By now many people may have gotten their absentee ballots. Yes, we have a primary on August 21st, and a key race to vote on is for Seattle School Board director.

While parents are pretty positive about the schools that their children go to, they are negative about the Seattle School Board. The board is seen as fractious and too involved in the day-to-day operations of the school district which is the responsibility of the superintendent. We have a new wonderful superintendent and we now need to add new school board directors to restore confidence in the schools.

Among the candidates for District 6 (West Seattle), one candidate stands above the others in his experience and ability to build a well functioning board. That is Steve Sundquist. Steve has the right experience to be an outstanding school board director. Steve has managed a large complex organization with multimillion-dollar budgets and large staffs. This type of organization is ultimately what the Seattle School Board is responsible for.

Steve's a board member of three local community organizations: Fauntleroy Church, Climate Solutions and Social Venture Partners. Steve knows what it takes to be an effective board member. Steve also has been involved in the Seattle Public Schools that his daughters attend. He was instrumental in bringing the International Baccalaureate program to Chief Sealth High School. Steve has a strong commitment to ensuring that all students have a quality education in the Seattle Public Schools and is willing to commit his time to this goal.

Lucy Gaskill-Gaddis

Gatewood