LET’S MAKE SCHOOLS WORK FOR SEATTLE

Our public schools should reflect the best of who we are—and who we want to become. They should be places where every child is seen, supported, and set up for success. But right now, too many families feel pushed out, too many students are falling through the cracks, and too many educators are being asked to do more with less. We need a school system built on partnership—between families, educators, communities, and students themselves. I believe in a shared vision: one where we make bold, student-centered decisions, invest in what works, and restore trust through real transparency. Together, we can create schools that don’t just promise equity—but deliver it.

  • Right now, our school district’s budget process is broken—and the consequences are landing squarely on students and educators. For years, it has felt like Seattle Public Schools is decisions behind closed doors, issuing sudden cuts, and failing to communicate clearly with the communities most affected. Families find out about school consolidations after the fact. Educators prepare for programs that get slashed overnight. And students lose access to the very supports that help them learn and thrive.

    We cannot keep repeating this cycle. Budget decisions are moral decisions—and they must reflect our values as a community. I will fight for a budget process that is transparent, predictable, and rooted in student needs. That means long-term fiscal planning, public accountability, and a genuine commitment to engaging the communities who are impacted most—especially those furthest from educational justice. Our public dollars should support public good—not bureaucracy, instability, and confusion. It’s time to rebuild trust and put students first in every line item

  • Too many students in Seattle are showing up to schools that don’t feel safe, supportive, or responsive to who they are. Whether it’s rising rates of mental health struggles, increases in bullying, or the lack of inclusive support systems for LGBTQ+ students and students with disabilities, the reality is clear: Seattle Public Schools is not meeting its responsibility to create learning environments where all students can thrive.

    We must take student wellness seriously—not as an add-on, but as a central part of education. That means embedding social-emotional learning throughout the school day. It means investing in mental health counselors, school psychologists, and culturally responsive staff who understand the lived experiences of our students. It means creating school climates that actively affirm and support marginalized students—including Black and brown students, neurodivergent students, and those navigating trauma or economic instability.

    Safe schools don’t just happen—they are built through intention, policy, and investment. I will fight for schools where every student feels seen, valued, and supported.

  • Seattle is one of the most innovative cities in the country—but you wouldn’t know it from how we treat our public schools. Programs that inspire, challenge, and prepare students for life beyond the classroom—like music, visual and performing arts, dual-language immersion, technical education, advanced learning, and inclusive special education—are often first on the chopping block. This is unacceptable.

    We should be expanding these opportunities, not eliminating them. When we cut access to arts, STEM, advanced math, or language programs, we’re not just limiting academic outcomes—we’re shrinking our students’ vision of what’s possible. I believe every student should have access to the tools that unlock their potential, no matter what neighborhood they live in. That includes hands-on career pathways, culturally sustaining curriculum, and individualized support that recognizes each student’s unique strengths.

    Seattle Public Schools should be a place where students don’t just survive—they thrive. That’s the future I’m fighting for.