The story begins in 1990 with the Cresap Audit, a state-commissioned report that deemed the district “nearly ungovernable,” and follows the arrival of Major General John Stanford, the charismatic outsider who redefined Seattle schools as a “market-based system.” Stanford’s three-year tenure (1995-1998) transformed governance, funding, and labor relations—introducing open-choice enrollment, principal “CEOs,” and the 1997 trust agreement between the district and the Seattle Education Association (SEA).

Drawing from Van Gelder’s decade-long research and Left to Chance (Southeast Seattle Education Coalition), this episode examines how these reforms—rooted in neoliberal management theory, school-based decision-making, and business-style accountability—continue to shape Seattle Public Schools today.

📖 Referenced materials

• Left to Chance: Student Outcomes in Seattle Public Schools (Vivian Van Gelder, 2024) 
  • Report Timeline
• Cresap Audit of Seattle Public Schools (1990)
• A Nation at Risk (1983, National Commission on Excellence in Education)

🎧 Listen and read the full transcript at rainydayrecess.org
.

Support the show

Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org.
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About Kathleen Smith

• Data scientist at Microsoft
• Parent of 5-year-old entering kindergarten in SPS
• Comes from family of educators
• Attended public schools, then Annie Wright School in Tacoma
• Endorsed by Seattle Education Association

Key Positions

First Priority:

• Add more ways for student school board directors to have power and contribute

On School Board Role:

• Board sets policy and holds district accountable through superintendent
• Currently a disconnect between board and district
• Need balance between micromanaging and providing clear guardrails
• Important to build strong working relationships for alignment

On Superintendent Search:

• Should consider hiring interim superintendent first
• Need someone who will truly listen to community
• Balance listening with leading with confidence
• Must understand Seattle's geographic and demographic diversity

On District Structure:

• Current balance is worst of both worlds
• Schools have accountability (funding tied to enrollment) but no control
• District should be more accountable for quality; schools have more control
• Allow for local differentiation

On When Goals Aren't Met:

• Getting new superintendent is biggest lever for change
• Board doesn't have power to force district to change
• Power is in finding superintendent who will guide needed changes

On Community Engagement:

• Ultimate power is finding right superintendent
• Board can help engage community to define expectations clearly
• If district won't listen, must replace superintendent

On Her Approach:

• Not a policy wonk; brings data analysis and science skills
• Wants clearer metrics for measuring equity
• Known for seeking different perspectives and listening
• Fast learner despite learning curve
• Wants to fight for educator living wages

Other Positions:

• Strongly supports Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• Sees board role as accountable to voters

Educational Leader She Admires: Her mother (teacher)

Looking Forward to Working With: Liza Rankin

Important Info

• Ballots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4th
• Also listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.org
• Kathleen's campaign: https://www.smith-for-schools.com/
• Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org | hello@rainydayrecess.org

Support the show

Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org.
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About Sarah Clark

• Currently serving as District 2 school board director (appointed April 2024, running to retain seat)
• Director of Policy at Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
• Master's in Education Policy from University of Washington
• Graduate of Seattle Public Schools (Madrona Elementary, Washington Middle School, Garfield High School, Class of 2003)
• Serves as City of Seattle FEPP Levy and King County Liaison

Key Positions

On Why She's Running:

• Believes in coalition building and comprehensive policymaking
• Wants to involve community more in the work
• District is in crisis deeper than initially understood
• Sees opportunity to fix problems with new generation of collaborative board members
• Wants to set things up for success 10 years from now

On Budget:

• Current budget reflects hope for legislative support
• Also preparing for scenario without enough funding
• Many fixed costs (labor contracts, levies) limit flexibility
• Community engagement is critical part of budget process
• Hard decisions may be necessary if funding doesn't come through

On Student Safety:

• Experienced assault as sophomore at Garfield (drives dedication to this issue)
• Current approach has failed; past models weren't successful either
• Working to convene group of SPS/SPD leaders, community, city council, mayor's office
• Student safety policies need to be flexible and evolve
• Committed to restoring district's relationship with SPD for 2025-2026
• Can't promise school resource officers will return in previous form

On Her Background:

• Was in Highly Capable Program (APP) and experienced segregation by academic programs
• Shocked by difference between advanced classes and regular classes
• Studied equity and legacy of colonialism at UW
• Education opened doors and she wants that access for others
• Has two nieces in SPS

On Her Approach:

• Seeks to collaborate (shaped by playing sports and being on teams)
• Open to hearing from community (ideas, venting, questions)
• Takes responsibility seriously as part of her faith and values
• Hopeful that local action can make impact despite federal challenges
• Ready to develop fresh ideas to meet every student's need

Important Info

• Ballots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4th
• Also listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.org
• Sarah's campaign: https://www.sarah4schoolboard.org/
• Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org | hello@rainydayrecess.org

Support the show

Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org.
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About Joe Mizrahi

• Secretary Treasurer of UFCW 3000 (represents 60,000 frontline workers)
• Currently serving as District 4 school board director (appointed)
• Parent of three daughters in Seattle Public Schools
• Co-chair of $2 billion pension fund
• Serves on multiple boards
• Has testified to state legislature annually since 2008

Key Positions

First Priority:

• Bring back committee structures for board members
• Need deeper dives on issues

On School Board Role:

• Hold district accountable to voters' values and strategic vision
• Approve budget with eye toward sustainability for next decade
• Be connective tissue with general public

On Superintendent Search:

• Need someone who can hold system accountable
• Strong communication skills and ability to draw in community
• Brings strong vision for district

On District Structure:

• Worst choice is operating halfway between systems
• Likes autonomy for different program choices
• Needs centralization for support and standards
• Every building should have its own feel

On When Goals Aren't Met:

• Hold superintendent accountable through evaluations
• Set meeting agendas to make staff explain issues
• Can reject plans and ask for better ones
• Be careful not to over-rely on standardized tests

On Community Engagement:

• Use board position to bring issues to meetings and agenda
• Example: forced district to address waitlists and enrollment
• Job is to carry community concerns, not tell educators how to do their jobs

Other Positions:

• Strongly supports special education inclusion and dual language immersion
• Sees board role as both trustee and representative

Educational Leader He Admires: His mother (special education teacher who fought for inclusion)

Most Aligned With: School Board President Gina Topp

Important Info

• Ballots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4th
• Also listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.org
• Joe's campaign: joe4schools.com
• Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org | hello@rainydayrecess.org

Support the show

Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org.
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About Laura Marie Rivera

• Recently completed Doctor of Education (defended dissertation during campaign)
• Two decades as educator, nonprofit professional
• Founded nonprofit on motherhood and leadership (first-of-its-kind study with nearly 1,000 responses)
• Parent of four: two recent SPS graduates, twins in elementary school
• Member of four unions throughout career
• Went to school in San Juan Unified School District, Sacramento, California

Key Positions

First Priority:

• Restore second school board meeting every month
• More public engagement and better communication with staff

On School Board Role:

• Directors need to be more flexible beyond policy-setting
• Should look at individual students and how they're reaching goals
• Board should facilitate responses when systems aren't working for students

On Superintendent Search:

• Need someone with experience managing large budget and deficit
• Want actual education experience to understand classroom impact
• Board needs to improve relationship with superintendent's office and public
• Concerned current board hasn't set up next superintendent for success

On District Structure:

• Flexibility is key
• Front-line educators and staff should make decisions (they see kids daily)
• All kids don't need same things—they're individuals
• Can't set one approach for 50,000 students at district policy level

On When Goals Aren't Met:

• Goals are modest; would like higher goals
• Must step down to individual level to understand what each child needs
• Could be classroom support, breakfast, undiagnosed learning disability
• Each individual child needs to meet standards for best chance at success

On Community Engagement:

• SPS has talked about engagement and communication for entire decade
• Reducing public engagement was a mistake
• Need to be thoughtful about what to do with community input
• Task force recommendations should not be ignored

Other Positions:

• Strongly supports SPS non-discrimination policy (though notes it doesn't always work in practice)
• Sees board role as both trustee and representative
• Believes budget is a moral document

Educational Leader She Admires: Gina Davis (founder of Gina Davis Institute on Gender in Media)

Looking Forward to Working With: Liza Rankin (though they don't see eye to eye on many things)

Important Info

• Ballots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4th
• Also listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.org
• Laura Marie's campaign: https://lauramarie4seattleschools.com/
• Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org | hello@rainydayrecess.org

Support the show

Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org.
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About Janis White

• Lawyer with over 40 years of practice
• Parent of three kids who attended Seattle Public Schools K-12 (graduated 2019 and 2023)
• Former president of Seattle Special Education PTSA
• Former president of Ken Haven Music School board
• Attended public school K-12 in Great Neck, New York
• Has testified at board meetings and state legislature many times

Key Positions

First Priority:

• Bring back standing committees, most urgently budget and finance committee

On School Board Role:

• School board is accountable for proper operation of district (per state law)
• Must have processes to know if district is operating as intended by policies
• Needs regular reporting, school visits, community meetings
• Cannot say reviewing operations isn't part of the job

On Superintendent Search:

• Need proven track record of implementing clear communication standards across large organization
• Experience addressing problematic culture issues
• Must have curiosity mindset about making change happen
• Must identify and address structural issues causing budget deficits

On District Structure:

• Need to find right balance between centralization and site-based management
• Too much centralization discourages community engagement
• Need standards, expectations, and oversight for healthy system
• Process of finding balance would build community support

On When Goals Aren't Met:

• Current goals don't properly follow Targeted Universalism framework
• Board needs to ask more probing questions when goals not met
• Should express concern if staff are resistant to thinking outside the box
• Progress monitoring system has encouraged attention to data

On Community Engagement:

• Large turnouts at board meetings are symptom of failed communication
• Board not aware enough of how community experiences school system
• Guardrails written too negatively (should state what you want, not what you don't)
• Board should respond to issues brought via public testimony

Other Positions:

• Strongly supports inclusive classrooms for students with disabilities
• Doesn't support over-reliance on standardized testing
• School board responsible to students and public at large

Educational Leader She Admires: Vivian Gussin Paley (her kindergarten teacher, MacArthur Fellow)

Looking Forward to Working With: All directors (believes collaboration with all colleagues is essential)

Important Info

• Ballots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4th
• Also listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.org
• Janis's campaign: https://www.janisforseattleschools.com/
• Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org | hello@rainydayrecess.org

Support the show

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About Vivian Song

• Finance professional and advocate for children
• Parent with kids in both Seattle Public Schools and private school
• Previously served as Seattle School Board director
• Worked directly with SPS's $1.2 billion operating budget
• Served on Levy Oversight Committee
• Member of a union

Key Positions

First Priority:

• Bring back Finance committee and Friday memos
• Add another school board meeting each month

On Structural Deficit:

• Look at largest sources (bus transportation and substitutes)
• Spend money more efficiently while delivering better services

On School Board Role:

• Serving as community representatives has been missing
• District needs to bring community along in decisions
• Lack of community involvement needs to be front and center

On Superintendent Search:

• Need someone good at building a team who can identify their strengths and weaknesses
• Should set plan for first 100 days and a 10-year vision
• Concerned chief academic officer position hasn't been filled

On District Structure:

• Supports hybrid approach balancing centralized and school-based decision making
• Schools should have flexibility in professional development, enrichment, and culturally relevant curriculum
• Central office should ensure equity and set clear goals for student success

On When Goals Aren't Met:

• Board should take action, not merely accept progress monitoring
• Ask what work has been done to understand why strategies haven't worked
• Ensure principals participate in progress monitoring and receive data

On Community Engagement:

• Board should demonstrate awareness and push superintendent to make a plan
• Track and communicate what topics are being heard from community
• Be careful not to listen only to loudest voices

Other Positions:

• Budgeting needs to be equitable and student-centered
• Sees board role as accountable to voters

Educational Leader She Admires: John Stanford

Excited to Work With: Director Joe Mizrahi

Important Info

• Ballots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4th
• Also listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.org
• Vivian's campaign: songforseattleschools.com
• Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org | hello@rainydayrecess.org

Support the show

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About Jen LaVallee

• Product designer focusing on research, strategy, and design
• Parent of two elementary school students in Seattle Public Schools
• Has testified at school board meetings and state legislature
• Has served on a board

Key Positions

First Priority:

• Restore board committees with thoughtful construction to ensure recommendations are actionable

On Budget Crisis:

• Solving deficits should not come from large cuts to schools
• Supports independent audits and ensuring budget timelines allow for deep review of impacts
• Board members need to push for stability and growth, not just school-based cuts

On Superintendent Search:

• Need effective management to address central office dysfunction
• Leader who can communicate effectively, test ideas, and look deeply at unintended impacts
• Someone with insight from other districts who can build a better functioning SPS

On District Structure:

• Need a different balance between centralized control and school-based decision making
• Schools have unique programs that make parents excited
• Must ensure all kids meet baselines for success and education quality
• Partnership between central office and school sites needs improvement

On When Goals Aren't Met:

• First assess if the goal was attainable
• Evaluate what steps were taken and be critical about whether they were right steps
• Hold superintendent accountable
• Set up for future success based on learning

On Community Engagement:

• Community expects people to show up and engage
• Too many community values are not part of Student Outcomes Focused Governance framework
• Would be responsive, as she has been in her community for years

Other Positions:

• Strongly supports the Ensuring Educational and Racial Equity policy
• Wants better enrollment planning to reduce October shuffles
• Sees board role as leaning toward representative/accountable to voters, balanced with making hard decisions for long-term benefit

Educational Leader She Admires: Aaron Pribble, her 12th grade teacher who suggested she get tested for dyslexia

Excited to Work With: Director Joe Mizrahi

Important Info

• Ballots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4th
• Also listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.org
• Jen's campaign: votelavallee.com
• Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org | hello@rainydayrecess.org

Support the show

Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org.
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About Carol Rava

• Manages $150 million grant-making team at Ascendium philanthropy
• Master's in Education Policy; nearly 30 years in education
• Former Executive Director of Strategic Planning at SPS (2008-2010)
• Parent/stepparent of 5 SPS students across multiple schools
• Completing K-12 Finance certificate from Georgetown University

Key Positions

First Priority:

• End Student Outcomes Focused Governance model
• Restore Finance and Audit oversight committees

On Her Approach:

• Focused on setting goals and aligning how the district works to those goals
• Believes goals need to be transparent and reflect the whole community
• District needs to hold itself accountable and make mid-course corrections when not meeting goals

On District Structure:

• Advocates for consistency in quality across all schools regardless of location
• Believes it's not sustainable for a hundred buildings to pick a hundred different approaches to teaching and curriculum
• Wants balance that allows unique school cultures to thrive while ensuring excellence students and parents can rely on

On Supporting Struggling Students:

• Supports research-based intensive one-to-one tutoring
• Emphasizes disaggregating data to understand who needs help where
• Wants to use best practices and research to provide the right supports

On Community Engagement:

• Board serves as a conduit from the community to the district
• One of the main things the school board can do is hold the superintendent accountable for high quality community engagement

Other Positions:

• Supports district-wide cell phone policy
• Wants schoolboard@seattleschools.org to actually be responsive

Admires: Jeanette "Mrs. Jones" Jones (Washington Middle School administrator who "believed in every child")

Excited to Work With: Director Gina Topp

Important Info

• Ballots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4th
• Also listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.org
• Carol's campaign: electcarolrava.com
• Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org | hello@rainydayrecess.org

Support the show

Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org.
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Summer School Board Meetings

• July 2 School Board Meeting
• July 30 Special School Board Meeting
• August 27 School Board Meeting
• Fred Podesta Email

School Board Primary Election Results 

• School Board 2025Aug-results-final.pdf

Articles Mentioned

• The Grade
• Seattle Times, August 8, 2025: Backing counted in Seattle School Board primaries; money, not so much
• Seattle Times, August 20, 2025: Seattle teachers’ contract takes new approach to classroom disruptions
• Seattle Times, August 28, 2025: Survey says this is what Seattle schools want in next superintendent

Where You Can Find Us…

• Cherylynne Crowther: Liberate Disability
  • Sign up for the October 11 workshop - Discover Your IEP Advocacy Style—And Why It's Already Working
• Jasmine Pulido
  • Transportation Justice Limited Series Podcast: Transit in Transition 
  • Available for writing contracts - Email: Jasminewrotethis@gmail.com
• Christie Robertson: xiebob@gmail.com

Related Episodes / Posts

• District 5 Finalists: Vivian Song and Janis White
• District 4 Finalists: Joe Mizrahi and Laura Marie Rivera
• District 2 Finalists: Sarah Clark and Kathleen Smith

Support the work

Subscribe to Rainy Day Recess
Follow us on Substack and Bluesky
Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org
Support us on Patreon

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Timestamps:

• 01:18 Interview start
• 01:36 Lightning Round
• 07:05 Main interview questions
• 15:42 Preview of other D5 candidates

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Timestamps:

• 01:07 Interview start
• 01:19 Lightning Round
• 06:07 Main interview questions
• 17:55 Preview of other D5 candidates

Support the show

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Timestamps:

• 00:31 About D5
• 01:11 Background
• 03:00 Collaboration -- district, city, county
• 04:58 School board involvement in operational issues
• 06:48 Community relationships
• 08:19 School closures
• 12:46 Achievement gap
• 17:21 Student question - SROs
• 21:01 Student board director question
• 23:33 Preview of other D5 candidates

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Timestamps:

• 01:09 Interview start
• 01:29 Lightning Round
• 06:37 Main interview questions
• 16:46 Preview of other D5 candidates

Support the show

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Timestamps:

• 01:09 Interview start
• 01:24 Lightning Round
• 05:31 Main interview questions
• 18:28 Preview of other D5 candidates

Support the show

Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org.
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Timestamps:

• 01:09 Interview start
• 01:28 Lightning Round
• 09:28 Main interview questions
• 18:42 Preview of other D5 candidates

Support the show

Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org.
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Support the show

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01:38 Lightning Round

06:23 2-minute questions

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01:27 Lightning Round

06:22 2-minute questions

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Sarah discusses her background in education policy, her motivations for running, and the challenges the district faces, particularly regarding the budget and school safety. She emphasizes the importance of community involvement, coalition-building, and her vision for improving Seattle Public Schools. The episode also includes a student-recorded safety question from Rafael Brewer, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures in schools.

Sarah's campaign website https://www.sarah4schoolboard.org/

03:26 Reasons for running, then and now
09:52 Budget
12:56 Student Question
15:59 One Thing

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Eric's campaign page: https://www.feenys.net/

The episode also highlights other District 2 candidates, Sarah Clark and Kathleen Smith, and provides election information ahead of the August 5 primary.

01:08 Interview with Eric Feeny Begins

01:38 Lightning Round with Eric Feeny

07:23 Main Interview Questions

07:42 Eric Feeny's Vision and Policies

12:23 Community Engagement and Communication

13:59 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

16:37 Closing Remarks and Other Candidates

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The conversation begins with lightning-round questions to quickly familiarize listeners with Smith, who is a data scientist at Microsoft. Smith shares her educational background, professional experience, and thoughts on the role of the school board. She emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making, community engagement, and finding a superintendent who genuinely listens to the community. Smith also discusses the challenges of balancing centralized control with school-based decision-making and advocates for clearer metrics to measure equity in education. 

Kathleen's campaign website - https://www.smith-for-schools.com/

The episode concludes with information about other candidates in District 2, Eric Feeny and Sarah Clark, and reminds listeners about the upcoming primary election on August 5.

00:00 Introduction 
00:50 Overview of the Candidate Series
01:23 Interview with Kathleen Smith Begins
01:37 Lightning Round Questions
05:40 Main Interview Questions
11:43 Final Thoughts and Wrap Up
13:13 Closing Remarks and Additional Interviews

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We speak with Tricia DeVille, a newcomer teacher with over 20 years of experience, and Nhi Nguyen, who was DeVille's student in the program back in 2008 and is now a kindergarten teacher at Dunlap herself. We explore how these programs used to work, why a 2008 audit recommended strengthening them, and what's being lost as the district chooses to scatter specialized teachers across multiple schools instead of maintaining dedicated newcomer classrooms.

This is accountability reporting on a policy decision that's affecting real kids, but happening largely out of public view.

See our Show Notes

-- Christie Robertson & Cherylynne Crowther

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See our Show Notes

Support the show

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Are we on a better trajectory at last?

See our Show Notes

Support the work

Subscribe to Rainy Day Recess
Follow us on Substack and Bluesky
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Support us on Patreon

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You can get tickets now for Garfield’s 2025 spring musical Footloose. (Please buy tickets! It helps support the theatre and we have worked really hard on this production!)

See our Show Notes
Support us on Patreon

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- Megan Larkin & Christie Robertson

See our comprehensive Show Notes

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See our Show Notes

Key Concepts:

1. Stability vs. Choice
   The district says it supports both but also that it is a trade-off, especially when staffing is involved. More student movement (choice) can mean less predictability (stability) for schools, which affects staffing and budgets.
2. Assigned School Considerations
   A behind-the-scenes policy where your assigned school’s needs—like maintaining enrollment to avoid losing staff—can block your ability to transfer, even if you're high on the waitlist. Families rarely hear about this directly.
3. Phases of Enrollment
   The enrollment process happens in three key phases:
   • Initial Lottery Phase (February): Families apply by a set deadline. A lottery with tiebreakers (like sibling and geozone priority) determines assignments—but even early applicants may be blocked due to assigned school considerations (see above).
   • Late application phase (March–May): Families can still apply but are added to the end of the waitlist. Placement is much less likely unless unexpected space opens up.
   • Waitlist stays open phase (June–August): Waitlists remain open through August 31. Some families get last-minute assignments, but staffing is already locked in, so movement is limited—often creating confusion and anxiety.
4. Resources & Staffing
   While the district says "resources follow students," in practice, staffing levels appear to be determined by central staff before any student assignments are made, for the sake of stability. The goal seems to be to keep the same amount of staffing at attendance area schools from one year to the next.
5. Barriers for Students with Disabilities
   Students receiving special education services are placed on separate, tightly restricted waitlists. Because placements depend on program availability—not just school space—students with disabilities are effectively excluded from transferring to option schools.

--Jasmine Pulido & Christie Robertson

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This episode explores the questions surrounding school waitlists in Seattle Public Schools — particularly for option schools — including how they’re handled, why they often don’t move, and what the impacts are for students and families. Thanks for the many contributions from educators, students, and community members. including:

• Liza Rankin
• Shraddha Shirude
• Janeal Maurera
• Jessica Baxter
• Erin Combs
• Kaitlin Murdock
• Vivian Van Gelder / SESEC
• Leslie Harris
• Sue Peters
• All Together for Seattle Schools – ATSS
• Seattle School Options Coalition – SSOC

See more in our Show Notes.

   -- by Dawson Nichols

Subscribe to our podcast at rainydayrecess.org

Support our work at our Patreon.

Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org.

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See our extensive Show Notes.

Donate on Patreon.

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See our extensive Show Notes.

- Megan Larkin and Christie Robertson

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You’ll hear how Move-a-Thon dollars go toward everything from snacks and field trips to interpreters and library books—and how it’s helping to build stronger, more connected school communities. Mercer Middle School PTA Vice President Arthitaya Katayama shares firsthand how the funds are impacting her school.

Learn more or donate: sessfa.org 

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Upcoming sessions include 

• Student Outcomes Focused Governance (April 9)
• Budget Fundamentals (April 19)
• Campaign Strategies (April 23)

Registration is still open. Sign up for the Champions for Educational Empowerment training series

Each person's opinion is their own.

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Last week was action-packed with House and Senate budgets dropping last Monday as we were preparing our Week 11 episode. Since then, both budgets have been heard and exec’d out of their fiscal committees, and the Senate budget bill SB 5167 was passed off the Senate and passed off the House floor as this episode was being prepared for publication. The House introduced a “striking amendment” that removed the contents of the Senate bill and replaced it with the contents of the House bill HB 1198. This conflict will form the basis of the remaining negotiations, which will probably mostly take place out of public view. See our comprehensive show notes for some great comparison tables provided by education advocacy groups.

Bill Land

Our two remaining education funding bills - SB 5192 for Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs and SB 5263 for Special Education - are still waiting for a vote in the House Appropriations committee. 

Contact us at big3@rainydayrecess.org

See our comprehensive show notes

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Episode updated March 27 9:40am - Thanks for a listener for letting us know that the North Shore superintendent search is still in progress - https://www.nsd.org/our-district/leadership/superintendent-search

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We update listeners on our two remaining education funding bills - SB 5192 for Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs and SB 5263 for Special Education). These bills have now had a hearing and are waiting for a vote in the House Appropriations committee. We highlight powerful testimony including Bellevue School District's announcement that they'll face "binding conditions" (educational bankruptcy) without additional funding. 

Budget Land

We take you on a welcome tour of "Budget Land" to give you an orientation to Washington State's budget-adoption process. House and Senate Budgets dropped as we were preparing this episode. Hearings and exec will all happen in a super-compressed timeline before we see you for week 12. 

See our Show Notes for contacts and templates to reach out to Appropriations committee members, as well as a freeset of digital green-tinted glasses.

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See our Show Notes

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• Christie Robertson & Jasmine Pulido

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• Megan Larkin and Christie Robertson

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- Christie Robertson and Jasmine Pulido

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• SPS Racial Equity Departments – We follow up on our breaking news segment from February 28, regarding the removal and return of key web pages raises questions about transparency.
• Board Engagement Meeting on the Budget (Feb 26) – Community members push for a more active role in district decisions.
• 2025-26 Budget Planning – SPS projects staffing while awaiting final state funding decisions.
• Listener Feedback – Former Director Vivian Song provides insight into the budget timeline and process.

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Christie Robertson and Jasmine Pulido

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Two transportation funding bills have officially died, leaving advocates scrambling for a budget proviso to secure critical funding for students with high transportation needs. 

Special education funding also took a major hit, as the House unexpectedly removed a strong special ed bill (HB 1310) from consideration, replacing it with a much weaker alternative (HB 1357). While some provisions from HB 1310 were added to HB 1357, funding levels were dramatically reduced. Meanwhile, the Senate’s special education bill (SB 5263) still includes key provisions, like removal of the cap and inclusionary practices funding, and is now a top priority for advocacy.

MSOC (Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs) funding also suffered a devastating blow. A House amendment gutted the proposed funding increase (HB 1338), reducing it from 20% to a meager 0.3%, prompting frustration from advocates and lawmakers alike. The Senate MSOC bill (SB 5192) remains in play with a 6% increase—far from ideal but significantly better than the House version.

We discuss how legislative leadership controls the next steps for the Big 3 bills – getting through Rules committee and making it to a vote on the Floor. The House of Origin cutoff looms on Wednesday, March 12.

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• Megan Larkin and Christie Robertson

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Two major departments dedicated to racial equity have disappeared from the SPS website —Department of Racial Equity Advancement (DREA) and African American Male Achievement (AAMA).

Note: This is a developing story 

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All of the Big 3 bills survived the policy cutoff, and some of them look on track to make it through the fiscal cutoff this Friday - the MSOC and special education bills are all scheduled for executive sessions on Thursday, February 27. However, transportation funding increases are at risk, as key bills have not yet been scheduled as of yet.

We break down how fiscal committees work, including how legislators may attempt to dial down funding levels or make other changes through the amendment and substitution process in the executive session. 

We highlight concerns about special education funding, particularly the risk of reduced excess cost multipliers and the possible removal of funding for OSPI’s inclusionary work.

With a February 28 deadline approaching for fiscal committees, we encourage listeners to contact legislators—especially those on the Senate Ways & Means or House Appropriations Committees—to protect critical funding. 

Looking ahead, we preview the next hurdles: Rules Committee screenings and floor debates, leading up to the March 12 cutoff for bills to pass their house of origin.

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🔹 Restraint & Isolation – For the third year in a row, testimony reveals heartbreaking stories of students being restrained, isolated, and ignored by lawmakers.

🔹 Students Caught in the Crossfire – A shooting at the Bridges and Interagency School leaves vulnerable students in harm’s way, while district leaders remain silent.

🔹 February 12 School Board Meeting: The School Board votes on the superintendent’s contract (again), hears a detailed analysis of the enrollment study done by Strategies360, and has an emotional discussion on the future of the Highly Capable Cohort. 

🔹 Listener Feedback & Community Notes: We share what our listener community is talking about, including how executive orders on the federal level are being addressed on the state and district level, and option school waitlists.

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In Week 6 of the 2025 Washington State legislative session, we delve into the status of the Big 3 funding priorities for public education: special education, pupil transportation, and MSOC (materials, supplies, and operating costs). With the first policy cutoff approaching on February 21st, any bill not passed out of its policy committee by then will be considered dead for the year—though exceptions exist.

Megan Larkin shares insights on how to advocate for the Big 3 bills, emphasizing the importance of contacting key legislators and maintaining pressure to get bills scheduled for executive action. 

We also recap Focus Day, where education advocates gathered in Olympia, demonstrating strong support for the Big 3 priorities. With legislative deadlines looming, staying engaged remains critical to securing full funding for public education.

Stay tuned as we continue this journey through the fiscal cutoff and beyond.

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This week’s theme: “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” With many bills still making their way through the process, now is the time to stay engaged and keep the pressure on lawmakers to ensure full funding for public education.

Send us a voice memo with your impact stories at hello@rainydayrecess.org.

See our Show Notes

Each person’s opinions are their own. 

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In this episode:

1. Special School Board Meeting: The School Board listens to public testimony on the proposed Goals and Guardrails  before discussing, amending, and adopting the new Goals and Guardrails for 2025-2030.
2. National Assessment of Educational Progress : We mention the recently released  results of national test scores from the Department of Education. 
3. Community Notes: We share what our community is talking about including the controversial school levy on the next ballot and our experiences at the Billion Dollar Bake Sale. 

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TRANSPORTATION BILLS:

• SB 5187 - Wellman
• HB 1579 - Nance 

MSOC (Materials, Supplies, Operating Costs) BILLS:

• SB 5192 - Nobles
• HB 1338 - Berg

SPECIAL EDUCATION BILLS:

• SB 5263 - Pedersen/Braun
• HB 1310 - Pollet

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In this episode:

• School Board Meeting: President Gina Topp's first full meeting featured strong facilitation and substantive debate.
  • Goals and Guardrails: Board discussed reading targets, math goals, and graduation requirements, with student directors providing key insights. Decision postponed to January 29th.
  • Budget Preview: High-level look at addressing potential $100M shortfall, with preview of upcoming enrollment study showing 86% family satisfaction.
  • Public Testimony: Strong advocacy for libraries, concerns about racial disparities, calls for ethnic studies, and questions about HCC transitions.
• Community Updates: West Seattle education funding event and upcoming "Billion Dollar Bake Sale" advocacy in Olympia.

See our Show Notes.

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--> SIGN IN on special education bills in Appropriations.

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Each person’s opinions are their own. Contact us with comments, questions, or corrections at hello@rainydayrecess.org.

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In this episode:

1. School Board Retreat: A new team-building exercise reveals governance styles, with an emphasis on detail-oriented approaches and a notable absence of "caring" styles on the board.
2. Goals and Guardrails Meetings: Short notice and low attendance at Goals and Guardrails meetings raise concerns about representation and effectiveness.
3. Legislative Insights: Legislature kicks off with some great informational sessions.
4. Community Events: Recap of the "From Crisis to Classroom" event, featuring local activists and union leaders discussing fair school funding. Upcoming education funding event in West Seattle.
5. Listener Notes: Kaitlin Murdock’s analysis comparing Goals and Guardrails for successful urban districts.
6. Call to Action: January 30th Billion Dollar Bake Sale rally planned in Olympia to advocate for education funding.

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In this episode of Rainy Day Recess, we guide listeners through the process of signing in "pro" to support key education funding bills in Washington State. With a step-by-step demonstration, we make it easy for anyone to take action and help secure funding for public schools. Listen to Advocacy 101 for background.

----------->>>>>>>>>>>>> Sign in Pro on the Funding Bills

This interview was edited for length and clarity. Each person’s opinions are their own. 

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In this episode:

1. School Board Update: New leadership elected with Gina Topp as president
2. Progress Monitoring Report: Math scores improved while reading declined
3. Listener Feedback: Teacher shares challenges with Advanced Learning implementation
4. South End Education Town Hall: Students organize forum on budget impacts

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Each person’s opinions are their own. See our Show Notes.

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We explore the district’s controversial decision to phase out the Highly Capable Cohort (HCC) model without fully implementing promised neighborhood-based services. Jie discusses how these changes affect access, equity, and the future of advanced learning, highlighting the struggle for many students—especially neurodivergent and underrepresented learners—who risk being left behind.

Through candid reflections on advocacy, policy, and personal resilience, this episode offers an in-depth look at what’s at stake for Seattle’s students and how meaningful change could still be possible.

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In this episode:

1. Listener Feedback
2. Special School Board Meeting, Dec 11, 2024 - board sets goals and guardrails
3. House Education Meeting, Dec 10, 2024 - science of reading, education of justice-involved youth, and restraint and isolation training progress
4. House Appropriations State Budgeting, Dec 9, 2024 - how state budget works
5. Community Notes

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In this episode:

1. Special School Board Special Meeting (November 26, 2024)
2. Hearing for the Petition to Recall Board President Liza Rankin (December 2, 2024)
3. School Board Audit Committee Meeting (December 3, 2024)
4. Special Education Audit Report to JLARC, a joint committee of the Washington State Legislature 
5. Community Notes

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They outline their mission to empower listeners with weekly updates, event highlights, expert interviews, and stories from students, parents, and community members. With a focus on collaboration and understanding, the hosts aim to help listeners navigate Seattle's school district "one rainy day at a time." Stay tuned for their new website, logo, and upcoming episodes!

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