[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.]
Dear Highline Voters,
If you’re satisfied with the status quo, if you believe it’s acceptable that Highline Schools have fallen from average to the bottom quartile, then by all means – vote for the school board incumbents in this November 4th election.
But if you believe that every child, regardless of race, creed, color, or identity, deserves to read, write, and think to standard, then it’s time for change.
A mere 15 years ago, Highline’s performance was in the middle of the state. Now it’s in the bottom 25 percent. That decline did not happen by accident. It happened because district leadership lost its balance—elevating “belonging” while neglecting academics.
Belonging and academics must go hand in hand; one without the other cannot sustain student success. A culture of belonging without rigorous academics produces hollow outcomes, while academics without belonging fail to engage the whole child. Together, they are the bedrock of true equity and excellence.
Highline is not keeping its promise to “prepare students for the future they choose.”
The schools are equitable, but only because two-thirds of students are failing to meet proficiency levels in reading and writing. That’s not equity—that’s equal failure.
Literacy is the most equitable thing we can do for Highline students.
As one community member recently observed, “Highline is graduating students prepared to be Uber drivers instead of attorneys.”
This is not acceptable.
Illiteracy knows no skin color.
Every child, regardless of background, has the capacity to thrive and deserves the opportunity to grow to the best of their abilities.
This election cycle, there are three strong, Highline-immersed candidates running—Katie Kresly, Kenneth Kemp, and Sue-Ann Hohimer—because we know that Highline students deserve a far better academic experience than they are getting today. Parents and the community all want successful children, and they know that isn’t happening under the current board’s leadership.
A vote for change is a vote for our children’s future. School board elections matter more than ever.
Sincerely,
Katie Kresly
Candidate for Highline School Board, Position 3
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