VOTE411 Voter Guide

Cell phone use in schools should be limited strictly to emergencies. To maintain a focused and respectful learning environment, all student cell phones should be turned off or set to silent mode during class time.

Unrestricted cell phone use is a growing distraction that disrupts instruction, impacts academic performance, and interferes with student engagement. By setting clear expectations around technology use, we can help students build healthier boundaries and encourage more meaningful participation in the classroom.

Establishing a consistent, district-wide policy on cell phone use will not only support teachers in managing their classrooms, but also reinforce the value of staying present, respectful, and focused during the school day.

Demand Transparency and Accountability I believe that when our schools face financial deficits, the first step must be transparency. I will advocate for a full, independent audit to understand exactly how and where funds are being spent—and where gaps or inefficiencies exist.

Investigate and Identify Root Causes It’s not enough to accept “budget cuts” as an answer. I will dig deep into district financial records, ask the hard questions, and seek clear explanations for why funding is unstable. This includes examining administrative costs, contract spending, and reserve funds.

Pursue Alternative Funding I will actively seek grants, partnerships, and fundraising opportunities to esources available—we just need leadership committed to going after them.

Engage the Community I will work collaboratively with parents, teachers, and community members to build support for fair and responsible school funding. Together, we can advocate for our school budget. There are local, state, and federal

When schools begin to face financial deficits, it is critical that we take a close and transparent look at how funds are being managed. A full financial audit should be conducted to identify where money is being spent, where inefficiencies may exist, and why funding is not secure.

If elected, I will prioritize researching the root causes of our district’s financial shortfalls. I will work to bring clarity and accountability to the budgeting process, ensuring that our resources are used responsibly and in the best interest of our students.

In addition, I am committed to actively seeking out solutions by pursuing grants, building community partnerships, and leading fundraising efforts to bring in additional support. Our schools deserve sustainable funding—and I will work tirelessly to make that a reality.

School districts must make it a priority to improve transparency and communication with parents and the wider community. Families deserve to be informed, included, and heard when it comes to decisions that affect their children’s education and well-being.

I believe that open, honest communication builds trust—and trust builds stronger schools. This means regularly sharing financial updates, explaining budget decisions in clear terms, and providing accessible opportunities for parent and community input.

If elected, I will advocate for:

Clear and timely communication through emails, public forums, and social media

Easy-to-understand budget breakdowns and district updates

Meaningful engagement opportunities, such as Q&A sessions, surveys, and advisory groups

By making transparency a priority, we can ensure decisions are made with the community—not behind closed doors.

Cell phone use in schools should be generally discouraged and limited, with policies tailored to the developmental stage of students.

In elementary schools, cell phones have no appropriate role and should be prohibited entirely. In middle schools, they should likewise be banned from use during school hours. In high schools, restrictions should apply during instructional time, but students may be permitted to use their phones during non-class periods such as lunch.

Effective implementation requires clearly defined and consistently enforced administrative policies, support and buy-in from classroom teachers, and straightforward procedures for confiscating devices and returning them to the correct students at the end of the day.

If the school district is faced with a financial deficit, it is important to pursue both internal and external strategies.

Internally, focus on the core mission: providing high-quality education. Maintaining student-to-teacher ratios, preserving program offerings, retaining qualified educators, and keeping schools open are all of paramount importance. Take this opportunity to re-examine spending to identify potential “low-hanging fruit” and operational efficiencies. After addressing these areas, any necessary reductions should target expenses furthest from the classroom.

Externally, many financial pressures are systemic, including escalating costs and unpredictable federal funding. School boards must continue to participate in state advocacy efforts to secure sufficient funding.

Fortunately, Lake Washington School District has implemented a careful, multi-year series of adjustments to align expenditures with revenues and remain fiscally sound.

The core function of public schools is to serve students by providing high-quality education and foundational life skills and experiences. Accordingly, available funds should be allocated in ways that reflect these goals, prioritizing investments closest to the classroom. In practice, this means maintaining funding for teachers, classroom staff, and essential programs such as art, music, and athletics.

It is also critical to ensure transparency and active engagement with the community when making funding decisions. Community members should be involved not as an afterthought, but as a foundational part of the process.

School districts can foster transparency and communication with the community in several ways. Providing clear, accessible information is an essential first step. Messages should avoid jargon and be easy to understand. Additionally, offering automated website translation services for the more than 100 languages spoken in LWSD is crucial.

Communication should be proactive rather than limited to times of crisis. Regular listening sessions, town halls, and focus groups help build trust and understanding. Equity should remain central to these efforts by scheduling meetings at accessible times and locations and offering supports such as childcare and interpretation services.

Ultimately, open communication strengthens family engagement and fosters a sense of shared investment in the district. When parents are involved and working together for the benefit of students, the entire school community thrives.

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