Both Seattle School Board Director Michael DeBell and Director Kay Smith-Blum have decided not to run for re-election this November, leaving two open seats. Six candidates have filed to run for the seats.

According to the Seattle Times, those running for Smith-Blum’s seat are:

• Stephan Blanford, an educational consultant who has worked for the White Center Early Learning Initiative, Seattle’s Alliance for Education, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of King County;
• LaCrese Green, who previously ran for School Board in 2005; and
• Olu Thomas, a parent and co-chair of an effort to make the district’s Horace Mann building a community center.

Running for DeBell’s seat are:

• economic development consultant Suzanne Dale Estey;
• Dean McColgan, director of development at the Museum of Flight and former Federal Way councilman; and
• Sue Peters, a parent activist and freelance writer.

Director Betty Patu is up for re-election and is running unopposed.

All candidates will go through a primary election in August, and then be put to voters again for a final election in November.

Read more about the candidates in the Seattle Times.

Three Seattle School Board Directors have their terms expiring this year, and each–Betty Patu, Kay Smith-Blum and Michael DeBell–has thoughts about seeking another term on the board.

Michael DeBell has made clear that he will not be seeking another term. After spending eight years, two terms, on the board, he thinks it is time to move on, although he hopes to continue on in public life.

Kay Smith-Blum had put her in name in for a post on the Washington State Board of Education, but withdrew it on Wednesday [Read more...]