Increasing School Board Accountability
In the mid 2000s, Seattle Public Schools were struggling and many residents felt helpless. Lower voter participation in the February 2007 school levy, compared to the previous two elections, showed that civic engagement around schools had decreased, while heightened attention to the school district's challenges, from school closures to persistent achievement gaps for low-income and minority children, provided an opportune time for civic dialog on this issue.
How Washington Appleseed is Helping
Washington Appleseed set out to start a community conversation about a variety of school board topics: differentiating the roles of the school board versus the superintendent, qualities of a high-functioning school board, skills needed by school board members, effective school board models in other areas of the country, and how voters can best evaluate candidates vying for a seat on the board.
Panelists included:
- Cathy Allen, president, The Connections Group
- Andrew Thibault, principal, Evans/McDonough Company, Inc.
- Porsche Everson, president, Relevant Strategies
- Lynne Varner, Seattle Times editorial columnist
View a recording of the May 23, 2007, Washington Appleseed–sponsored Town Hall Forum on-line on the Seattle Channel.
Pro Bono and Community Partners
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