- Plans to improve math, reading, and writing success rates and raise test scores.
- Wants to increase the amount of influence that parents have over what is taught in schools.

School Curriculum

- Said he "will work to keep our 'Promise' to prepare students for the future they choose."
- Opposes certain social programs and advocates bringing focus and resources back to academics and vocational training options.
- Supports job training for students who choose not to attend college. 
- Said, "I have seen firsthand how the district is failing its students and families, both academically and in preparation for life."

College & Career Readiness

As of July 5, 2023, Loren Dugan’s website did not contain information on this issue and Loren Dugan did not complete our questionnaire.

Teacher Recruitment

LinkedIn

Loren has lived in Burien for 26 years. He lives with his wife and two sons.

Loren Dugan's campaign for school district director is his first entry into politics.

Plans to improve math, reading, and writing success rates and raise test scores.

Wants to increase the amount of influence that parents have over what is taught in schools.

Said he "will work to keep our 'Promise' to prepare students for the future they choose."

Opposes certain social programs and advocates bringing focus and resources back to academics and vocational training options.

Supports job training for students who choose not to attend college.

Said, "I have seen firsthand how the district is failing its students and families, both academically and in preparation for life."

- Plans to improve math, reading, and writing success rates and raise test scores.
- Wants to increase the amount of influence that parents have over what is taught in schools.
- Said he "will work to keep our 'Promise' to prepare students for the future they choose."
- Opposes certain social programs and advocates bringing focus and resources back to academics and vocational training options.
- Supports job training for students who choose not to attend college.
- Said, "I have seen firsthand how the district is failing its students and families, both academically and in preparation for life."

Top Priorities

Facebook

Loren Dugan

Loren Dugan was home-schooled, specializing in various woodworking techniques. He has lived in Burien for 26 years with his wife and 2 adopted sons. He is a soccer and baseball coach, youth activities director, and church and Boy Scouts volunteer.

Loren Dugan has been the owner of Beautiful Custom Stairs Inc. since 1988.

- Prioritizes reversing downward trend in math, reading, and writing success rates.
- Intends to work to raise test scores.
- Wants to increase parental input in public education and curriculum.

- "Dugan will work to keep our “Promise” to prepare students for the future they choose."
- Opposes certain social programs and advocates bringing focus and resources back to academics and vocational training options.

- Supports the role of the arts in education.
- Plans to require 100 minutes for music instruction for students in kindergarten through 5th grade.
- Wants more education about language about dealing with racism and other sensitive topics.

- Supports having an elected student school board.

- Has been involved in contract negotiations that "successfully bargained the largest raise  [for educators] in our history at nearly 15% over two years."
- Intends to provide access to mental health caregivers and put a full-time counselor and nurse in every district building.

King County Elections

Michael has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska, a master's degree from Lesley University, and a master's degree from the University of Denver. He lives with his family.

Michael has worked in education for 28 years. He is a certified teacher and principal.

Michael T. Lewis's campaign for school district director is his first entry into politics.

Supports the role of the arts in education.

Plans to require 100 minutes for music instruction for students in kindergarten through 5th grade.

Wants more education about language about dealing with racism and other sensitive topics.

Supports having an elected student school board.

Has been involved in contract negotiations that "successfully bargained the largest raise for educators in our history at nearly 15% over two years."

Intends to provide access to mental health caregivers and put a full-time counselor and nurse in every district building.

- Supports the role of the arts in education.
- Plans to require 100 minutes for music instruction for students in kindergarten through 5th grade.
- Wants more education about language about dealing with racism and other sensitive topics.
- Supports having an elected student school board.
- Has been involved in contract negotiations that "successfully bargained the largest raise for educators in our history at nearly 15% over two years."
- Intends to provide access to mental health caregivers and put a full-time counselor and nurse in every district building.

Michael T. Lewis

King County

Michael T. Lewis is a first-generation college student. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, a Master's degree from Lesley University, and a Master's degree from the University of Denver. He lives in Seattle with his family.

Michael T. Lewis has a 28 year background in education. He has worked with students in grades ranging from Pre-K to college, and holds his teaching and principal certification in the state of Washington.

- Defends the role of the arts in education.
- Currently has a bill "that will require 100 minutes of music instruction for students in kindergarten through 5th grade."
- Wants to add education about language surrounding dealing with racism and other sensitive topics.

- Intends to create a role for an elected student board director if not already in existence.

- Supports teaching students that a nuclear, traditional family structure is important.
- Wants to shift focus back 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."

As of July 5, 2023, Mitchell Khayim did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Mitchell attended Exegetical Theology Hebrew University External Studies program. He lives in Burien.

Mitchell is a real estate broker. He has also been a community organizer for more than 30 years.

Mitchell Khayim's campaign for school district director is his first entry into politics.

Supports teaching students that a nuclear, traditional family structure is important.

Wants to shift focus back 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."

Mitchell Khayim

Mitchell Khayim received his education from the Exegetical Theology Hebrew University External Studies program. He lives in Burien.

Mitchell Khayim is currently a real estate broker. He has also served as a community organizer for over 30 years.

- Endorses program that center around the idea of the nuclear, or traditional, family.
- Wants to shift focus back 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."

- Intends to "ensure that all students, families, and teachers have access to equitable and sustainable funding for programs, for support and support staff, and resources."

As of July 5, 2023, Stephanie Tidholm’s website did not contain information on this issue and Stephanie Tidholm did not complete our questionnaire.

- Wants to make sure that all schools have adequate mental health resources. 
- Plans to increase support staff, such as deans.

Stephanie is originally from Washington. She has an associate's degree from South Seattle College and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Washington. She lives with her two sons in White Center.

Stephanie is a LEAD program case manager at Evergreen Treatment Services. She used to be a MAT substance abuse counselor at Therapeutic Health Services and a finance specialist.

Stephanie Tidholm's campaign for school district director is her first entry into politics.

Intends to "ensure that all students, families, and teachers have access to equitable and sustainable funding for programs, for support and support staff, and resources."

Wants to make sure that all schools have adequate mental health resources.

Plans to increase support staff, such as deans.

- Intends to "ensure that all students, families, and teachers have access to equitable and sustainable funding for programs, for support and support staff, and resources."
- Wants to make sure that all schools have adequate mental health resources.
- Plans to increase support staff, such as deans.

Stephanie Tidholm

Stephanie Tidholm is a first-generation college graduate. She earned her Associate of Arts degree in Psychology from South Seattle College, and her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Washington. She is a lifelong Washington resident and currently lives with her two sons in White Center.

Stephanie Tidholm is currently the LEAD program case manager at Evergreen Treatment Services, where she has been since 2022. She was previously a finance specialist and later MAT substance abuse counselor at Therapeutic Health Services from 2019 to 2022.

- The School Board of Directors runs the public school system. The School Board of Directors is entirely independent from the rest of the county government.
- School District Directors work together to make school policy, set the budget, decide what is taught in schools, and appoint the superintendent to run the schools day to day.
- School District Directors are elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections.