Betty Patu
Betty Patu is the former District 7 representative on the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors in Washington, serving from 2009 to 2019.
On May 15, 2019, Patu announced she would resign effective June 26, 2019, two years before the end of her term.[1]
Biography
Patu's professional experience includes working as an intervention program manager with Seattle Public Schools. She received a master's degree in educational administration and a bachelor's degree in educational leadership from Antioch University in Seattle. [2]
Elections
2017
- See also: Seattle Public Schools elections (2017)
Three of the seven seats on the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors in Washington were up for at-large general election on November 7, 2017. A primary election for all three seats was held on August 1, 2017, because more than two candidates filed for each seat. Although the general election was held at large, the primary election was held by district.
Eden Mack was the District 4 winner, defeating fellow challenger Herbert Camet Jr. in the general. The two fended off Sean Champagne, Jennifer Crow, Megan Hyska, Lisa Melenyzer, and Darrell Toland in the primary. In District 5, Zachary DeWolf was victorious over Omar Vasquez. They both defeated Alec Cooper, Andre Helmstetter, and Candace Vaivadas in the primary. District 7 board member Betty Patu successfully defended her seat against challenger Chelsea Byers. They both defeated Tony Hemphill in the primary.[3]
Results
| Seattle Public Schools, District 7 General Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Betty Patu Incumbent |
68.35% | 131,351 |
| Chelsea Byers | 31.65% | 60,829 |
| Total Votes | 192,180 | |
| Source: King County, "November 7, 2017 General Election," accessed November 30, 2017 | ||
| Seattle Public Schools, District 7 Primary Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Betty Patu Incumbent |
68.41% | 12,226 |
| Chelsea Byers |
20.98% | 3,750 |
| Tony Hemphill | 10.03% | 1,792 |
| Write-in votes | 0.58% | 103 |
| Total Votes | 17,871 | |
| Source: King County, "2017 Results," accessed August 15, 2017 | ||
Funding
Patu reported $4,631.90 in contributions and $1,899.93 in expenditures to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission, leaving her campaign with $2,731.97 cash on hand as of October 16, 2017.[4]
Endorsements
Patu received an official endorsement from the King County Young Democrats, The Stranger, Seattle Weekly, and the Washington Education Association.[5][6][7][8]
2013
- See also: Seattle Public Schools elections (2013)
Patu sought re-election to the District 7 seat on the board of directors without opposition on November 5, 2013.
Election results
| Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors, General election, District 7, Four-year term, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Betty Patu Incumbent |
98.2% | 121,914 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in | 1.8% | 2,283 | |
| Total Votes | 124,197 | |||
| Source: King County Elections, "Certified Results," November 25, 2013 | ||||
Funding
Patu reported no contributions or expenditures to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission in this election.[9]
2009
Patu first won election to the board on November 3, 2009. She defeated fellow challenger Wilson Chin for the District 7 seat that was held by Cheryl Chow, who did not seek re-election.[10][2]
| Seattle Board of Directors, District 6, November 3, 2009 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Betty Patu |
68.1% | 113,106 | |
| Nonpartisan | Wilson Chin | 31.9% | 53,034 | |
| Total Votes | 166,140 | |||
| Source: King County Elections, "2009 General Election Results," accessed May 31, 2017 | ||||
Campaign themes
2017
Patu's campaign website stated the following:[11]
| “ | There are few who understand the challenges of today’s schools or the communities who fill them. My Leadership, Results, and Experience differentiate me from my opponents. I have dedicated my life to understanding the dynamics of providing quality education to diverse groups.
I Have Proven Leadership I retired after 32 years of successfully directing educational programs recognized to increase graduation rates, college-bound students and reduced gang violence, as highlighted in the New York Times. I was responsible for having the highest number of South Pacific Islander students graduate from public school in any one year. The notoriety of my program prompted Seattle Public Schools to expand my outreach to include ALL students in which I’ve continued this same success. My late husband and I inspired our 5 children, each accomplished with college degrees, to proudly carry their legacy of service to their communities. I believe, “A child is a life, a life produces change as we responsibly make a difference in these lives”. I Have Proven Results My persistence in partnering with parents, students, staff and community in the schools I have served as Seattle School Board Director of District 7 for 2 terms, have shown significant improvements through Higher test scores, Increased graduation rates, Lower truancy rates and Increased family involvement. I am truly proud! I Have Proven Experience My colleagues, Seattle School Board Directors, who represent the other Districts endorsed my Re-election to serve on the Board again. I treated all communities with respect, ensured the safety of all our children and advocated for equitable and quality education. There is a great deal of work left to accomplish together as I represent the voices of District 7. Join me, Betty Patu, in Re-Election for Seattle School Board Director, District 7[12] |
” |
| —Betty Patu (2017)[11] | ||
See also
- Seattle Public Schools, Washington
- Seattle Public Schools elections (2017)
- Seattle Public Schools elections (2013)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Seattle Times, "Seattle School Board: 5 seats open up, but Betty Patu’s actions ensure public can’t vote on her successor," May 17, 2019
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Seattle Times, "Profile of Seattle School Board District 7 candidates," October 20, 2009
- ↑ King County, "Who Has Filed," accessed May 22, 2017
- ↑ Washington Public Disclosure Commission, "Local Candidates," accessed October 16, 2017
- ↑ Elisabeth Moore, "Email exchange with Herbert Camet," June 8, 2017
- ↑ The Stranger, "The Stranger's Endorsements for the August 1, 2017, Primary Election," July 12, 2017
- ↑ Seattle Weekly, "Our Endorsements for Seattle’s August 1 Primary Election," July 12, 2017
- ↑ Washington Education Association, "2017 WEA-PAC Election Endorsements," accessed November 6, 2017
- ↑ Washington Public Disclosure Commission, "Local Candidates," accessed December 17, 2013
- ↑ King County Elections, "Election Results, November 3, 2009" accessed August 2, 2013
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Re-Elect Betty Patu, "Home," accessed June 19, 2017
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| Seattle Public Schools elections in 2017 | |
| King County, Washington | |
| Election date: | Primary: August 1, 2017 General: November 7, 2017 |
| Candidates: | District 4: Herbert Camet Jr. • Sean Champagne • Jennifer Crow • Megan Hyska • Eden Mack • Lisa Melenyzer • Darrell Toland District 5: Alec Cooper • Zachary DeWolf • Andre Helmstetter • Candace Vaivadas • Omar Vasquez |
| Important information: | What was at stake? |
