School Board Gets Attention

Last week Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Raj Manhas announced a plan to close ten schools and end busing to others in order to save money and cut into the district’s increasing deficit—they project losses of $20 million in 2006-7.

The controversial plan has angered parents and teachers and has received front-page attention from the local media--the camera loves kids holding handmade signs. However, it still needs approval from the school board, and this in an election year.

The seven board members are elected to a four-year term. There are three positions up for a vote this year, and two of the incumbents, District Four’s Dick Lilly and District Seven’s Jan Kumasaka, have already announced that they will not seek re-election. This leaves District Five’s Mary Bass as the only incumbent running.

School Board elections are the type of races that often get ignored in the fall. However this year could be different, with only two of the city council contest expected to be competitive, two open seats on the board, and a great deal of attention being paid to the school closures these races may receive some of the spotlight.