Sarah Clark is running for Seattle School Board District 2, which covers NW Seattle including Magnolia, Ballard, North Beach, southern Greenwood, and Green Lake. Her opponent is Kathleen Smith. 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 Sarah Clark

• Currently serving as District 2 school board director (appointed April 2024, running to retain seat)
• Director of Policy at Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
• Master's in Education Policy from University of Washington
• Graduate of Seattle Public Schools (Madrona Elementary, Washington Middle School, Garfield High School, Class of 2003)
• Serves as City of Seattle FEPP Levy and King County Liaison

Key Positions

On Why She's Running:

• Believes in coalition building and comprehensive policymaking
• Wants to involve community more in the work
• District is in crisis deeper than initially understood
• Sees opportunity to fix problems with new generation of collaborative board members
• Wants to set things up for success 10 years from now

On Budget:

• Current budget reflects hope for legislative support
• Also preparing for scenario without enough funding
• Many fixed costs (labor contracts, levies) limit flexibility
• Community engagement is critical part of budget process
• Hard decisions may be necessary if funding doesn't come through

On Student Safety:

• Experienced assault as sophomore at Garfield (drives dedication to this issue)
• Current approach has failed; past models weren't successful either
• Working to convene group of SPS/SPD leaders, community, city council, mayor's office
• Student safety policies need to be flexible and evolve
• Committed to restoring district's relationship with SPD for 2025-2026
• Can't promise school resource officers will return in previous form

On Her Background:

• Was in Highly Capable Program (APP) and experienced segregation by academic programs
• Shocked by difference between advanced classes and regular classes
• Studied equity and legacy of colonialism at UW
• Education opened doors and she wants that access for others
• Has two nieces in SPS

On Her Approach:

• Seeks to collaborate (shaped by playing sports and being on teams)
• Open to hearing from community (ideas, venting, questions)
• Takes responsibility seriously as part of her faith and values
• Hopeful that local action can make impact despite federal challenges
• Ready to develop fresh ideas to meet every student's need

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
• Sarah's campaign: https://www.sarah4schoolboard.org/
• Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org | [email protected]

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.