at half the 102 schools
in our district
and collaborated
with parents and educators
from almost all of the rest.
I've seen the incredible things
that happen at each of our schools
and also the systemic
and institutional
challenges we face.
I've engaged at every level
to improve our public schools
for students and educators,
from schools
to the district offices
to advocating in Olympia.
As a School Board Director,
I will bring a broad
and deep knowledge of SPS
as well as authentic relationships
and community connections
to work to improve experience
and outcomes for all students,
most especially those
from historically
marginalized groups.
Every child deserves
a safe and welcoming school
that values and honors them
and their families
and wants them to succeed.
I will hold the district accountable
to their new strategic plan
centered on equity,
and I will work to provide
meaningful family and community
engagement opportunities.
Although we are bound
by budget restrictions,
we can and must reflect and respond
to the needs of our diverse communities.
We must address the silos
between central offices
and schools
and support consistent policy
and practice at every school
that advances the goals
around equity and engagement,
like adopting an
ethnic-studies curriculum
that empowers
students and educators,
ensuring that the Washington State
Since Time Immemorial curriculum
is provided at every school,
provide training for inclusion
so that special-education
students spend more time
with their peers,
and provide greater access
to advanced and unique
learning opportunities.
Together with communities
from across Seattle,
I know we can create a district that
is inclusive, responsive,
and gives all of our students
what they need to thrive.
Thank you for your support.