Voters will decide on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 who will represent Director of District 3 on the Highline School Board, as two candidates with distinct backgrounds and priorities face off in a closely watched race.
Ballots began arriving last week for the upcoming general election, and the deadline to submit your ballots is 8 p.m. on Nov. 4.
To help inform voters ahead of the election, South King Media invited each candidate to respond to a standardized set of 11 questions covering topics relevant to education, school politics, students and other issues in the Highline Public Schools district.
In the race for Highline School Board Director District 3, incumbent Joe Van, a Highline Public Schools alum with deep community ties and years of board experience, is seeking re-election. He is being challenged by Katie Kresly, who is campaigning on bringing a new perspective to the district’s leadership.
NOTE: Photos and links are from the King County Elections website. We do not correct punctuation, grammar, or fact check candidate statements.
Katie Kresly vs Joe Van*
*denotes incumbent
1. Why are you running for School Board? What drove you to throw your hat into the ring for this election, and what makes you qualified to be on the Board?
Kresly: I’m running for school board because every child in Highline deserves a strong education in a safe, supportive environment. Despite spending $25,000 per student each year, only one in three meet standards—this is not equitable or acceptable. I’ve spent the past four years closely following board decisions, reading policies, and listening to teachers and parents who feel unheard. I believe I can serve as a bridge between families, educators, and the district to restore focus on quality academics and accountability. What ultimately motivated me to run were parents describing young children losing their love of learning due to unsafe conditions—something no community should accept.
Van: As an alumni, parent and community advocate. I’m running for School Board because I believe every child deserves access to a safe, supportive, and challenging learning environment that prepares them for success beyond graduation. I’ve seen firsthand how decisions at the board level impact classrooms, families, and staff. What drives me is a genuine commitment to ensuring that policies and resources align with what students truly need. My professional experience in leadership, decision-making, and budget oversight gives me the skills to listen, weigh perspectives carefully, and make responsible choices for the district.
2. What do you consider to be the three biggest issues facing the school district?
Kresly: The three biggest issues facing the district are poor student achievement, unsafe learning environments, and lack of transparency. Only one in three students meet academic standards despite spending roughly $25,000 per student each year (25% higher than average schools in Washington State). Teachers and students deserve safe classrooms, clear accountability, and open communication about how resources are used to ensure every child can succeed.
Van: The three biggest issues I see facing the district are:
- Managing growth and facilities needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
- Addressing learning recovery, particularly in literacy and math.
- Ensuring equity across all schools so every student has the same opportunities regardless of zip code.
3. If elected, how would you prioritize levy-funded programs, and how do you plan to ensure those services equitably reach students across the entire district?
Kresly: If elected, I would prioritize levy-funded programs that directly strengthen classroom learning in reading, writing, and math. Resources should first go to the schools and teachers serving students who are the furthest behind—nearly 50% of Highline students are three or more years below grade level. By focusing on early literacy and core skills, we can give every child the foundation they need to succeed. True equity begins with ensuring all students can read, write, and learn at grade level.
Van: Levy-funded programs are vital, and I would prioritize those that directly impact student learning, safety, and access to essential services. I would also push for clear reporting on how levy dollars are spent and work to make sure all communities in the district see the benefits, not just a few.
4. Some parents are concerned that the district’s current reading and language arts program is not giving students the skills they need to become strong readers. If elected, what are the first steps that you would take to ensure all students are taught to read with an evidence-based approach?
Kresly: If elected, I would begin by reviewing why so many students are not learning to read at grade level and identify which reading programs are most effective. I would work with teachers and district staff to ensure consistent, evidence-based instruction across all schools. Finally, I would focus resources on helping older students regain the foundational reading and writing skills they’ve missed.
Van: Literacy is foundational, and we can’t afford gaps in reading. The first step is to review and adopt evidence-based curricula aligned with the science of reading. Just as important is investing in teacher training and ongoing support, so they have the tools and confidence to deliver effective instruction. Accountability through clear benchmarks will also be essential.
5. What measures would you support to increase transparency in board processes and decision-making, especially around appointments, policies, and district planning?
Kresly: I would ensure that all public board meetings—including retreats—are recorded and accessible to the community immediately, even if only by audio. Agendas should always be printed and available at every meeting so families and community members can easily follow and participate. The district must also be transparent about where it is falling short, especially in student learning, so those issues can be addressed and reversed. Policies and planning should be clearly communicated and consistently focused on strong academics and safe learning environments.
Van: Transparency builds trust. I would support livestreaming and archiving board meetings, providing clear explanations of board decisions, and making sure families have access to board materials in plain language. For appointments and planning, I’d advocate for community input processes that are open and consistent.
6. How will you uphold and measure the district’s commitment to personalized support amid growing enrollment and diverse student needs?
Kresly: I would engage families, staff, administrators, and experts to identify where Highline is succeeding and where it’s falling short in supporting students who need extra help—whether through IEPs, 504 plans, or other supports. Every student deserves the assistance they need to thrive. This can’t rest on the district alone—it requires partnership among families, teachers, and the broader community. Parents and educators both need strong support systems so they can work together to meet each student’s unique needs.
Van: As enrollment grows, personalized support must remain central. That means using data to identify student needs early and ensuring staff have the resources to intervene quickly. I would measure progress by tracking not just test scores, but also growth, engagement, and access to support programs.
7. How will you ensure equitable access to innovative schools, such as Raisbeck Aviation and Maritime High School, for students across the district?
Kresly: Raisbeck Aviation and Maritime High Schools already provide equitable access through random selection. Many families I’ve spoken with value these specialized learning options, and if community interest continues to grow, I would support exploring more innovative schools to meet that demand.
Van: Innovative schools are incredible opportunities, but access must be equitable. I would work to expand awareness, and review admissions processes to ensure no student is disadvantaged because of geography or background.
8. What strategies would you advocate for to enhance resources, instruction, and outcomes for multilingual learners across district schools?
Kresly: Multilingual learners bring valuable skills to our schools. I would support strong language programs that help students build English proficiency while honoring their home languages—or adding another language to English as their home language. Families play a key role in this success, so the district should provide resources that help parents support learning at home.
Van: Multilingual learners bring tremendous assets to our classrooms. I would advocate for stronger bilingual supports, targeted professional development for teachers, and more family engagement programs. The goal is not only English proficiency but also valuing and leveraging students’ home languages as strengths.
9. What are your priorities regarding facilities upgrades and new construction to support enrollment, safety, and learning needs across Highline neighborhoods?
Kresly: As a member of the Capital Facilities Advisory Committee, I value community involvement in identifying the most urgent facility needs. My priority is ensuring safe, flexible, and modern learning environments that adapt to changing technology and prepare students with the academic and vocational skills needed for future success.
Van: Facilities directly affect learning and safety. My priorities would be ensuring all buildings meet health and safety standards, updating older facilities to be modern learning environments, and planning strategically for growth in neighborhoods experiencing enrollment increases.
10. The district’s data shows that a significant percentage of students are not making at least one year of growth in reading each year. What do you think this data tells us and what specific metrics would do you think should be taken to measure progress and ensure accountability?
Kresly: The current “one year of growth” measure is confusing and does not clearly show whether students are meeting grade-level standards. Highline’s stagnant results tell us that the district’s current approach is not working—80% of students are at least one year behind, and half are three or more years behind. We need clear, transparent goals based on grade-level proficiency and yearly progress that everyone can understand. Parents and teachers must be partners in restoring a culture that values learning and challenges every child according to their needs and strengths. Because unless we make these changes, the failure will continue, and the students will come out unprepared for the future they choose.
Van: The reading data is concerning—it tells us that too many students aren’t getting the consistent, high-quality instruction they need. Progress must be measured by growth, not just proficiency, and every student should make at least a year’s progress annually. We should set clear literacy benchmarks, track progress at the school and district level, and be transparent with families about results.
11. Many districts are facing legal and logistical challenges over inclusion of trans students in sports. What criteria or principles would guide your decisions when crafting school board policy on this issue?
Kresly: All students should have the opportunity to participate in sports as part of a healthy school experience. My decisions would be guided by federal and state laws, with collaboration from the full board to ensure policies are fair, lawful, and supportive of every student.
Van: When it comes to trans students in sports, my guiding principle would be to balance fairness with inclusivity. Policies should ensure all students feel safe, respected, and supported, while also aligning with state law and athletic association guidelines. Decisions should be made thoughtfully, grounded in both evidence and compassion.
