by Staff Writer
All statements and images were collected by King County Elections.
King County primary ballots will be arriving in your mailbox soon, and regardless of your address, you have the opportunity to vote in both Highline District 1 and District 4 races.
This is a critical, local election, so spend a few minutes getting to know your candidates before you decide, then find your nearest ballot drop box and vote by August 1st!
Come to the Candidate Forum Tomorrow, July 12th from 7pm-8:30pm, to hear four of the Highline hopefuls speak. Learn about what they plan to bring to the school board, students, families and Highline community for the next four years.
Bring your questions and meet these candidates in person at North Hill Community Club – 20827 3rd Ave S., Des Moines, WA
Event is sponsored by Sunrise Financial and Burien-News.
Click HERE for more details on the event.
The following four candidates (Loren Dugan, Mitchell Khayim, Carlos Ruiz, Melissa Petrini) plan to attend and speak, so we have included their King County voter pamphlet information and statements:
Loren Dugan – District 1
PO BOX 47174
SEATTLE, WA 98126
(206) 432-0514
BLorenDugan@gmail.com
Dugan4Schools.com
Education: 40 Years Experience in Home Construction
Occupation: Building Contractor, Baseball/Soccer Coach, Youth Activities Director, Church Volunteer
Statement:
“Highline students deserve better! Our district is ranked in the lowest 20% of Washington State, and I intend to help Highline prioritize academics and vocational programs so that we can truly prepare students for the future they choose. I have seen firsthand how the district is failing its students, so I will fight for sound policy and fair administration, not politics.
Drawing on my 35 years of experience as a small business owner, I know what local employment skills are needed, so I will bring a fresh perspective to the Board. As a parent and long-time youth volunteer, I also understand the importance of a quality curriculum and diverse activities to help kids thrive and grow.
I intend to nurture civically competent, functional, independent, safe and literate students, so I will focus on the following areas: First, return to academics and robust vocational options. Second, allow parents to participate fully in their children’s upbringing. Third, create achievable and measurable HPS goals.
It’s time for Highline Schools to support students, families and teachers so we can create the productive, cooperative community we all wish to experience. I ask for your vote.”
King County Elections does not correct punctuation, grammar, or fact check candidate and measure statements.
Mitchell Khayim – District 1
PO BOX 66502
BURIEN, WA 98166
(260) 910-3054
khayimml@gmail.com
Education: Exegetical Theology Hebrew University External Studies
Occupation: Real Estate Broker
Statement:
“I have served as a community organizer for more than 30 years. Working with many families with diverse backgrounds and unique structural complexities.
We recognize the emotional and psychological fragility of our youth. We understand the unique nuances that marginalized communities experience and acknowledge the efforts through enacted programs to address these challenges.
We must re-invest trust in the nuclear family, recognize their obligations to themselves and extol their virtues to society. We must ensure the benefits that the community receives from the nuclear family are not stripped from them.
We believe that whatever programs are instituted for the mental and emotional wellbeing of our students necessarily involves moving away from centralized government experiments to principals of governance that empower the family. We shall affect these changes in cooperation with other school board members. With uncommon insight and understanding of very specific directions for immediate policies and curriculum changes. Our future demands that we move away from enacting social ideas that are counter-intuitive at its core and sacrifice the minds of our children. To purely educating our students with the fundamentals that prepare them to compete in the marketplace, and further strengthen, support, and hold accountable the traditional family.”
King County Elections does not correct punctuation, grammar, or fact check candidate and measure statements.
Carlos M. Ruiz – District 4
411 SW 186TH ST
NORMANDY PARK, WA 98166
CarlosforHLDistrict4@gmail.com
Education: BA in Management, University of Phoenix
Occupation: Strategic and Operational Consulting
Statement:
“Carlos has lived in Normandy Park since moving there from New York City in 2011 with his wife of 14 years; his experience going through the NYC public school system is what drives his passion for access to a quality education for all.
Carlos has a technology and consulting background, having worked for large companies such as NBC Universal and Google. For the past 4 years he has served as the Board Chair for Seattle Credit Union helping the financial institution achieve its mission of serving communities traditionally ignored by large banks. Carlos is passionate about volunteering with community focused organizations of varying scope. He is currently a part of the Marvista Elementary PTSA, where his two daughters attend. He also volunteers his time as a board member with Southeast Effective Development (SEED), a non-profit focused on affordable housing, supporting the arts, and economic development. In the past he has served on the board of Pioneer Human Services and was appointed by Governor Inslee as a commissioner with the Commission on Hispanic Affairs, representing the counties of King and Pierce.
Carlos is excited at the opportunity to advocate for all the families served by the Highline School District.”
King County Elections does not correct punctuation, grammar, or fact check candidate and measure statements.
Melissa Petrini – District 4
17837 1ST AVE S #101
NORMANDY PARK, WA 98148
MPetriniDistrict4@gmail.com
www.Petrini4Schools.com
Education: BS, Business Management, Minor in Finance, BYU-Idaho 2003, AA Print Journalism, Ricks College 2000
Occupation: Dental Office Financial Manager, Home Educator, Autism/Down-Syndrome Advocate
Statement:
“Let’s face it! Our schools’ state educational report card was in steep decline before the pandemic, but with 2 out of 3 kids currently falling below grade-level in Reading and Math, we must do better! (OSPI.K12.wa.us)
As a mother of 6 children, I have taken great interest in their education personally, but I believe we have lost our focus that distracts their path and potential trajectory. As your School Board Director, I will strive to:
Bring back an Educational Focus of Excellency using tried and true methods and academics that build foundational knowledge, invigorates and challenges kids interests, and prepares them to be mentally resilient, emotionally independent, and academically balanced for their future. I will Build Stronger Student/Parent/Teacher Relationships by providing our children with full communicative support, reinforcement, and confidence in their parents, working alongside their teachers. I will bring a Balanced & Fair Approach while engaging with the community and respecting all viewpoints, and fight for policies that are thoughtful, fair, and sound.
Drawing on my experiences, education, and community outreach, I will do my best to represent parents and educators to build a strong foundational future that we can all get behind. I ask for your Vote!”
King County Elections does not correct punctuation, grammar, or fact check candidate and measure statements.
