Kathleen Smith (Washington)

Kathleen Smith

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors District 2

Elections and appointments

Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

High school

Annie Wright Schools

Bachelor's

Norwich University, 2006

Ph.D

University of Colorado, Boulder, 2017

Personal

Birthplace

Eatonville, Wash.

Profession

Researcher

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Instagram

Kathleen Smith is running in a special election to the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors to represent District 2 in Washington. She is on the ballot in the special general election on November 4, 2025. She advanced from the special primary on August 5, 2025.

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

Biography

Kathleen Smith was born in Eatonville, Washington. She graduated from the Annie Wright Schools. She earned a bachelor's degree from Norwich University in 2006 and a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, Boulder, in 2017. Her career experience includes working as a researcher.

Elections

2025

See also: Seattle Public Schools, Washington, elections (2025)

General election

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

Special general election for Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors District 2

Incumbent Sarah Clark and Kathleen Smith are running in the special general election for Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors District 2 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Sarah Clark (Nonpartisan)
		Kathleen Smith (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Special nonpartisan primary for Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors District 2

Kathleen Smith and incumbent Sarah Clark defeated Eric Feeny in the special primary for Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors District 2 on August 5, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kathleen Smith (Nonpartisan)	47.9	15,080
✔		Sarah Clark (Nonpartisan)	41.9	13,186
	Submit photo	Eric Feeny (Nonpartisan)	9.9	3,100
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	105

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 31,471
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

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

• Alliance for Gun Responsibility
• Seattle Education Association
• The Stranger
• Washington Education Association PAC

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Kathleen Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Smith'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 Kathleen Smith, a parent of two young children in Seattle Public Schools and a data scientist at Microsoft. Coming from a family of educators, I know the challenges and opportunities in our classrooms. I’m running for Seattle School Board because I want my kids, and every child in our city, to have access to thriving public schools.

My professional background in data science gives me the skills to bring clarity, transparency, and accountability to district decision-making. Last year’s closure plan showed what happens when decisions are made without clear data or authentic community engagement. We can and must do better. Families deserve decisions that start with the problem to be solved, not a pre-determined solution. In my current role, I evaluate complex systems and translate that analysis into clear, actionable insights. That kind of disciplined, problem-focused approach is exactly what our district needs.

Public education is a cornerstone of a strong and just society. It prepares the next generation not only with knowledge, but with the sense of belonging and opportunity that allows communities to thrive. My teaching experience grounds me in the realities of education, and my role as a parent keeps me focused on what matters most: safe, supportive schools where every student can succeed.

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?

• Fix the system when it comes to making district decisions: Seattle deserves a school district that makes decisions based on data and authentic community engagement, not rushed plans or pre‑determined outcomes. The closure plan, confusing enrollment policies, and other recent missteps show what happens when the process breaks down. As a data scientist, I know how to cut through complexity, ask hard and clarifying questions, and focus on solving the real problem. Choices must be grounded not just in data and equity, but in what actually serves our students and communities.
• Fund our classrooms: Seattle’s schools face a budget crisis, but austerity is not the answer. My priority is to make the budget transparent, ensure resources are used responsibly, and advocate for progressive revenue so schools are fully funded without overburdening working families. Responsible budgeting means putting classroom learning first, supporting educators with fair pay, adequate resources, and the stability they need to help every student succeed.
• Listen to the community: Trust between Seattle Public Schools and its communities has been badly damaged. Families, educators, and students have been asked for input again and again, but need to fight for their voices to be heard. Too often, major changes are announced first, with engagement sought only afterward as a response to a crisis. I will work to rebuild that trust by listening with intention and acting on what I hear. Community engagement must be more than a checkbox. It should shape outcomes and ensure schools are accountable to the communities they serve.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about urban planning that makes schools accessible through safe walkable infrastructure and reliable public transit. Every child should be able to walk, bike, or ride safely to school. Safer streets and stronger transit are equity issues, and many Seattle neighborhoods are long overdue for these investments.

I am also committed to the principle that government exists to serve the public good. Public institutions should not be driven by profit, but by their responsibility to their constituents. Public institutions have the potential to strengthen communities and expand opportunity. Public education is one of the clearest examples of this: it must be funded, protected, and improved as a public good that benefits us all.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official should lead with humility, integrity, and transparency. Elected officials should model the kind of thoughtful, collaborative, and principled leadership we want our students to learn from.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities of a school board director are oversight, representation, and vision.

That means supervising the superintendent, approving the budget, and holding the district accountable to its commitments.

It also means representing the community. The board is responsible for listening deeply, communicating clearly, and ensuring that decisions reflect shared values.

Finally, setting a vision isn’t just about policy; it’s about leadership. It requires building strong working relationships with district staff and creating the conditions where students, educators, and families can thrive.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I keep coming back to the Scholomance series by Naomi Novik. It’s a fantasy trilogy, but it wrestles with very real questions: how do we live in systems that are unfair, and what does it mean to protect your own children when that safety comes at someone else’s expense?

The series explores how privilege can sit atop exploitation, and how even well-meaning people can be complicit in harm. As a parent and a public school advocate, I think about this constantly - how to build systems that don’t force families into impossible choices, and how to lead with both love and justice.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I’ve struggled with the pressure to be everything at once — a present parent, a committed professional, a community advocate, and someone who still makes space for creativity and joy. I’m fortunate to have support, but the balancing act is real, and I’ve had to learn how to let go of perfection and lean into repair, especially in my family.

I also feel imposter syndrome, especially when stepping into public leadership. But what I’ve really learned is the value of my own perspective. I have strengths that might seem ordinary to me — curiosity, clarity, empathy, a knack for connecting dots — but they’re not universal. I’ve stopped downplaying what I bring to the table, because when you combine lived experience, analytical thinking, and a commitment to equity, it leads to work that’s both effective and deeply grounded.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

The main job of a school board member is to make sure the district is serving students well. That means supervising the superintendent, approving the budget, and holding the district accountable.

Board members also represent the community. They listen, communicate clearly, and help set a vision for public education.

This work requires systems thinking, not micromanaging classrooms. Board members should focus on the big picture: building the conditions where students, educators, and families can thrive.

Who are your constituents?

My constituents include students, families, educators, and staff. I also represent the broader community, because strong schools benefit all of us. That means listening to those most impacted by district decisions, especially communities who have historically been underserved or excluded.

As a board member, I would represent not just individual voices, but the shared values of a public education system: equity, transparency, and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. My job is to make sure those values guide every decision we make.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

My approach is grounded in a simple mantra: make easy things easy, and hard things possible. That means ensuring every student can access a strong basic education without barriers while also making it possible to pursue additional or alternate programs. Students and their families deserve access to option schools, advanced coursework, career pathways, and specialized supports.

I would ask for data to identify gaps in access, outcomes, and opportunity and work with district staff to address them with care and accountability. I’d prioritize listening to diverse voices, including student-led groups like the Seattle Student Union, NAACP Youth Council, WA Bus, Associated Student Body, and our student board members.

Supporting educators is also essential. I’d advocate for policies and budgets that reflect their needs and expertise, and ensure they have the resources and respect required to serve students well.

Meeting diverse needs isn’t about one-size-fits-all solutions. It’s about building systems that respond to real people, and making sure every student has the chance to thrive.

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

I believe strong relationships start with listening and showing up, not just during moments of crisis, but consistently and with humility. As a board member, I would seek input from student-led groups like the Seattle Student Union, NAACP Youth Council, WA Bus, Associated Student Body, and our student board members.

I’d also invite collaboration with community organizations that reflect the diversity of our district. While I won’t be able to meet with every group personally, I’ll work to make board processes more transparent and accessible, so people can see how their voices shape decisions.

My goal is to build trust over time through honest communication, shared values, and a commitment to public education as a community responsibility.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

Safety starts with belonging. Students need to feel seen, supported, and connected. That includes social, emotional, and physical safety. As a data scientist and a parent, I know we need systems that prevent harm, not just react to it. That includes using data to identify risks early. We must invest in mental health care, restorative practices, and community-led programs like Community Passageways, Choose 180, and Build 206.

I believe in prevention, not punishment. The data shows police in schools do not improve safety. They increase criminalization, especially for Black, brown, disabled, and neurodivergent students. I oppose bringing armed officers back into schools. I will push for proven alternatives that build trust.

Transparency matters. Families and educators deserve clear information about safety decisions. Students deserve to see their advocacy lead to real change. I will work with student leaders including Seattle Student Union, NAACP Youth Council, WA Bus, and our student board members to make sure their voices shape policy.

Data safety is also critical. If schools collect sensitive information like immigration status, gender identity, and sexual health, we must ensure it’s not used to harm students. I will fight for strong protections to keep student data safe from anti-immigration and anti-LGBTQ agendas.

Safety is not just about stopping violence. It is about building schools where every student can show up fully, without fear of being surveilled, criminalized, or erased.

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

Mental health is essential to learning and safety. Students and staff need access to care that is timely, consistent, and easy to navigate. That means hiring more counselors, nurses, and mental health professionals and making sure they are supported.

I also want to work with the city to follow through on its promises. Several years ago, students won city funding for mental health support. Half the funds were never released and that money was never spent. I will push the city to honor its commitment and invest in the supports students fought for.

Supporting educators also means making Seattle livable. We need a city where teachers and school staff can afford to live without constant stress. I will advocate for stronger partnerships between the district and the city to address housing, transit, and affordability. Mental health is shaped by the conditions people live in.

Mental health is not a side issue. It is central to learning, safety, and community. I will advocate for policies that reflect that

Describe your ideal learning environment for students.

My ideal learning environment is one where every student feels safe, seen, and supported, not just academically, but socially and emotionally. That means classrooms where students can engage deeply with challenging material, build strong relationships with educators, and see their identities reflected in the curriculum.

It also means making easy things easy and hard things possible. Accessing basic education should be straightforward and barrier-free. At the same time, students should have real opportunities to pursue advanced coursework, career pathways, language immersion, or specialized supports. Access to education shouldn't depend on their background or zip code.

This kind of environment requires well-supported educators, inclusive policies, and data-informed systems that identify and close gaps. It also requires listening to students themselves, through groups like the Seattle Student Union, NAACP Youth Council, WA Bus, and our student board members.

When we build schools that respond to the full spectrum of student needs, we build a public education system where every child has the chance to thrive.

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

I believe strong relationships with parents start with trust, transparency, and respect for their time. As a working parent myself, I understand the importance of making engagement accessible. That means offering multiple modes of communication - from in-person meetings and school events to digital platforms and surveys - so families can participate in ways that work for them.

I’ll prioritize listening to a wide range of parent voices, especially those who haven’t always felt heard by the district. But listening isn’t enough on its own. I’m committed to making sure parent input leads to action. My goal is to make board processes clearer, more responsive, and more grounded in the lived experiences of the families we serve.

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

We need a better process for choosing curriculum. Board members are not career educators, so we should defer to experts. But the current system isn’t working. Frequent changes make it hard for teachers to plan and teach effectively.

At the same time, some of our current materials aren’t serving students well. Our math curriculum needs improvement. Our early literacy curriculum doesn’t follow state guidance on the Science of Reading. We need to choose strong, research-backed materials, then stick with them and support educators as they learn to use them.

I also support expanding ethnic studies and dual language programs. These programs reflect student identities, build confidence, and improve access to education. They should be protected and expanded, not cut.

What role should artificial intelligence have in your school district?

At the heart of education is human connection - the relationships between students, teachers, families, and communities. No technology can or should replace that.

Artificial intelligence is already shaping the world our students are growing up in, and schools have a responsibility to prepare them to navigate it thoughtfully. That means giving both students and educators training on the good and bad uses of AI. AI can extend human capability, but it can also spread misinformation, reinforce bias, compromise privacy, and erode the habits of thought that help our brains grow.

Our focus should be on building digital literacy, critical thinking, and ethical awareness so that students graduate ready to use these tools responsibly and to question them when needed. In short, AI should serve as a subject of learning and discernment, while human relationships remain the foundation of our schools.

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 Smith completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

• VoteWA Profile
• The Seattle Times
• Alliance for Education

See also

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Candidate

Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors District 2

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