Summary:

Seattle residents will have the opportunity to engage with candidates running for city, county, and school board offices at the 2025 Seattle Education Forum. The event aims to foster a meaningful dialogue between South Seattle students, families, educational advocates, and candidates seeking elected office in the upcoming general election. The forum is designed to elevate voices often excluded from education policy discussions, and participants will be able to ask questions, raise concerns, and share issues affecting their children and schools. Admission is free, and members of the public are encouraged to RSVP in advance to reserve a seat.

Seattle residents will have a rare opportunity to engage directly with candidates running for city, county and school board offices at the 2025 Seattle Education Forum, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Rainier Beach High School, 8815 Seward Park Ave. S.

The public forum aims to foster a meaningful dialogue between South Seattle students, families, educational advocates and candidates seeking elected office in the upcoming general election. Attendees will include those running for Seattle Mayor, King County Executive, Seattle City Council, and Seattle School Board.

Designed to elevate voices often excluded from education policy discussions, the event encourages community-led conversation over a shared meal in an open and accessible environment. Participants will be able to ask questions, raise concerns, and share issues affecting their children and schools.

Confirmed candidates include:

• Seattle Mayor: Katie Wilson, Bruce Harrell

• King County Executive: Claudia Balducci, campaign representative for Girmay Zahilay

• City Council, District 2: Adonis Ducksworth, Eddie Lin

• City Council, Position 8: Alexis Mercedes Rinck

• City Council, Position 9: Dionne Foster, Sara Nelson

• Seattle School Board, District 2: Kathleen Smith

• School Board, District 4: Laura Marie Rivera

• School Board, District 5: Vivian Song, Janis White

• School Board, District 7: Carol Rava, Jen LaVallee

Organizers say the forum is designed to remove barriers to civic participation, such as cost, formality and accessibility, while centering the lived experiences of those most impacted by education and civic policy.

The event is organized by the Alliance for Education, Black Education Strategy Roundtable, League of Education Voters, and Southeast Seattle Education Coalition. Co-hosts include Ace Academy, Denise Louie Education Center, East African Community Services, El Centro de la Raza, Kandelia, Latino Community Fund of Washington State, Seattle Council PTSA, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, and Washington Youth Alliance.

The Alliance for Education, a nonprofit that has worked in partnership with Seattle Public Schools for 30 years, focuses on educational justice and racial equity. Its mission is to help all students in Seattle Public Schools thrive by addressing systemic inequities through collaborative partnerships.

Admission is free, and members of the public are encouraged to RSVP in advance to reserve a seat.