RAMIREZ AT PATHFINDER FORUM. West Seattle candidate for Seattle School Board position, Maria Ramirez, speaks to the crowd of community members last week outside of Pathfinder School. Waiting their turn to speak are candidates (left to right) Steve Sundquist, Harium Martin-Morris, Peter Maier, Sally Soriano, Lisa Stuebing and Dan Dempsey. Photo by Leslie Harris.
Candidates for West Seattle's Seattle School Board position told the community last week what they would do to restore confidence in the public school system and unite an often-divided board.
Candidates from each of the four open School Board positions came to meet community members one-on-one before a moderated forum held at Pathfinder K-8 Alternative School.
Four of five West Seattle candidates showed up: Maria Ramirez, Edwin Fruit, Dan Dempsey and Steve Sundquist. The fifth registered candidate, Zeinab Ahmed, has withdrawn from the race.
These candidates will face off in the Aug. 21 primary, in which only voters from District 6 will cast ballots. The top two from the primary will advance to a citywide race in the November general election.
West Seattle incumbent Irene Stewart, current board member elected in 2003, announced earlier this year that she would not seek re-election.
Each candidate was given three minutes to present their views before taking questions from the audience. More than 50 people came and spread out blankets on Pathfinder's front lawn to listen.
A resident of West Seattle for 12 years, Ramirez said her degree in economics makes her qualified to handle and understand the complex issues of public finance management. Ramirez's two children have attended several local schools, including Denny and Madison middle schools. She also co-directs the Campa
