2025 Seattle Education Forum

Rainier Beach High School

8815 Seward Park Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118 (Google Maps)
5:30-8 p.m.

The Seattle Education Forum is a free, community-led gathering designed to bring families, students, and neighbors into authentic conversation face to face with candidates for Seattle School Board and Seattle City Council and King County offices.

The forum centers the voices of those most impacted by education policy but too often left out of decision-making. Over a shared meal in a welcoming and accessible space, community members will have the chance to ask their own questions, raise issues that matter most to their (children’s) futures, and engage directly with candidates. More than a political event, this forum is a space to uplift underrepresented voices, foster civic dialogue, and strengthen connections between community and leadership.

Confirmed Candidates

• Seattle Mayor: Katie Wilson, Bruce Harrell
• King County Executive: Claudia Balducci, campaign representative of Girmay Zahilay
• City Council District 2: Adonis Ducksworth, Eddie Lin
• City Council Position 8: Alexis Mercedes Rinck
• City Council Position 9: Dionne Foster, Sara Nelson
• School Board District 2: Kathleen Smith
• School Board District 4: Laura Marie Rivera
• School Board District 5: Vivian Song, Janis White
• School Board District 7: Carol Rava, Jen LaVallee

Schedule

• 5:30-6 p.m. – Doors open, dinner is served
• 6 p.m. – Welcome from Rainier Beach students and ‘Two Sentence Take’ introductions of candidates
• 6:15-8 p.m. – Roundtable Discussions – pairs of two candidates rotate every 8-10 minutes to connect with small groups of attendees

Food Menu

Salima Specialties will cater a shared meal for candidates and attendees. It will be served buffet style and all items are halal. The menu is Pan-Asian street food comprised of samosas, fried rice, noodles and more! Drinks will also be available.

Family Friendly

This is a family-friendly and intergenerational event co-led with Rainier Beach students. Parents and caretakers should feel welcome to bring their children. There will be a supervised space with coloring pages and activities or children are also able to stay with their guardian throughout the event.