- Said, "\[a\]s an out LGBTQ+ person I want to champion a LGBTQ+ and racial equity lens on the school board. I want children and youth to know that they deserve to be safe and treated fairly." 
- Wants to teach skills like self-regulation, stress management, and other social and emotional skills to young children.

School Curriculum

- Said, \[t\]he inequities in academic achievement still need urgent attention and focus to make the Seattle School District an excellent learning environment."

College & Career Readiness

- Wants both teachers and parents to be included more in big decisions made by the board of education.

Teacher Recruitment

King County Elections

Debbie is originally from Auburn and Kent. They have lived in Seattle for 27 years. They have a bachelor's degree in political change through feminist and ethnic studies from Seattle University. They live with their partner and child, who attends Seattle Public Schools.

Debbie is a consultant who helps nonprofits with leadership, equity, and inclusion. They used to be the interim policy director at the National Alliance on Mental Illness Washington, a co-founder and executive director of LGBTQ Allyship, a community organizer for Hotel and Restaurant Employees (HERE) Local 8, and an English as a second language instructor at Renton Technical College. They have a teaching certification.

Debbie Carlsen's campaign for school district director is their first entry into politics.

Said, "\[a\]s an out LGBTQ+ person I want to champion a LGBTQ+ and racial equity lens on the school board. I want children and youth to know that they deserve to be safe and treated fairly."

Wants to teach skills like self-regulation, stress management, and other social and emotional skills to young children.

Said, "\[t\]he inequities in academic achievement still need urgent attention and focus to make the Seattle School District an excellent learning environment."

Wants both teachers and parents to be included more in big decisions made by the board of education.

- Said, "\[a\]s an out LGBTQ+ person I want to champion a LGBTQ+ and racial equity lens on the school board. I want children and youth to know that they deserve to be safe and treated fairly."
- Wants to teach skills like self-regulation, stress management, and other social and emotional skills to young children.
- Said, "\[t\]he inequities in academic achievement still need urgent attention and focus to make the Seattle School District an excellent learning environment."
- Wants both teachers and parents to be included more in big decisions made by the board of education.

Top Priorities

Debbie Carlsen

- 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.