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-Public education transformed my life.
I started as an English as a second language student
with a hearing disability.
Thanks to dedicated teachers,
I'm the first woman in my family to earn a college degree.
As a current Seattle Public Schools parent,
finance professional, and former school board director,
I'm stepping up to serve at a time
when the district faces major decisions
about a new superintendent,
$100 million budget deficit and its future direction.
I'll bring experienced leadership,
budgeting and finance expertise
and deep roots in school communities
to navigate challenges with accountability
and a needed focus on student outcomes.
I'm ready to work for you
and our 49,000 students from day one.
Here's what I'll do.
Bring clarity and oversight to our budget,
making sure our public money is spent equitably
and effectively for our 49,000 students.
Safeguard schools from cuts and arbitrary closure plans
and put the district on a plan
to long-term financial stability.
Set a vision for a diverse portfolio
of programs and schools to meet all students' needs,
particularly in special education
and also advanced learning, career pathways,
ethnic studies, and language immersion.
Prioritize student well-being and safety
by investing in mental health, gun violence prevention,
and safety at schools.
Stand up to Trump's attacks on our schools,
LGBTQ+ students and families like mine
who came to this country to seek education and opportunity.
A successful school district is a whole community effort,
and I'm proud to be endorsed by the King County Democrats,
Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pederson,
Mayor Bruce Harrell,
City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth,
County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda,
current and former school board presidents and directors,
students, parents, educators, and community leaders.
I would be honored to earn your support and vote.
-I'm Janis White,
and I'm running for the Seattle School Board.
Seattle schools are in a financial crisis.
I'm running to challenge the status quo,
hold leadership accountable,
and bring people together to find solutions.
I will fight for transparent budgeting with a focus on early,
meaningful, and frequent engagement
with impacted communities.
Difficult budget decisions must be made.
However, school closures
and ending specialized learning programs
will only contribute to declining enrollment
and exacerbate, not solve, our budget issues.
I will work to protect our schools and essential programs
that keep as many kids as possible
in our public school system.
As a parent of students with disabilities,
I have seen firsthand
how Seattle Public Schools has failed to meet the needs
of all students, regardless of their background or abilities.
Teachers, staff,
and administrators want to do the right thing,
but they need stronger guidance and support.
Many students,
especially those from marginalized backgrounds
like our LGBTQ and BIPOC kids,
are facing high rates of anxiety, depression,
and serious mental-health challenges.
I'll work to live up to our promises
and fully fund more school counselors,
while also addressing the negative impact
of social-media use in classrooms.
"The Seattle Times" endorsed our campaign,
citing my deep knowledge of special education
and the law, areas of expertise the school board needs badly.
Whether it was as board president
of the Seattle Special Education PTSA
or founding a nonprofit organization
to increase inclusion and belonging for disabled youth,
I have fought for Seattle's students and families
for more than two decades.
Together, we can make tough choices
that center community input
and support all students to achieve success.
I would be honored to earn your vote.