As we close out School Board Recognition Month, I want to take a moment to recognize the Bellevue School Board for their service to our community. Legislative advocacy, policy development and setting a strategic vision for the district are just some of the ways our school board directors have tremendous impact on the thriving of our students, families, staff, and community. I am so grateful for the Bellevue School Board.
Advocacy on Behalf of the Bellevue School District
This past weekend, President Carolyn Watson, Vice President Monica Webster, and Director Phil Bloch joined me in Olympia to advocate for ample school funding for the Bellevue School District. Advocating for resources for our students is one of the school board’s key responsibilities. Specifically, our board directors went to Olympia to advocate for the passing of SB 5956 and HB 2215 to apply regionalization (cost-of-living factor) to our local levy. If passed, this would increase our levy collection by almost $10 million annually (this capacity is already approved by our voters). It is almost the same amount as our projected annual deficit over the next three years. Meanwhile, Director Jane Aras, our board’s legislative representative who has also been instrumental in ongoing advocacy for both regionalization bills, attended the National School Board Association Advocacy Institute in Washington DC to represent Bellevue in the advocacy for education priorities at the federal level.
Gratitude for Past Presidents Dr. Christine Chew and Sima Sarrafan
In December, the Bellevue School District honored Dr. Christine Chew and Sima Sarrafan, both of whom served as school board president, for their years of service and leadership in the Bellevue School District.
Dr. Christine Chew served on the school board for 13 years and accomplished so much for our district. Director Chew elevated equity in Bellevue, working with staff and community to develop our district’s first Equity and Accountability policy. Director Chew played a key role in updating many policies that were either outdated, misaligned, or altogether missing. Director Chew was also a champion of elevating student voice from the classroom to the board room.
In the five and a half years of serving on the school board, Sima Sarrafan also accomplished so much. In 2018, Director Sarrafan helped kick off a strategic plan focused on student wellbeing, academic excellence, and the empowerment of students. As board president, she was instrumental in stabilizing our district as we came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and she spearheaded a national superintendent search process. Director Sarrafan also championed our district’s new sustainability policy, the first of its kind in the state.
Together, Director Chew and Director Sarrafan, along with the rest of the board were recognized for their excellence as a 2023 WSSDA Board of Distinction.
Make a Difference by Joining the School Board
If you want to join this amazing team and make a difference for our kids and community, applications for the open school board seat (Director District 3, recently vacated by Joyce Shui) are due Friday, February 2. We encourage any and all community members to apply to help us to continue to deliver on the educational excellence for which Bellevue is renowned.
Dr. Aramaki