Linda Thompson-Black Announces Her Candidacy For Seattle School Board, District 7

Linda Thompson-Black recently announced her candidacy for Seattle School Board. Thompson-Black is running for the open seat in District 7 currently held by Jan Kumasaka. Linda has been a committed advocate of the Seattle Public Schools both personally and professionally over the past two decades. “I have personally experienced school success in Seattle Public Schools as a student and parent. I know we can inspire community confidence with a thoughtful plan that produces results. Families and children will choose Seattle Public Schools because it meets their needs. Working together, with the school district, parents, and other partners, I am confident we can achieve a common vision and I am excited to tackle these challenges,” said Thompson-Black. Currently, Linda is the State Office Development Specialist with the National Office of Communities in Schools, the nations leading community based organization “helping kids stay in school and prepare for life”. By bringing caring adults into the schools to address children’s unmet needs, CIS provides the link between educators and the community. The result: Teachers are free to teach, students-many in jeopardy of dropping out-finally have the opportunity to focus on learning. “Allowing increasing numbers of students to under-achieve is our failing as adults. We can do better and we must,” stated Thompson-Black. Linda formerly worked for former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice as an advisor on education issues where she helped organize the city’s first education summit. Linda was also instrumental in the development and passage of the Families and Education Levy. Along with her background in public policy, as the former Business Manager for the Seattle Aquarium and Woodlawn Park Zoo, Linda has had direct experience with financial management. Demonstrating her personal commitment to improving schools, Linda served as the South Shore Middle School PTSA President, and she participated on the Franklin High School Site Council. Linda has been a bridge builder and able to reach out to diverse community stakeholders effectively on a local and national level for the past 25 years. “I believe my current and past experience has prepared me for this position. We need a school board that understands their role as policy makers and fiscal stewards and I will bring that to this position,” She said. “Linda also understands community and the importance of strong and effective schools in our neighborhoods, city-wide. Our children went to Franklin together, my wife and I worked side by side with Linda as involved parents, that is why I am an enthusiastic co-chair of her campaign,” said Jim Diers, former Director of the City of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods. Linda will be campaigning with hundreds of dedicated supporters throughout the city. Former Mayor Norm Rice said “Linda will bring a spirit of collaboration, practical problem solving and a big vision to prepare students to participate in a global economy, to be productive citizens and to make the necessary systems change that will lead to strong educational outcomes, I am proud to be a co-chair for her campaign.” Gene Roegland Director, Costco Community Relations said, “Linda has an outstanding track record of working effectively with the business community in their efforts to support schools particularly in the area of strategic planning and resource development; she is a pleasure to work with.” Linda’s Background, Family, and Education: While growing up on Beacon Hill, Linda attended Columbia Elementary School, Sharples (now Aki Kurose Middle School), and is a proud graduate of Franklin High School class of 1972. Linda received her Masters of Public Administration from the University of Washington with a financial management and organizational development focus. She and her husband Dr. Al Black have resided in the Mount Baker neighborhood for more than twenty years, where they have raised their two daughters Alia, a recent graduate from the University of Washington, and their younger daughter Nicole, who is currently a UW Husky in her junior year. Linda will have a campaign kick-off on Thur., June 2nd at the Mt. Baker Community Club.Paid for by Linda Thompson-Black for Seattle School Board, District 74117 41st Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98118 – (206) 725-8770 – lindatbforschoolboard@comcast.net