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-Hello. I'm Eric Blumhagen,
and I'm running
for Seattle's School Board.
I've been a Seattle schools parent
for 16 years.
I've volunteered in classrooms,
worked on PTA and PTO boards,
and I've been honored
with the Golden Acorn award,
served on two district
advisories committees.
I'm running because of
what I heard from a parent.
The school district
had just spent $20,000 on legal fees
fighting their students' valid claim
for special-education
services.
Those services would only have
cost the district
$4,000 to provide.
This is so wrong on every level
and a prime example
of how the status quo
is failing our students.
District staff
need to follow the rules,
whether that's state or federal law
or district policy and procedure.
We also must be doing more
to meet all our students' needs.
Seattle has a serious equity problem,
with the fifth-largest
opportunity gap in the nation.
We need measurable action.
I'm committed to learning,
working with the community
to find innovative solutions
to create
a fair and equitable system.
For example,
restorative justice programs
at Cleveland High School
are reducing disproportionate
discipline.
Everett schools are increasing
attendance and graduation rates.
Northgate Elementary has built
a cohesive, diverse community.
Let's learn from what
these schools are doing right
and get other schools moving
down the same path to success.
We also need to make sure students
see themselves in the curriculum.
We need sustained investments
in ethnic studies
and Since Time Immemorial curricula.
We need to increase representation
of all under-served communities
in every curriculum.
Finally, we're likely headed
toward budget cuts in the future
due to persistent
under-funding by the state.
We need to focus our funding
where it will do the most good --
in the school and in the classroom.
I'm for funding
teachers, nurses, counselors,
and librarians
and not unnecessary
standardized tests.
I'm Eric Blumhagen,
and I would be honored
to have your support.