[EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written and submitted by a verified resident. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of South King Media, nor its staff. This Letter writer has contributed money to the Highline School Board candidates mentioned in his letter.]
The October 10th Highline School Board Candidate Forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters (a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization), was well attended by the community but not so much by candidates.
Stephanie Tidholm, her opponent Michael T. Lewis, and Carlos Ruiz were the only candidates to show. Ruiz’s opponent chose not to attend due to a dispute with the LWV over recording the event. She did send a representative with a statement.
My view is that school board candidates should have a demonstrated commitment to the school community as well as have children enrolled in District schools. Tidholm has both.
What sets Tidholm and Lewis apart is that she is a social service worker and parent involved in the District. Tidholm serves on the District’s Family Action Committee, the White Center Heights Dual Language Task Force, and Supporting Partnerships in Education and Beyond. That’s a lot of involvement.
Lewis does bring a perspective as an educator for 3 decades but currently has no involvement with the District other than being a resident, and he has no children in the schools.
Tidholm also works for Burien’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program which diverts people who have committed certain misdemeanors into community-based treatment and support services—including housing, health care, job training, treatment, and mental health support—instead of processing them through the traditional criminal justice system.
Having 2 children in District schools and Tidholm’s commitment to the community should resonate with parents, teachers, and voters alike.
This November 7th, please vote for Stephanie Tidholm for Highline School District Director position #1. Remember, it doesn’t matter which board district you live in you can vote for Stephanie Tidholm.
– Stephen Lamphear
Shorewood, Burien
Former Burien City Councilmember 1998-2005
EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have an opinion you’d like to share with our highly engaged local Readers? If so, please email your Letter to the Editor to scott@southkingmedia.com and, pending review and verification that you’re a real human being, we may publish it. Letter writers must provide an address and phone number (NOT for publication but for verification purposes). Also, because we’re getting a lot of Letters during the 2023 election season, we will also attempt to include what writers have contributed to candidates via the PDC website. Read our updated Letter to the Editor policy here.
