Candidate Forum for State Schools Superintendent in Bellingham May 25

Western Today staff

May 16, 2016

Area residents will get the chance to hear from candidates seeking the state Superintendent of Public Instruction post during a forum to be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25 at Bellingham High School, 2020 Cornwall Ave.

The forum, free and open to the public, is hosted by Western Washington University’s Woodring College of Education, Bellingham Public Schools and the League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund.  

       Candidates who are expected to attend are:

  • Robin Fleming, administrator for health programs, state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction;
  • Ron Higgins, a teacher and retired engineer from West Richland;
  • Erin Jones, a Tacoma Public Schools administrator;
  • Chris Reykdal, state representative, 22nd Legislative District;
  • Larry Seaquist, a U.S. Navy veteran and former state representative;
  • David Spring, a parent and teacher from North Bend.

Current OSPI Superintendent Randy Dorn has announced he will not seek a third four-year term for the nonpartisan position. A primary election in August will narrow the field to two candidates, with the new superintendent selected by voters in November.

The forum will be moderated by the League of Women Voters, who will ask candidates questions regarding the role of the superintendent, as well as current education issues and initiatives.  Questions from the audience will be taken for the last 30 minutes of the forum.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the primary agency charged with overseeing K-12 public education in the state of Washington. Located in Olympia and currently led by Dorn, OSPI works with the state’s 295 school districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform on behalf of more than 1 million public school students.

Western Washington University’s Woodring College of Education is recognized throughout Washington, and beyond, as a leader in the development and implementation of programs that prepare outstanding early childhood through adult educators and educational administrators; human services and nursing professionals; and rehabilitation counselors. For more information please see Woodring College.

The League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund (a 501c3 organization) is dedicated to strengthening citizen knowledge of government in the state of Washington. The Education Fund sponsors and supports nonpartisan educational projects that help citizens better understand major public policy issues and become active and informed participants in their communities and in their government.

The League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County furthers the Education Fund work at the local level.  

Bellingham Public Schools serves approximately 11,000 students in grades Pre-K-12 and employs 1,300 staff.  The Bellingham Promise is the strategic plan of the district and schools, and calls us to make a collective commitment with our community.

For more information on the forum, please contact Courianne Willard, Special Events and Projects coordinator, WWU’s Woodring College of Education, (360) 650-2425 or email: Courianne.Willard@wwu.edu.