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-Seattle public schools face
large budget, equity, capacity,
and instructional challenges.
Over the years,
I have advocated
for policy changes
about various issues,
from school boundaries
to school funding
to advanced learning policies,
and attended
many director meetings.
I have run a community blog
to share information among parents.
I have volunteered in the schools
on a weekly basis,
running math clubs.
I have participated at PTSA
and been part of
the building leadership team
for Jane Addams Middle School.
I have experienced
everything from IEP meetings
to helping get a new building
up and running
to creating a school budget.
As a parent of two children
with different needs
and eight years of direct experience
with Seattle public schools,
I am now running
to help build a better system
for all our students,
families, teachers, and staff.
My focus for the board
is consistency.
Too much varies
between school buildings.
Families need stronger guarantees
about each child's
core experience.
Everything from whether
there's a full-time librarian
to how much time for lunch
to access to instrumental music
and advanced learning depends
on a student's address.
Openness --
central staff have made strides
at engaging with the community,
but significant
district decisions
still happen quickly
without adequate explanation
or fully examining
possible alternatives.
I will demand
greater authentic engagement.
Family services --
from smaller tasks
like registering for schools
to major challenges
like finding out how to get
services for a struggling student,
our district
needs to remove barriers.
As a parent within the
special education system,
I know personally
how hard it is to navigate SPS.
Excellence and equity --
we should meet students where they are
and provide opportunities
for continual growth.
We need to build a strong,
differentiated curriculum
and ensure opportunities
at every building
to participate in activities
that kindle students' passions
in arts, sports, clubs,
and academics.
The district is rich in diversity.
53% are students of color.
If we address gaps in opportunity,
we will help solve gaps
in outcomes.
I am committed to both.