Candidate statements: Shoreline School Board

There are three school board positions (District Directors) in the 2019 election: Districts 1, 4, and 5. Position 1 has two candidates: incumbent Michael Jacobs and challenger Meghan Jernigan. They will face off in the November general election.

Position 4 incumbent Dick Nicholson has withdrawn from the race, leaving challenger Rebeca Rivera as the sole candidate / winner.

Position 5, the open seat vacated by the retirement of Dick Potter, has three candidates: Joe Cunningham, Sara Betnel, and Mike Dee McMullin. This race is in the primary election. The top two candidates will advance to the general election.

The School Board primary candidates were asked to respond to the following questions:

Why do you want to be on the school board? Once you are on the board, how would you gather information from parents and the greater community in order to inform your decisions?

JOE CUNNINGHAM

My life is devoted to advocating for early-childhood learning and equal access to education. Raised by two public school teachers on Native American reservations in Central America allowed me to understand that education is unequable.

I have lived in Shoreline for 20 years, with two children who attended public school. I served as a parent advocate helping families understand developmental needs and how to change policy. Raising a son with autism, I worked with the Shoreline School’s to achieve success. I want families to receive the same positive outcomes.

Throughout my career, I cut through bureaucracies at local, state, regional level; working directly for elected officials, Children's Campaign Fund, and Arc of King County.

I will increase parent involvement. Active steps will include conference calls, listening sessions, cooperation with agencies, and online/social media outreach.

We have to redefine involvement to accommodate families' time. I’ll start by listening to you.

Website: www.electjoecunningham.com/
Email: joe@electjoecunningham.com

SARA BETNEL

I love this community and care deeply about creating a place where all our children thrive. We have a great school district for many, but not for all.

As a parent actively involved in our children’s classrooms and schools, I have seen how difficult it is for families to be informed about, and included in, decisions being made - leaving many students under-served.

Through conversations with students, parents, and educators across the District, I’ve learned how inequities exist between and within our schools - further impacting some of our most vulnerable students.

I want to join the School Board to create a more transparent, inclusive, and equitable District for all.

As a voice for our community, I will:

• be available for personal conversations.
• actively invite input from all.
• attend student, PTA/school, and community meetings.
• hold listening sessions to hear family/community concerns.

I would love to hear from you!

Website: www.sara4shorelineschools.com
Email: sara@sara4shorelineschools.com

MIKE DEE MCMULLIN

Website: MikeDSchoolBoard5.weebly.com/

Email: MikeDSchoolBoard5@Gmail.Com

No statement submitted