Everyone needs to care about our schools. Student success—or failure—doesn’t stay in the classroom. It spills into our workplaces, our streets, and the social fabric of our communities. We all live with the results. Well-educated students are vital to a thriving community!

I’ve been watching and reporting on the Highline District for over three years. While district leaders promise to support students and prepare them for the future, dismal academic outcomes, safety concerns, and poor life readiness tells a different story. Highline continues to spend more and achieve less—now budgeting $25,000 per student, but ranking in the bottom 23% of districts statewide. As the saying goes: doing the same thing and expecting different results is insanity.

Only 1 in 3 Highline students meet literacy standards—but this is about more than academic outcomes. Literacy is directly tied to dropout-risk, economic instability, and crime. Unsafe classrooms harm both students and staff, and low literacy impacts our entire community. Literacy is the most equitable thing we can provide.

As your board director, I’ll prioritize academics, safe learning environments, and meaningful support for teachers and families. I’ll demand transparency, responsible spending, and policies that put Highline students first. Highline can turn around—vote Katie Kresly.

As a life-long resident of the Highline community, I care deeply about our schools and their future.

Like many families here, my parents came to the U.S. from Vietnam in 1975 as refugees. I was the first of their children born in America. I attended Highline schools and graduated from Tyee High School—just like my wife and our three children.

Since being appointed, then elected, to the Highline School Board in 2015, I’ve focused on fiscal responsibility, equity, and continuous improvement. I bring a practical, solution-oriented approach grounded in my professional background in supply-chain management.

As School Board President, I lead with our Highline Promise: to know every student by name, strength, and need. I’ve worked to ensure all students—whether they are accelerated learners or just beginning to learn English—receive a high-quality education in a safe and supportive environment. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many people from different backgrounds and experiences. These partnerships have shown me the value of collaboration, respect, and listening—especially when making decisions that impact our students, families, and educators. We’ve made meaningful progress, but there’s more to do. I respectfully ask for your vote to continue this important work—together.