Jen LaVallee is running for Seattle School Board District 7, which covers South Seattle (Rainier Beach to Mount Baker, including parts of the International District and First Hill). Her opponent is Carol Rava. This interview is part of our 2025 Seattle School Board Candidate series. Every Seattle voter will vote on four school board races in the general election: Districts 2, 4, 5, and 7.

About Jen LaVallee

• Product designer focusing on research, strategy, and design
• Parent of two elementary school students in Seattle Public Schools
• Has testified at school board meetings and state legislature
• Has served on a board

Key Positions

First Priority:

• Restore board committees with thoughtful construction to ensure recommendations are actionable

On Budget Crisis:

• Solving deficits should not come from large cuts to schools
• Supports independent audits and ensuring budget timelines allow for deep review of impacts
• Board members need to push for stability and growth, not just school-based cuts

On Superintendent Search:

• Need effective management to address central office dysfunction
• Leader who can communicate effectively, test ideas, and look deeply at unintended impacts
• Someone with insight from other districts who can build a better functioning SPS

On District Structure:

• Need a different balance between centralized control and school-based decision making
• Schools have unique programs that make parents excited
• Must ensure all kids meet baselines for success and education quality
• Partnership between central office and school sites needs improvement

On When Goals Aren't Met:

• First assess if the goal was attainable
• Evaluate what steps were taken and be critical about whether they were right steps
• Hold superintendent accountable
• Set up for future success based on learning

On Community Engagement:

• Community expects people to show up and engage
• Too many community values are not part of Student Outcomes Focused Governance framework
• Would be responsive, as she has been in her community for years

Other Positions:

• Strongly supports the Ensuring Educational and Racial Equity policy
• Wants better enrollment planning to reduce October shuffles
• Sees board role as leaning toward representative/accountable to voters, balanced with making hard decisions for long-term benefit

Educational Leader She Admires: Aaron Pribble, her 12th grade teacher who suggested she get tested for dyslexia

Excited to Work With: Director Joe Mizrahi

Important Info

• Ballots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4th
• Also listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.org
• Jen's campaign: votelavallee.com
• Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org | [email protected]

Support the show

Contact us at [email protected].
Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.