As an educational leader and parent of a child who attended and graduated from Highline schools, I understand the challenges the district faces and have experienced their impact. I am committed to helping our district to build upon what is working and to questioning and challenging our practices to ensure access, opportunity, and educational excellence for All.

Our public education system has the tremendous responsibility of equipping our community’s children to reach their fullest potential. I know from personal experience the strengths and needs of our families navigating the education system. Their voices must be elevated and incorporated in the decision-making process.

It is critical to support educators and staff, to maintain leadership that is highly qualified, and to build a system that is culturally responsive. I am dedicated to schools that hold high expectations for every student.

As a current school board member, it is my responsibility to set policy that safeguards the interests of every student, to hold the system accountable for effective execution and transparency, and to be a good steward of the taxpayers’ dollars. Schools that truly serve our students benefit not only the families who entrust us with their children, but the whole community.

The Highline School District is succeeding in many ways, but in some aspects we are coming up short and negatively affecting our children. The fact is, we need to do better with our budget. Too few dollars are currently allocated towards a fundamental aspect of child safety- transportation to and from school. Our drivers are stressed out and spread too thin.

While academic achievement and developing good citizens is our top priority, we need to re-evaluate the current student conduct policy of no suspensions. Stopping bullying needs to be a top priority along with counseling the disruptive students.

As a former school bus driver & substitute teacher, Burrage is familiar with the current challenges faced by district bus drivers. Too few are applying, too many positions remain open. With union negotiated driver wages being low across multiple school districts, this is a problem with no simple solution. It’s a challenge that will require personal dedication to resolve.

Jeanette Burrage has the budget and management experience to overcome this challenge. Her experience in leadership, such as on the Des Moines City Council working on a municipal budget, makes her a great choice to restore balance within the District. Please vote Burrage.