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-Hi.
My name is Christie Robertson.
I'm running for election to the Seattle School Board
in District 3.
And I'd like to share with you why I'm in this fight,
and what I hope to achieve.
I've called Seattle "home" ever since I started my Ph.D. program
in neurobiology and behavior at the UW in 1996.
Over the years since, I've worked in software,
had two children, and grown more and more deeply involved
as an advocate in our educational community.
Currently, I'm serving on the executive board
of the Seattle Special Education PTSA,
and I've had the opportunity to meet
and collaborate with so many others
who believe that we can do better by our kids.
What I think makes our public schools special
is the sense of collective effort and community.
We all come together -- parents, teachers, and neighbors --
to shape a vision for our children's education.
We entrust this vision to our schools and to our school board.
However, right now, it's clear to me
that our schools are struggling to reach that vision.
Despite the tireless work of our teachers,
and the advocacy of our community,
our schools are losing enrollment,
facing a budget crisis,
and failing our most vulnerable kids.
This is why I'm running for the school board.
As a parent and a community member
deeply involved in special education,
I bring a passion for inclusion, justice, and equity.
I'm committed to ensuring that every child,
regardless of their background or their abilities,
has access to a welcoming
and supportive educational experience.
I'm excited about the opportunity
to serve you on the school board,
and I look forward to working alongside you
to create a brighter future for our public schools --
a future where every child in Seattle
gets the great education they deserve.
-Hi.
My name is Evan Briggs,
and I'm running to be your next school board representative.
At its best, education opens doors and unlocks potential.
Yet, in a city of abundant resources,
we face persistent opportunity gaps
that are among the worst in our nation.
As the parent of three SPS students,
one of my core beliefs is that we advocate
most effectively for our own children
when we advocate for all children.
We must align our district to focus on student outcomes
such that every child in the city
receives the education they deserve.
From running a summer program
for children of East African refugees,
to teaching at the college level,
and everything in between,
I have spent time in the classroom,
and understand the unique challenges our educators face.
From a parent perspective,
my efforts to secure the support necessary for my children
to thrive at school
have been met with frustrating roadblocks.
As a board member, I will advocate for policies
that support and empower our educators
to help our kids reach their full potential.
Children are facing an unprecedented
mental health crisis.
Our schools are facing a budget crisis.
And data show that too many students in our district
are profoundly underserved.
Addressing these issues requires big-picture thinking
and a systems approach to enacting meaningful change.
In my years of advocacy, having served on PTAs
and the Magnuson Park Advisory Committee,
I understand that systemic change doesn't happen overnight.
I also understand that successful movements
are grounded in relationship-building,
which is why I will advocate for inclusive engagement policies,
proactive transparent communication,
and strong partnerships.
I chose a career in documentary filmmaking
because I believe stories have the power to transform.
Together, let's create a new story
about education in Seattle.
My name is Evan Briggs,
and I would be honored to have your vote.
-Seattle is a progressive, educated, and innovative city,
but our public schools are failing too many kids,
teachers, and families.
There is a real, but quiet, crisis in our schools --
pandemic disruptions, declining enrollment,
budget instability, and widening gaps in equity and outcomes.
I am running for school board
because I believe we can meet this challenge,
and build great schools for all families.
I've called Seattle "home" for 20 years.
I fought for housing affordability
as the executive director of the Washington Low
Income Housing Alliance.
I've worked at leading technology companies.
I've been a proud SPS parent, volunteering for school plays,
chess clubs, and fundraising events.
Our kids have had dedicated, talented,
and committed teachers.
But we need systemic change to address urgent needs.
After a student died from gun violence
at Ingraham High School,
there was little to no response.
The board and district intend to close neighborhood schools,
and have ended vital enrichment programs.
Students furthest from educational justice are,
using the district's own measures,
worse off than they were in 2019.
The constant budget panic is a result of
a fundamentally unsound financial footing,
with no plans to make real changes.
As a result, many parents who can are leaving
for private schools.
We deserve a school board
that takes gun violence seriously.
We deserve a board that fights to keep neighborhood schools
open, and offer programs that draw students in.
We deserve a board that does more than talk about
improving the education of the kids most in need
of our help, but insists on results.
I don't have all the answers,
but I believe that bringing in new voices
is the first step to getting back on the right track.
I would appreciate your vote.