Rainy Day Recess

In this first installment of our three-part series unpacking Left to Chance: Student Outcomes in Seattle Public Schools (2024), hosts Christie Robertson and Jasmine Pulido sit down with report author Vivian Van Gelder to trace thirty years of reform and turmoil inside Seattle Public Schools.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 materialsLeft to Chance: Student Outcomes in Seattle Public Schools (Vivian Van Gelder, 2024) Report TimelineCresap 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 showContact us at [email protected] Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

Sarah Clark is running for Seattle School Board District 2, which covers NW Seattle including Magnolia, Ballard, North Beach, southern Greenwood, and Green Lake. Her opponent is Kathleen Smith. This interview is part of our 2025 Seattle School Board Candidate series. Every Seattle voter will vote on four school board races in the general election: Districts 2, 4, 5, and 7.About Sarah ClarkCurrently serving as District 2 school board director (appointed April 2024, running to retain seat)Director of Policy at Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of CommerceMaster's in Education Policy from University of WashingtonGraduate 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 LiaisonKey PositionsOn Why She's Running:Believes in coalition building and comprehensive policymakingWants to involve community more in the workDistrict is in crisis deeper than initially understoodSees opportunity to fix problems with new generation of collaborative board membersWants to set things up for success 10 years from nowOn Budget:Current budget reflects hope for legislative supportAlso preparing for scenario without enough fundingMany fixed costs (labor contracts, levies) limit flexibilityCommunity engagement is critical part of budget processHard decisions may be necessary if funding doesn't come throughOn Student Safety:Experienced assault as sophomore at Garfield (drives dedication to this issue)Current approach has failed; past models weren't successful eitherWorking to convene group of SPS/SPD leaders, community, city council, mayor's officeStudent safety policies need to be flexible and evolveCommitted to restoring district's relationship with SPD for 2025-2026Can't promise school resource officers will return in previous formOn Her Background:Was in Highly Capable Program (APP) and experienced segregation by academic programsShocked by difference between advanced classes and regular classesStudied equity and legacy of colonialism at UWEducation opened doors and she wants that access for othersHas two nieces in SPSOn 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 valuesHopeful that local action can make impact despite federal challengesReady to develop fresh ideas to meet every student's needImportant InfoBallots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4thAlso listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.orgSarah's campaign: https://www.sarah4schoolboard.org/Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org | [email protected] the showContact us at [email protected] Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

Vivian Song is running for Seattle School Board District 5, which covers Montlake to the Central District, Leschi to Eastlake, Capitol Hill, Madison Valley, and Madison Park. Her opponent is Janis White. This interview is part of our 2025 Seattle School Board Candidate series. Every Seattle voter will vote on four school board races in the general election: Districts 2, 4, 5, and 7.About Vivian SongFinance professional and advocate for childrenParent with kids in both Seattle Public Schools and private schoolPreviously served as Seattle School Board directorWorked directly with SPS's $1.2 billion operating budgetServed on Levy Oversight CommitteeMember of a unionKey PositionsFirst Priority:Bring back Finance committee and Friday memosAdd another school board meeting each monthOn Structural Deficit:Look at largest sources (bus transportation and substitutes)Spend money more efficiently while delivering better servicesOn School Board Role:Serving as community representatives has been missingDistrict needs to bring community along in decisionsLack of community involvement needs to be front and centerOn Superintendent Search:Need someone good at building a team who can identify their strengths and weaknessesShould set plan for first 100 days and a 10-year visionConcerned chief academic officer position hasn't been filledOn District Structure:Supports hybrid approach balancing centralized and school-based decision makingSchools should have flexibility in professional development, enrichment, and culturally relevant curriculumCentral office should ensure equity and set clear goals for student successOn When Goals Aren't Met:Board should take action, not merely accept progress monitoringAsk what work has been done to understand why strategies haven't workedEnsure principals participate in progress monitoring and receive dataOn Community Engagement:Board should demonstrate awareness and push superintendent to make a planTrack and communicate what topics are being heard from communityBe careful not to listen only to loudest voicesOther Positions:Budgeting needs to be equitable and student-centeredSees board role as accountable to votersEducational Leader She Admires: John StanfordExcited to Work With: Director Joe MizrahiImportant InfoBallots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4thAlso listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.orgVivian's campaign: songforseattleschools.comPodcast info: rainydayrecess.org | [email protected] the showContact us at [email protected] Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

Laura Marie Rivera is running for Seattle School Board District 4, which covers Queen Anne, Belltown, South Lake Union, Downtown to I-5, Pioneer Square area, and parts of Fremont and Wallingford (including Lincoln High School). Her opponent is Joe Mizrahi. This interview is part of our 2025 Seattle School Board Candidate series. Every Seattle voter will vote on four school board races in the general election: Districts 2, 4, 5, and 7.About Laura Marie RiveraRecently completed Doctor of Education (defended dissertation during campaign)Two decades as educator, nonprofit professionalFounded 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 schoolMember of four unions throughout careerWent to school in San Juan Unified School District, Sacramento, CaliforniaKey PositionsFirst Priority:Restore second school board meeting every monthMore public engagement and better communication with staffOn School Board Role:Directors need to be more flexible beyond policy-settingShould look at individual students and how they're reaching goalsBoard should facilitate responses when systems aren't working for studentsOn Superintendent Search:Need someone with experience managing large budget and deficitWant actual education experience to understand classroom impactBoard needs to improve relationship with superintendent's office and publicConcerned current board hasn't set up next superintendent for successOn District Structure:Flexibility is keyFront-line educators and staff should make decisions (they see kids daily)All kids don't need same things—they're individualsCan't set one approach for 50,000 students at district policy levelOn When Goals Aren't Met:Goals are modest; would like higher goalsMust step down to individual level to understand what each child needsCould be classroom support, breakfast, undiagnosed learning disabilityEach individual child needs to meet standards for best chance at successOn Community Engagement:SPS has talked about engagement and communication for entire decadeReducing public engagement was a mistakeNeed to be thoughtful about what to do with community inputTask force recommendations should not be ignoredOther Positions:Strongly supports SPS non-discrimination policy (though notes it doesn't always work in practice)Sees board role as both trustee and representativeBelieves budget is a moral documentEducational 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 InfoBallots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4thAlso listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.orgLaura Marie's campaign: https://lauramarie4seattleschools.com/Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org | [email protected] the showContact us at [email protected] Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

Joe Mizrahi is running for Seattle School Board District 4, which covers Queen Anne, Fremont, Belltown, and South Lake Union. His opponent is Laura Marie Rivera. This interview is part of our 2025 Seattle School Board Candidate series. Every Seattle voter will vote on four school board races in the general election: Districts 2, 4, 5, and 7.About Joe MizrahiSecretary 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 SchoolsCo-chair of $2 billion pension fundServes on multiple boardsHas testified to state legislature annually since 2008Key PositionsFirst Priority:Bring back committee structures for board membersNeed deeper dives on issuesOn School Board Role:Hold district accountable to voters' values and strategic visionApprove budget with eye toward sustainability for next decadeBe connective tissue with general publicOn Superintendent Search:Need someone who can hold system accountableStrong communication skills and ability to draw in communityBrings strong vision for districtOn District Structure:Worst choice is operating halfway between systemsLikes autonomy for different program choicesNeeds centralization for support and standardsEvery building should have its own feelOn When Goals Aren't Met:Hold superintendent accountable through evaluationsSet meeting agendas to make staff explain issuesCan reject plans and ask for better onesBe careful not to over-rely on standardized testsOn Community Engagement:Use board position to bring issues to meetings and agendaExample: forced district to address waitlists and enrollmentJob is to carry community concerns, not tell educators how to do their jobsOther Positions:Strongly supports special education inclusion and dual language immersionSees board role as both trustee and representativeEducational Leader He Admires: His mother (special education teacher who fought for inclusion)Most Aligned With: School Board President Gina ToppImportant InfoBallots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4thAlso listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.orgJoe's campaign: joe4schools.comPodcast info: rainydayrecess.org | [email protected] the showContact us at [email protected] Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

Janis White is running for Seattle School Board District 5, which covers the Central Area, part of the International District, Leschi, Madrona, Capitol Hill, Madison Valley, Madison Park, Montlake, and Eastlake. Her opponent is Vivian Song. This interview is part of our 2025 Seattle School Board Candidate series. Every Seattle voter will vote on four school board races in the general election: Districts 2, 4, 5, and 7.About Janis WhiteLawyer with over 40 years of practiceParent of three kids who attended Seattle Public Schools K-12 (graduated 2019 and 2023)Former president of Seattle Special Education PTSAFormer president of Ken Haven Music School boardAttended public school K-12 in Great Neck, New YorkHas testified at board meetings and state legislature many timesKey PositionsFirst Priority:Bring back standing committees, most urgently budget and finance committeeOn 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 policiesNeeds regular reporting, school visits, community meetingsCannot say reviewing operations isn't part of the jobOn Superintendent Search:Need proven track record of implementing clear communication standards across large organizationExperience addressing problematic culture issuesMust have curiosity mindset about making change happenMust identify and address structural issues causing budget deficitsOn District Structure:Need to find right balance between centralization and site-based managementToo much centralization discourages community engagementNeed standards, expectations, and oversight for healthy systemProcess of finding balance would build community supportOn When Goals Aren't Met:Current goals don't properly follow Targeted Universalism frameworkBoard needs to ask more probing questions when goals not metShould express concern if staff are resistant to thinking outside the boxProgress monitoring system has encouraged attention to dataOn Community Engagement:Large turnouts at board meetings are symptom of failed communicationBoard not aware enough of how community experiences school systemGuardrails written too negatively (should state what you want, not what you don't)Board should respond to issues brought via public testimonyOther Positions:Strongly supports inclusive classrooms for students with disabilitiesDoesn't support over-reliance on standardized testingSchool board responsible to students and public at largeEducational 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 InfoBallots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4thAlso listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.orgJanis's campaign: https://www.janisforseattleschools.com/Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org | [email protected] the showContact us at [email protected] Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

Kathleen Smith is running for Seattle School Board District 2, which covers Magnolia, Ballard, North Beach, and Green Lake. Her opponent is Sarah Clark. This interview is part of our 2025 Seattle School Board Candidate series. Every Seattle voter will vote on four school board races in the general election: Districts 2, 4, 5, and 7.About Kathleen SmithData scientist at MicrosoftParent of 5-year-old entering kindergarten in SPSComes from family of educatorsAttended public schools, then Annie Wright School in TacomaEndorsed by Seattle Education AssociationKey PositionsFirst Priority:Add more ways for student school board directors to have power and contributeOn School Board Role:Board sets policy and holds district accountable through superintendentCurrently a disconnect between board and districtNeed balance between micromanaging and providing clear guardrailsImportant to build strong working relationships for alignmentOn Superintendent Search:Should consider hiring interim superintendent firstNeed someone who will truly listen to communityBalance listening with leading with confidenceMust understand Seattle's geographic and demographic diversityOn District Structure:Current balance is worst of both worldsSchools have accountability (funding tied to enrollment) but no controlDistrict should be more accountable for quality; schools have more controlAllow for local differentiationOn When Goals Aren't Met:Getting new superintendent is biggest lever for changeBoard doesn't have power to force district to changePower is in finding superintendent who will guide needed changesOn Community Engagement:Ultimate power is finding right superintendentBoard can help engage community to define expectations clearlyIf district won't listen, must replace superintendentOn Her Approach:Not a policy wonk; brings data analysis and science skillsWants clearer metrics for measuring equityKnown for seeking different perspectives and listeningFast learner despite learning curveWants to fight for educator living wagesOther Positions:Strongly supports Individuals with Disabilities Education ActSees board role as accountable to votersEducational Leader She Admires: Her mother (teacher)Looking Forward to Working With: Liza RankinImportant InfoBallots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4thAlso listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.orgKathleen's campaign: https://www.smith-for-schools.com/Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org | [email protected] the showContact us at [email protected] Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

Carol Rava is running for Seattle School Board District 7, which covers South Seattle (east of I-5, south of Jackson). Her opponent is Jen LaVallee. This interview is part of our 2025 Seattle School Board Candidate series. Every Seattle voter will vote on four school board races in the general election: Districts 2, 4, 5, and 7.About Carol RavaManages $150 million grant-making team at Ascendium philanthropyMaster's in Education Policy; nearly 30 years in educationFormer Executive Director of Strategic Planning at SPS (2008-2010)Parent/stepparent of 5 SPS students across multiple schoolsCompleting K-12 Finance certificate from Georgetown UniversityKey PositionsFirst Priority:End Student Outcomes Focused Governance modelRestore Finance and Audit oversight committeesOn Her Approach:Focused on setting goals and aligning how the district works to those goalsBelieves goals need to be transparent and reflect the whole communityDistrict needs to hold itself accountable and make mid-course corrections when not meeting goalsOn District Structure:Advocates for consistency in quality across all schools regardless of locationBelieves it's not sustainable for a hundred buildings to pick a hundred different approaches to teaching and curriculumWants balance that allows unique school cultures to thrive while ensuring excellence students and parents can rely onOn Supporting Struggling Students:Supports research-based intensive one-to-one tutoringEmphasizes disaggregating data to understand who needs help whereWants to use best practices and research to provide the right supportsOn Community Engagement:Board serves as a conduit from the community to the districtOne of the main things the school board can do is hold the superintendent accountable for high quality community engagementOther Positions:Supports district-wide cell phone policyWants [email protected] to actually be responsiveAdmires: Jeanette "Mrs. Jones" Jones (Washington Middle School administrator who "believed in every child")Excited to Work With: Director Gina ToppImportant InfoBallots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4thAlso listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.orgCarol's campaign: electcarolrava.comPodcast info: rainydayrecess.org | [email protected] the showContact us at [email protected] Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

Jen LaVallee is running for Seattle School Board District 7, which covers South Seattle (Rainier Beach to Mount Baker, including parts of the International District and First Hill). Her opponent is Carol Rava. This interview is part of our 2025 Seattle School Board Candidate series. Every Seattle voter will vote on four school board races in the general election: Districts 2, 4, 5, and 7.About Jen LaValleeProduct designer focusing on research, strategy, and designParent of two elementary school students in Seattle Public SchoolsHas testified at school board meetings and state legislatureHas served on a boardKey PositionsFirst Priority:Restore board committees with thoughtful construction to ensure recommendations are actionableOn Budget Crisis:Solving deficits should not come from large cuts to schoolsSupports independent audits and ensuring budget timelines allow for deep review of impactsBoard members need to push for stability and growth, not just school-based cutsOn Superintendent Search:Need effective management to address central office dysfunctionLeader who can communicate effectively, test ideas, and look deeply at unintended impactsSomeone with insight from other districts who can build a better functioning SPSOn District Structure:Need a different balance between centralized control and school-based decision makingSchools have unique programs that make parents excitedMust ensure all kids meet baselines for success and education qualityPartnership between central office and school sites needs improvementOn When Goals Aren't Met:First assess if the goal was attainableEvaluate what steps were taken and be critical about whether they were right stepsHold superintendent accountableSet up for future success based on learningOn Community Engagement:Community expects people to show up and engageToo many community values are not part of Student Outcomes Focused Governance frameworkWould be responsive, as she has been in her community for yearsOther Positions:Strongly supports the Ensuring Educational and Racial Equity policyWants better enrollment planning to reduce October shufflesSees board role as leaning toward representative/accountable to voters, balanced with making hard decisions for long-term benefitEducational Leader She Admires: Aaron Pribble, her 12th grade teacher who suggested she get tested for dyslexiaExcited to Work With: Director Joe MizrahiImportant InfoBallots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4thAlso listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.orgJen's campaign: votelavallee.comPodcast info: rainydayrecess.org | [email protected] the showContact us at [email protected] Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

Co-hosts Christie, Cherylynne, and Jasmine give updates on some SPS developments over the summer, school board election results, and a big change coming soon to Rainy Day Recess.Summer School Board MeetingsJuly 2 School Board MeetingJuly 30 Special School Board MeetingAugust 27 School Board MeetingFred Podesta EmailSchool Board Primary Election Results School Board 2025Aug-results-final.pdfArticles MentionedThe GradeSeattle Times, August 8, 2025: Backing counted in Seattle School Board primaries; money, not so muchSeattle Times, August 20, 2025: Seattle teachers’ contract takes new approach to classroom disruptionsSeattle Times, August 28, 2025: Survey says this is what Seattle schools want in next superintendentWhere You Can Find Us…Cherylynne Crowther: Liberate DisabilitySign up for the October 11 workshop - Discover Your IEP Advocacy Style—And Why It's Already WorkingJasmine PulidoTransportation Justice Limited Series Podcast: Transit in Transition Available for writing contracts - Email: [email protected] Robertson: [email protected] Episodes / PostsDistrict 5 Finalists: Vivian Song and Janis WhiteDistrict 4 Finalists: Joe Mizrahi and Laura Marie RiveraDistrict 2 Finalists: Sarah Clark and Kathleen SmithSupport the workSubscribe to Rainy Day RecessFollow us on Substack and BlueskyContact us at [email protected] us on PatreonSupport the showContact us at [email protected] Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.