1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,769 ♪♪ 2 00:00:07,307 --> 00:00:10,176 Hi. I'm Liza Rankin, and I'm running 3 00:00:10,276 --> 00:00:12,379 for Seattle School Board Director in District 1, 4 00:00:12,479 --> 00:00:14,447 because every child deserves a welcoming 5 00:00:14,547 --> 00:00:15,849 and safe school that values 6 00:00:15,949 --> 00:00:18,151 and honors them and their families. 7 00:00:18,251 --> 00:00:20,987 As a board director of the Wedgwood Elementary PTA, 8 00:00:21,087 --> 00:00:22,789 Seattle Council PTSA, 9 00:00:22,889 --> 00:00:25,325 and Sand Point Arts and Cultural Exchange, 10 00:00:25,425 --> 00:00:26,960 I've been getting things done for 11 00:00:27,060 --> 00:00:28,862 Seattle's kids for nearly a decade. 12 00:00:28,962 --> 00:00:30,397 I have fought for stable funding 13 00:00:30,497 --> 00:00:32,899 for special education and family support workers, 14 00:00:32,999 --> 00:00:34,601 for safe and healthy bell times, 15 00:00:34,701 --> 00:00:35,802 and I've supported student 16 00:00:35,902 --> 00:00:37,203 and educator-led efforts like 17 00:00:37,303 --> 00:00:39,706 Black Lives Matter at School and Ethnic Studies. 18 00:00:39,806 --> 00:00:41,775 I'm running to continue this service 19 00:00:41,875 --> 00:00:43,410 and to improve experiences 20 00:00:43,510 --> 00:00:44,644 and outcomes for all students, 21 00:00:44,744 --> 00:00:46,346 ensuring that they graduate prepared 22 00:00:46,446 --> 00:00:48,815 for career, college, or community. 23 00:00:48,915 --> 00:00:50,683 As your School Board Director, 24 00:00:50,784 --> 00:00:52,285 I will narrow the opportunity gap 25 00:00:52,385 --> 00:00:54,988 by championing early learning programs, 26 00:00:55,088 --> 00:00:57,023 working to hire and retain educators 27 00:00:57,123 --> 00:00:58,691 that reflect the racial and cultural 28 00:00:58,792 --> 00:01:00,627 diversity of our student population, 29 00:01:00,727 --> 00:01:03,163 by securing adequate funding for the arts, 30 00:01:03,263 --> 00:01:06,599 and by creating welcoming and safe 31 00:01:06,699 --> 00:01:07,967 school environments that support 32 00:01:08,068 --> 00:01:09,502 equitable family engagement 33 00:01:09,602 --> 00:01:11,905 before, during, and after school. 34 00:01:12,005 --> 00:01:13,606 I will work with district leadership, 35 00:01:13,706 --> 00:01:14,741 staff, and families 36 00:01:14,841 --> 00:01:15,875 to break down walls between 37 00:01:15,975 --> 00:01:17,544 central offices and schools, 38 00:01:17,644 --> 00:01:19,446 and I will hold the district accountable 39 00:01:19,546 --> 00:01:21,081 to their new Strategic Plan 40 00:01:21,181 --> 00:01:23,183 by prioritizing curriculum adoption 41 00:01:23,283 --> 00:01:25,552 that empowers students and educators, 42 00:01:25,652 --> 00:01:27,587 and by requiring professional development 43 00:01:27,687 --> 00:01:29,456 for staff and administration related to 44 00:01:29,556 --> 00:01:31,558 anti-racism, cultural competency, 45 00:01:31,658 --> 00:01:33,927 and learning disabilities and differences. 46 00:01:34,027 --> 00:01:36,029 I'm ready to bring my knowledge, 47 00:01:36,129 --> 00:01:37,897 experience, and community connections 48 00:01:37,997 --> 00:01:39,999 to the next level to work for every student 49 00:01:40,100 --> 00:01:41,301 to meet their full potential 50 00:01:41,401 --> 00:01:43,369 through a quality public education. 51 00:01:43,470 --> 00:01:44,737 I'm proud to be endorsed by 52 00:01:44,838 --> 00:01:46,639 the Seattle Education Association, 53 00:01:46,739 --> 00:01:47,941 The Stranger, 54 00:01:48,041 --> 00:01:49,642 The Alliance for Gun Responsibility, 55 00:01:49,742 --> 00:01:50,944 current school board directors 56 00:01:51,044 --> 00:01:52,145 and state legislators, 57 00:01:52,245 --> 00:01:53,446 and leaders from school communities 58 00:01:53,546 --> 00:01:55,115 all across Seattle. 59 00:01:55,215 --> 00:01:57,283 Together, we can create a school district 60 00:01:57,383 --> 00:01:59,285 that is responsive and inclusive 61 00:01:59,385 --> 00:02:01,521 and gives our students what they need to thrive. 62 00:02:01,621 --> 00:02:03,857 And I'd be honored to have your vote in November. 63 00:02:03,957 --> 00:02:05,525 Thank you for your support. 64 00:02:06,726 --> 00:02:08,194 Hello, I'm Eric Blumhagen, 65 00:02:08,294 --> 00:02:10,797 your candidate for School Board District 1. 66 00:02:10,897 --> 00:02:13,433 I've had children in Seattle Schools for 16 years. 67 00:02:13,533 --> 00:02:15,502 A decade ago, I started speaking up 68 00:02:15,602 --> 00:02:16,803 at the district level 69 00:02:16,903 --> 00:02:18,404 to fight against ill-advised school closures 70 00:02:18,505 --> 00:02:21,508 that cost the district over $60 million. 71 00:02:21,608 --> 00:02:23,443 Since then, I've served on PTA boards 72 00:02:23,543 --> 00:02:25,278 and district-wide advisory committees, 73 00:02:25,378 --> 00:02:26,980 advocating for all students 74 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:28,915 on issues from assignment area boundaries 75 00:02:29,015 --> 00:02:31,718 to stable funding for strong academic programs 76 00:02:31,818 --> 00:02:34,220 at Rainier Beach and Chief Sealth High Schools. 77 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:36,422 I'm also proud to have been part of the team 78 00:02:36,523 --> 00:02:37,757 that brought later start times to 79 00:02:37,857 --> 00:02:39,759 Seattle's middle and high schools. 80 00:02:39,859 --> 00:02:41,060 Because of that change, 81 00:02:41,161 --> 00:02:42,362 students get more sleep, 82 00:02:42,462 --> 00:02:43,530 have better attendance, 83 00:02:43,630 --> 00:02:45,765 and earn higher grades. 84 00:02:45,865 --> 00:02:47,901 The school board creates policies based on 85 00:02:48,001 --> 00:02:49,569 voters' progressive ideals, 86 00:02:49,669 --> 00:02:51,070 from community engagement 87 00:02:51,171 --> 00:02:53,139 to inclusive special education services 88 00:02:53,239 --> 00:02:54,874 to racial equity. 89 00:02:54,974 --> 00:02:56,176 I have the experience 90 00:02:56,276 --> 00:02:57,310 to hold the district accountable. 91 00:02:57,410 --> 00:02:58,578 We can deliver results 92 00:02:58,678 --> 00:03:00,213 that match our ideals. 93 00:03:00,313 --> 00:03:02,782 With your vote, I'll prioritize -- 94 00:03:02,882 --> 00:03:04,584 Equity -- Seattle students face 95 00:03:04,684 --> 00:03:06,486 an unacceptable opportunity gap. 96 00:03:06,586 --> 00:03:08,788 We can do better, with sustained investments 97 00:03:08,888 --> 00:03:10,490 in restorative justice programs, 98 00:03:10,590 --> 00:03:12,192 culturally responsive curricula, 99 00:03:12,292 --> 00:03:14,861 and de-escalation training for school staff. 100 00:03:14,961 --> 00:03:16,863 Responsible investments -- 101 00:03:16,963 --> 00:03:18,298 We must direct our resources 102 00:03:18,398 --> 00:03:19,732 where they'll do the most good -- 103 00:03:19,832 --> 00:03:21,634 in the school and in the classroom. 104 00:03:21,734 --> 00:03:23,536 We need more teachers, librarians, 105 00:03:23,636 --> 00:03:26,639 counselors, and special education staff. 106 00:03:26,739 --> 00:03:28,341 And finally, the skilled trades -- 107 00:03:28,441 --> 00:03:30,176 There are so many opportunities for students 108 00:03:30,276 --> 00:03:31,644 in the skilled trades. 109 00:03:31,744 --> 00:03:32,912 I will work to improve access 110 00:03:33,012 --> 00:03:34,113 to hands-on classes 111 00:03:34,214 --> 00:03:35,181 that prepare students 112 00:03:35,281 --> 00:03:36,249 to enter the workforce 113 00:03:36,349 --> 00:03:38,518 in these living wage careers. 114 00:03:38,618 --> 00:03:40,186 I am proud to be endorsed by leaders 115 00:03:40,286 --> 00:03:42,121 including former School Board Presidents 116 00:03:42,222 --> 00:03:44,457 Betty Patu and Sue Peters, 117 00:03:44,557 --> 00:03:46,059 Representative Gael Tarleton, 118 00:03:46,159 --> 00:03:47,427 and organizations such as 119 00:03:47,527 --> 00:03:48,861 the King County Democrats, 120 00:03:48,962 --> 00:03:50,630 Laborers Local 242, 121 00:03:50,730 --> 00:03:53,633 and Operating Engineers Local 609. 122 00:03:53,733 --> 00:03:55,401 With your support, we can improve 123 00:03:55,501 --> 00:03:57,837 Seattle Public Schools for all students. 124 00:03:57,937 --> 00:03:59,239 Thank you for your vote.