School candidates pledge to restore public confidence

Candidates for West Seattle's Seattle School Board position told the community last week what they would do to restore confidence in the public school system and unite an often-divided board.

Candidates from each of the four open School Board positions came to meet community members one-on-one before a moderated forum held at Pathfinder K-8 Alternative School.

Four of five West Seattle candidates showed up: Maria Ramirez, Edwin Fruit, Dan Dempsey and Steve Sundquist. The fifth registered candidate, Zeinab Ahmed, has withdrawn from the race.

These candidates will face off in the Aug. 21 primary, in which only voters from District 6 will cast ballots. The top two from the primary will advance to a citywide race in the November general election.

West Seattle incumbent Irene Stewart, current board member elected in 2003, announced earlier this year that she would not seek re-election.

Each candidate was given three minutes to present their views before taking questions from the audience. More than 50 people came and spread out blankets on Pathfinder's front lawn to listen.

A resident of West Seattle for 12 years, Ramirez said her degree in economics makes her qualified to handle and understand the complex issues of public finance management. Ramirez's two children have attended several local schools, including Denny and Madison middle schools. She also co-directs the Campa–a Quetzalan advocacy group for Latino students in Seattle.

As a board member Ramirez said she would focus on better outreach to bi-lingual families and try to get everyone involved in parent teacher associations.

"I'm here for the kids and better schools in Seattle," she said. "There's a lot of work to do and the parents are a big part of turning this around. I'm ready to get in, suit up and play."

Dempsey, a recently retired West Seattle High math teacher, has dubbed himself the "nuts and bolts" candidate. He promised that as a board member he would visit schools "to get a feel for the entire operation."

"Most of the real learning happens in the classroom, too often decision makers are isolated from the classroom level," Dempsey said.

He advocates for smaller class sizes and said the closing of any school "should be strongly discouraged."

"As a board member I will work full time with an eye out for the truth," Dempsey said. "Visions are interesting but must connect with reality."

Another candidate, Sundquist, has a very different background than Dempsey. Also retired, but from Russell Investment Group, Sundquist said his experience managing multi-million dollar budgets and hundreds of staff make him right for the all volunteer job.

He's lived in West Seattle 17 years and was active in establishing the International Baccalaureate program at Chief Sealth where his daughter will attend this fall, Sundquist said.

His goals focus around closing the achievement gap between white and minority students, increasing academic levels for all students and restoring leadership, accountability and long-term finances for the district.

Fruit is running as a socialist candidate. He said schools, much like society, are too class based.

He pledged to work toward ending inequity among Seattle schools and bringing back families that have left for private institutions. Securing long-term funding for the system will take a major social movement, though, Fruit said.

"We think it's going to take a change in society (like the civil rights movement in the 1960s) so that education becomes a priority," he said.

James Kovacevich, a West Seattle resident who attended the forum last week, believes Dempsey has what it takes to improve graduation rates and restore confidence in the public school system.

The biggest charge of the new school board will be to restore the "ethics, confidence and decency" in the public school system, he said.

"I think there are some serious questions on Seattle Public Schools, but we need someone who can prove that (public schools) can help all kids," Kovacevich said.

Kovacevich also likes the fact Dempsey has had more than 30 years experience in the classroom.

"The hands on in the classroom experience can really approach how we can facilitate that process," he said. "The board needs someone that can reach out to combine the politics with the process."

Rebekah Schilperoort may be reached at 783.1244 or rebekahs@robinsonnews.com