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-Seattle public schools face
large budget, equity, capacity,
and instructional challenges.
Over the years,
I have advocated
for policy changes
about various issues,
from school boundaries
to school funding
to advanced learning policies,
and attended
many director meetings.
I have run a community blog
to share information among parents.
I have volunteered in the schools
on a weekly basis,
running math clubs.
I have participated at PTSA
and been part of
the building leadership team
for Jane Addams Middle School.
I have experienced
everything from IEP meetings
to helping get a new building
up and running
to creating a school budget.
As a parent of two children
with different needs
and eight years of direct experience
with Seattle public schools,
I am now running
to help build a better system
for all our students,
families, teachers, and staff.
My focus for the board
is consistency.
Too much varies
between school buildings.
Families need stronger guarantees
about each child's
core experience.
Everything from whether
there's a full-time librarian
to how much time for lunch
to access to instrumental music
and advanced learning depends
on a student's address.
Openness --
central staff have made strides
at engaging with the community,
but significant
district decisions
still happen quickly
without adequate explanation
or fully examining
possible alternatives.
I will demand
greater authentic engagement.
Family services --
from smaller tasks
like registering for schools
to major challenges
like finding out how to get
services for a struggling student,
our district
needs to remove barriers.
As a parent within the
special education system,
I know personally
how hard it is to navigate SPS.
Excellence and equity --
we should meet students where they are
and provide opportunities
for continual growth.
We need to build a strong,
differentiated curriculum
and ensure opportunities
at every building
to participate in activities
that kindle students' passions
in arts, sports, clubs,
and academics.
The district is rich in diversity.
53% are students of color.
If we address gaps in opportunity,
we will help solve gaps
in outcomes.
I am committed to both.
-Hi, there.
My name is Chandra Hampson,
and I'm running
to be your next school board member.
I'm running because our children
deserve a transformative education.
I began advocating
in our schools six years ago,
when my own children
started attending public schools.
Seattle is a world-class city
that has the potential to be
a national leader in education.
However, like every parent,
I've noticed
the many difficulties.
Seattle public schools
face major challenges
around equity, family engagement,
and fiscal transparency.
You've probably heard
the big debates
over our priorities
for Seattle public schools.
Some argue we should focus
on making Seattle
an innovative district
that tackles social inequity
and develops programs
that prepare our kids
for an increasingly global world.
Others say that we should focus
on the fundamentals,
a well-run school district
that provides a safe,
stable learning environment.
The truth is we can do both.
When we address inequity,
we work to foster an environment
that's safe and stable
for all students.
And when we focus on
transparency and accountability,
we build a culture
that demands results
and puts students first.
To accomplish our goals,
we need a school board
with the right combination
of passion and experience.
As president of the Seattle Council PTSA,
I've led groups of parents,
community stakeholders,
and elected officials,
protecting funding
and delivering results
for Seattle students.
I have an MBA from
the University of Washington
and decades of experience in budgeting.
I've consulted
on many educational issues,
including around
marginalized groups
and, as a proud
Native American parent,
indigenous populations.
I will be a strong advocate for
well-funded public schools
and equity in education,
including eliminating disparities
around racial and gender lines.
Through my work,
I'm proud to have earned the support of
Representative Gerry Pollet,
former Representative Jessyn Farrell,
the 46th legislative
district Democrats,
Council Member Debora Juarez,
school board members
Jill Geary and Zachary DeWolf,
and many more.
If you're looking
for someone with a passion
for social justice
and the experience to get things done,
my name is Chandra Hampson.
I would be honored
to have your vote.
-Hi. My name is Rebeca Muñiz,
and I'm running to be
your next Seattle school board director,
position 3.
I was raised by my mother, Alma,
who immigrated from Mexico.
I grew up watching her do whatever it took
to take care of her family.
I would sit quietly
while watching her clean offices,
vacuum floors, empty trash bins,
and Windex windows.
Dripping in sweat, she would
apologize again and again,
saying, "I'm sorry.
Just one more office."
Throughout the years,
her encouragement and determination
helped me to pursue an education
and get a good job.
My mentors along the way
have shown me that all it takes
is one person to believe
and invest in a child
for them to believe
in themselves.
I graduated from
the University of Washington
with a master's degree
in education policy
and leadership.
Now I'm running to serve as
a Seattle school board director
in order to help more kids
find their own opportunity
to a brighter future.
I have three things I care about most.
First, transparency
and accountability.
I want to lead
with the community behind me,
not the other way around.
This means I will commit
to weekly office hours
at accessible locations
but also being transparent
about our budget.
Second, I want to increase
opportunities for all students.
I will fight for a greater focus
on racial equity and inclusion
in all levels of the school board.
We need to address
the specific needs of students,
from providing ethnic studies
to increasing girls' participation
in STEM activities
to after-school opportunities
that serve low-income students,
queer students,
and students of color.
Third, student stability.
We need to increase
wraparound services for students
experiencing housing instability.
There should be
a family engagement professional
at every school.
We also need to review and reform
current disciplinary practices
that harm students of color
at higher rates.
I am so grateful
for the community leaders
and organizations
who endorse my vision,
including school board directors
Eden Mack and Scott Pinkham,
Council Member Lorena González,
State Senators Joe Nguyen
and Bob Hasegawa,
and the 46th Democrats.
Thank you for engaging,
and I hope to have your vote August 6th.
Again, my name is Rebeca Muñiz,
and I'm running for
Seattle school board position 3.
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