LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Former Highline School Board director backs incumbents

[EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written and submitted by a verified Burien resident. It represents the opinion of the author, and does not necessarily reflect the views of South King Media or its staff.]

To the Editor,

As a former school board member in Highline Public Schools and a proud parent of two Highline students, I feel this upcoming election for the levy and school board director positions is pivotal in preserving the democratic ideals of this community. 

As election season approaches, I want to remind Highline voters that although our School Board directors represent five distinct geographic districts, every registered Highline voter has the right to vote for every board position, regardless of which district you live in. This process ensures that all voices across our community help shape the direction of our schools.

Because of my time on the board and my two decades as an employee, I understand firsthand the dedication, time, and thoughtful decision-making the role demands. Our schools are the heart of our community, and board directors must balance many perspectives while staying focused on what’s best for our students.

I am proud to support the re-election of Joe Van, Damarys Espinoza, Angelica Alvarez, and Blaine Holien. I have observed these directors consistently demonstrating strong involvement in our schools and deep care for the well-being of students and families. They listen to their constituents’ concerns, make themselves available at community events, and always approach their responsibilities with thoughtfulness and integrity. They are very involved in the schools they support and know the strengths and needs in our Highline schools. Additionally, all are parents of current, former, and future Highline students and they understand on a personal level what children need to thrive.

Most importantly, these candidates champion values that reflect our diverse Highline community—supporting policies and programs that ensure all students feel seen, safe, and prepared for the futures they choose. As a parent, I especially feel compelled by their support of Highline Board Policy 0010, which states “Highline Public Schools’ promise is to know every student by name, strength and need so that they graduate prepared for the future they choose.  To do this requires knowing our students and their families deeply, honoring their cultures and identities, ensuring materials and instruction are culturally relevant, and being willing to engage with students, families and the community.” This policy is something these board directors not only support in their votes, but also in how they serve their communities in their roles.

In contrast, the challengers in these races have not shown the same connection to Highline’s ideals. They have stated in recent public forums their support for or lack of awareness of school voucher programs, which undermine public education. Furthermore, they seem to view academics and social-emotional learning as separate priorities rather than complementary ones. In Highline, we know that academic achievement and emotional well-being go hand in hand, and our current directors understand and support this balance.

For the future of our students and the strength of our schools, I encourage all Highline voters to support Highline School Board Directors Joe Van, Damarys Espinoza, Angelica Alvarez, and Blaine Holien for re-election in the upcoming election. Their leadership and commitment make them the best choice for our community.

Sincerely,
Carrie Howell
Former Highline School Board Director, District 4

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