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Proudly Endorsed By
The Stranger is the voice for progressive values in Seattle. As your school board director, I will be committed to real progressive change.
We are so grateful for the King County Democrats' Endorsement. Kathleen is not a career politician, so this was an important signal that this campaign is the real deal.
We need working people to be able to afford to live and have families in Seattle!
I am a pro-union, pro-public education candidate, and I'm so thankful to be endorsed by SEA, representing upwards of 6,000 educators!
We need stronger gun reform laws to keep our schools safe. It's common sense. We need community-led solutions.
Join the team!
VOLUNTEER WITH US:
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Campaign Office Hours :: Monday 6pm.
We need school board directors with a vision guided by progressive values. We need directors who will take seriously the work of representing our communities, providing clear direction, and holding the district accountable to our goals.
We need experts who can cut through the bureaucracy of district leadership.
Kathleen Smith is running as the most qualified candidate for District 2 because her expertise in data science is the skillset we clearly need. Instead of continuing to demonstrate a lack of data-driven decision making, let’s optimize our schools without compromising community needs.
She is running because she sees systemic issues of affordability, inequity, and lack of transparency as issues that need sustainable solutions, not short term bandaids. Kathleen Smith is dedicated to the work of compliance, governance, and fiduciary duty, not posturing or claiming individual credit for district success.
Kathleen’s values speak to her broad understanding of the need for systemic change. If they resonate with you, then please vote for her in the citywide general election November 7th.
Why is Kathleen Running?
How will Kathleen Take Action?
Fulfill Promise on Student Mental Health
In 2023, Seattle allocated $20 million for student mental health - resources students rallied hard to secure. I’ll work with city leaders to ensure that funding reaches classrooms where it’s needed most.
Smartphones and AI tools shouldn’t quietly compromise student focus or emotional health. I’ll push for clear, enforceable classroom tech policies that support learning without placing the burden solely on teachers.
Students deserve a meaningful seat at the table when decisions affect their education and well-being. I’ll amplify youth voices in district policy-making to build trust, resilience, and community ownership.
Accountability + Change for Closure Policy
Last year’s school closure process failed our families. Communities weren’t consulted in any meaningful way, and plans meant to promote equity instead eroded trust.
To better engage the community, SPS must amend its Closure Policy, SPS 6883. Right now, the policy begins with the Superintendent’s recommendation and analysis, treating public engagement as an afterthought. That must change. Engagement with communities should be the first step, not a formality after decisions are made.
We must ensure that SPS Policy 6883 aligns with Policy 2200, which requires timely stakeholder involvement before programmatic changes. The district should not be able to ignore board policy. We need more accountability.
We need data-driven decision making processes that include community input from the start, so we can avoid closure plans all together. Seattle families and staff deserve long-term stability in the school system.
Values & Vision
We can't know everything, but as a data scientist, Kathleen knows the importance of asking the hard questions to find solutions that will make the impact our students deserve.
Fiscal Accountability and Sustainability
In our current budget crisis, we cannot afford to neglect the educators the school system is built on. We must engage with the Seattle Education Association in good faith negotiations to attract and retain the educators who can provide world class education for all our students.
At the same time, our district is facing a nearly $100 million dollar deficit, and has operated in the red for years. It’s long overdue that we develop a sustainable plan to close the gap. We need progressive taxes to fund our schools, so the wealthiest pay their fair share, and we don’t unfairly burden the working class.
Equitable Data-Driven Decisions
Our school board must ask the right questions and demand clear, transparent analysis. We owe it to our communities to do better, but we can’t fix what we don’t fully understand. Real equity begins with honest data and critical insight.The school board needs deeper analyses on the decisions it’s faced with - from school closures and declining enrollment to SROs and building maintenance. Armed with this data, the school board can finally start holding the district accountable for the results it delivers.
Authentic Community Engagement
We need neighborhood schools that families can walk to, where students feel safe and empowered, and where elected officials and district staff meet our communities where they are. Establishing strong connections with the organizations that reach into our communities creates lasting relationships that outlive any single Board Director’s term. Let’s partner with existing organizations, especially those representing and made up of students, and listen to all families to start regaining lost trust.
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Contact
Get in Touch with Kathleen Smith
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