Katie Kresly (Highline Public Schools school board District 3, Washington, candidate 2025)

Katie Kresly

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Nonpartisan

Candidate, Highline Public Schools school board District 3

Elections and appointments

Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

Beloit College, 1989

Personal

Birthplace

Milwaukee, Wis.

Profession

Small business

Contact

Campaign website

Katie Kresly is running for election to the Highline Public Schools school board to represent District 3 in Washington. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source]

Kresly completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Katie Kresly provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 7, 2025:

• Birth place: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Bachelor's: Beloit College, 1989
• Gender: Female
• Profession: Small Business
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Academics First. Safety Always.
• Campaign website

Elections

General election

The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.

General election for Highline Public Schools school board District 3

Katie Kresly and Joe Van are running in the general election for Highline Public Schools school board District 3 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Katie Kresly (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Joe Van (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

Kresly received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.

• King County Republican Party
• Pastor's Picks

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Katie Kresly completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kresly's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a longtime Highline community member who has been watching the Highline Schools and the board for several years, and I have concluded that our children, families, and teachers deserve so much more!! My neighbors, plus hundreds of families, teachers and community members, have shared serious concerns about declining academic success of Highline students; they fear what it will mean for their community, in the long run. Teachers and parents are doing their best, but there seems to be a disconnect between the money spent per student ($25,000) and the outcomes where 50% of Highline students are at least three years behind! I want to refocus taxpayer dollars to provide a strong academic education for all future generations. Money must go to classrooms to support student academics and overwhelmed teachers. I believe in the resilience of children, especially when flanked by supportive schools and parents, working together. I believe we need to challenge our students, no matter who they are, and prepare them for a purposeful, fulfilled life!

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Prioritize Robust Academics and encourage students to do their best.
• Provide a safe learning environment for students, teachers and staff.
• Responsible and transparent district spending, especially focused on the classrooms and teacher supports.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Parental opt out declarations must be simple for parents and easy for teachers to fulfill. Regarding special needs and highly capable students, Highline needs to support a good relationship between teachers and parents as they co-create and execute appropriate plans for students. Students tend to develop a strong sense of self-worth when they are appropriately challenged.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember going to the Bicentennial parade as a child, celebrating the nation's birth, and feeling a strong sense of patriotism.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was a paper route at age 12. As a young business owner, I learned responsibilities that set me up to succeed in life and be a good employee and future employer. I learned how to manage finances, save for the future, work with customers, and survive in subzero Wisconsin weather!

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

As this is a non-partisan race, I represent all community members. I chose not to seek official endorsements.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

I find town halls and other fun community events to be excellent ways to engage and connect with families; two-way communications are critical.

Are there any areas of school curriculum you would like to see changed?

English Language Arts (ELA) needs attention at all grades levels from early elementary to secondary. We must employ effective tools that encourage and support every child to read to the best of their ability. This is the foundation for future success and life-long learning.

What role should artificial intelligence have in your school district?

AI should be learned and used as a tool, but not as a full replacement for spelling, grammar, and writing.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Starting my own business.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Other survey responses

Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Kresly completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

• VoteWA Profile

See also

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Candidate

Highline Public Schools school board District 3

Website