Rainy Day Recess

A Forensic Analysis of SPS with Vivian Van Gelder, Part 1

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 [https://sesecwa.org]), 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 materials * Left to Chance: Student Outcomes in Seattle Public Schools [https://www.sesecwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Left-to-Chance-Report-FINAL.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com] (Vivian Van Gelder, 2024)  * Report Timeline [https://www.sesecwa.org/seattle-public-schools-report-timeline/] * Cresap Audit of Seattle Public Schools [https://search.worldcat.org/title/27897099] (1990) * A Nation at Risk [https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED226006] (1983, National Commission on Excellence in Education) 🎧 Listen and read the full transcript at rainydayrecess.org [https://rainydayrecess.org] . Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/c/rainydayrecess/membership] Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org [//hello@rainydayrecess.org]. Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

[RE-RELEASE] Kathleen Smith - D2 Seattle School Board Candidate

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 Smith * Data scientist at Microsoft * Parent of 5-year-old entering kindergarten in SPS * Comes from family of educators * Attended public schools, then Annie Wright School in Tacoma * Endorsed by Seattle Education Association Key Positions First Priority: * Add more ways for student school board directors to have power and contribute On School Board Role: * Board sets policy and holds district accountable through superintendent * Currently a disconnect between board and district * Need balance between micromanaging and providing clear guardrails * Important to build strong working relationships for alignment On Superintendent Search: * Should consider hiring interim superintendent first * Need someone who will truly listen to community * Balance listening with leading with confidence * Must understand Seattle's geographic and demographic diversity On District Structure: * Current balance is worst of both worlds * Schools have accountability (funding tied to enrollment) but no control * District should be more accountable for quality; schools have more control * Allow for local differentiation On When Goals Aren't Met: * Getting new superintendent is biggest lever for change * Board doesn't have power to force district to change * Power is in finding superintendent who will guide needed changes On Community Engagement: * Ultimate power is finding right superintendent * Board can help engage community to define expectations clearly * If district won't listen, must replace superintendent On Her Approach: * Not a policy wonk; brings data analysis and science skills * Wants clearer metrics for measuring equity * Known for seeking different perspectives and listening * Fast learner despite learning curve * Wants to fight for educator living wages Other Positions: * Strongly supports Individuals with Disabilities Education Act * Sees board role as accountable to voters Educational Leader She Admires: Her mother (teacher) Looking Forward to Working With: Liza Rankin Important Info * Ballots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4th * Also listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.org * Kathleen's campaign: https://www.smith-for-schools.com/ * Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org [http://rainydayrecess.org/] | hello@rainydayrecess.org Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/c/rainydayrecess/membership] Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org [//hello@rainydayrecess.org]. Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

[RE-RE-RELEASE] Sarah Clark - D2 Seattle School Board Candidate (incumbent)

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 Clark * Currently serving as District 2 school board director (appointed April 2024, running to retain seat) * Director of Policy at Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce * Master's in Education Policy from University of Washington * Graduate 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 Liaison Key Positions On Why She's Running: * Believes in coalition building and comprehensive policymaking * Wants to involve community more in the work * District is in crisis deeper than initially understood * Sees opportunity to fix problems with new generation of collaborative board members * Wants to set things up for success 10 years from now On Budget: * Current budget reflects hope for legislative support * Also preparing for scenario without enough funding * Many fixed costs (labor contracts, levies) limit flexibility * Community engagement is critical part of budget process * Hard decisions may be necessary if funding doesn't come through On Student Safety: * Experienced assault as sophomore at Garfield (drives dedication to this issue) * Current approach has failed; past models weren't successful either * Working to convene group of SPS/SPD leaders, community, city council, mayor's office * Student safety policies need to be flexible and evolve * Committed to restoring district's relationship with SPD for 2025-2026 * Can't promise school resource officers will return in previous form On Her Background: * Was in Highly Capable Program (APP) and experienced segregation by academic programs * Shocked by difference between advanced classes and regular classes * Studied equity and legacy of colonialism at UW * Education opened doors and she wants that access for others * Has two nieces in SPS On 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 values * Hopeful that local action can make impact despite federal challenges * Ready to develop fresh ideas to meet every student's need Important Info * Ballots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4th * Also listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.org * Sarah's campaign: https://www.sarah4schoolboard.org/ [https://www.sarah4schoolboard.org/] * Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org [http://rainydayrecess.org/] | hello@rainydayrecess.org Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/c/rainydayrecess/membership] Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org [//hello@rainydayrecess.org]. Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

[RE-RELEASE] Joe Mizrahi - D4 Seattle School Board Candidate (incumbent)

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 Mizrahi * Secretary 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 Schools * Co-chair of $2 billion pension fund * Serves on multiple boards * Has testified to state legislature annually since 2008 Key Positions First Priority: * Bring back committee structures for board members * Need deeper dives on issues On School Board Role: * Hold district accountable to voters' values and strategic vision * Approve budget with eye toward sustainability for next decade * Be connective tissue with general public On Superintendent Search: * Need someone who can hold system accountable * Strong communication skills and ability to draw in community * Brings strong vision for district On District Structure: * Worst choice is operating halfway between systems * Likes autonomy for different program choices * Needs centralization for support and standards * Every building should have its own feel On When Goals Aren't Met: * Hold superintendent accountable through evaluations * Set meeting agendas to make staff explain issues * Can reject plans and ask for better ones * Be careful not to over-rely on standardized tests On Community Engagement: * Use board position to bring issues to meetings and agenda * Example: forced district to address waitlists and enrollment * Job is to carry community concerns, not tell educators how to do their jobs Other Positions: * Strongly supports special education inclusion and dual language immersion * Sees board role as both trustee and representative Educational Leader He Admires: His mother (special education teacher who fought for inclusion) Most Aligned With: School Board President Gina Topp Important Info * Ballots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4th * Also listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.org * Joe's campaign: joe4schools.com [https://joe4schools.com/] * Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org [http://rainydayrecess.org/] | hello@rainydayrecess.org Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/c/rainydayrecess/membership] Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org [//hello@rainydayrecess.org]. Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

[RE-RELEASE] Laura Marie Rivera - D4 Seattle School Board Candidate

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 Rivera * Recently completed Doctor of Education (defended dissertation during campaign) * Two decades as educator, nonprofit professional * Founded 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 school * Member of four unions throughout career * Went to school in San Juan Unified School District, Sacramento, California Key Positions First Priority: * Restore second school board meeting every month * More public engagement and better communication with staff On School Board Role: * Directors need to be more flexible beyond policy-setting * Should look at individual students and how they're reaching goals * Board should facilitate responses when systems aren't working for students On Superintendent Search: * Need someone with experience managing large budget and deficit * Want actual education experience to understand classroom impact * Board needs to improve relationship with superintendent's office and public * Concerned current board hasn't set up next superintendent for success On District Structure: * Flexibility is key * Front-line educators and staff should make decisions (they see kids daily) * All kids don't need same things—they're individuals * Can't set one approach for 50,000 students at district policy level On When Goals Aren't Met: * Goals are modest; would like higher goals * Must step down to individual level to understand what each child needs * Could be classroom support, breakfast, undiagnosed learning disability * Each individual child needs to meet standards for best chance at success On Community Engagement: * SPS has talked about engagement and communication for entire decade * Reducing public engagement was a mistake * Need to be thoughtful about what to do with community input * Task force recommendations should not be ignored Other Positions: * Strongly supports SPS non-discrimination policy (though notes it doesn't always work in practice) * Sees board role as both trustee and representative * Believes budget is a moral document Educational 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 Info * Ballots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4th * Also listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.org * Laura Marie's campaign: https://lauramarie4seattleschools.com/ [http://votelauramarie.com/] * Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org [http://rainydayrecess.org/] | hello@rainydayrecess.org Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/c/rainydayrecess/membership] Contact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org [//hello@rainydayrecess.org]. Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.