Janis White
Transparent Budgeting
High Achievement
Inclusive Learning for All Students
Meet Janis
For more than two decades, Janis White has been a champion for Seattle’s students and families.
She is the Founding President of All Youth Belong, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing inclusion and belonging for disabled youth in community life.
Janis is the former Board President of the Seattle Special Education PTSA and of the Kinhaven Music School. She also led as President of the TOPS K-8 Site Council, one of the schools the district has previously proposed closing to address our budget crisis.
FOR SEATTLE SCHOOLS
Gina Topp
Seattle School Board President
Stephen Sundquist
Former Seattle School Board Director
Joy Hollingsworth
Seattle City Councilmember
Leslie Harris
former Seattle School Board President
Kay Smith-Blum
former Seattle School Board President
Sherry Carr
former Seattle School Board Director
Kerstin Dorse
Jamie Flaxman
Kay Gabriel
Katherine George
Kimberly Gilsdorf
Dorsey Green
Julie Gunter
Daniela Hall
Joelle Hammerstad
Ramona J. Hattendorf
Susan Hester
Miriam Hinden
Paulette K. Hopke
Ann Huber
Cheryl Jenrow
Chelle Johnson
Dawn Aiken
Nancy Bacon
Heidi Bennett
Brenda Biernat, M.Ed.
Andrea Bonaccorsi
Sara Bruemmer
Marianne Bryan
Mariza Cabral
Tara F. Chace, PhD
Roger Cibella
Nancy Cohen
Cherylynne Crowther
Alison DeGregorio
Shana Reiss de Reyes
Kristi DeVadder
Angela Katsuyama
David Kosins
Kellie LaRue
Xiao Yu Law
Jai Lingappa
Mash Makhlyagina
Dionne Malatesta
Margaret Montsaroff
Stephen Montsaroff
Rachel Nemhauser
Julie Osterling
Beth Oswald
Scott Oswald
Holly Overman
Karen Pavlidis
Pamela Phillips
Jamila Reid
Christie Reneer
Frank Rowe
Ilene Schwartz
Heather Schwindt
Anne Sheeran
Nancy Simon
Todd P. Silverstein
Lois Soiffer
Catherine Staunton
Ann Stever
Heidi Stuber
Vivian van Gelder
Alison Wald
Anne Webster
Susan Welch
Rose Yu
SUPPORTERS
ENDORSEMENTS
FIGHTING FOR STUDENTS
Janis knows what is at stake for Seattle Schools. She knows that to challenge the status quo, we must hold leadership accountable and bring people together to find solutions.
As our school board director, she is ready to fight for transparent budgeting, inclusive education, and policies that put students first.
KEY ISSUES
How Janis Will Fight For Our Students »
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Fighting for High Achievement Programs
Current Challenge: District leaders have cut high achievement programs leading many parents to consider moving their kids out of Seattle Public Schools, contributing to a downward spiral of declining enrollment that worsens our budget crisis.
Janis's Commitment: Fight to restore and expand access to Higher Achievement programs and provide opportunities for students to have their needs met and advance.
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Transparent and Responsible Budgeting
Current Challenge: The district faces significant budget deficits and has proposed dozens of school closures, impacting educational quality and resources.
Janis's Commitment: Advocate for full funding from the State Legislature, conduct thorough budget analyses to prioritize student outcomes, and promote transparency by involving community experts in financial discussions early and often.
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Supporting Students with Disabilities
Current Challenge: Over 20% of Seattle Public Schools students have disabilities, yet District strategies often overlook their unique needs, violating their legal rights.
Janis's Commitment: Integrate the needs of students with disabilities into all district decision-making processes improving outcomes for every student, advocate for inclusive policies, and ensure the implementation of evidence-based instruction and services for all abilities.
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Addressing the Crisis of Student Mental Health
Current Challenge: According to an analysis by Children’s Alliance, more than 1 in every 5 students in our K-12 schools suffer from major depression or anxiety with many more exhibiting serious symptoms.
Janis's Commitment: Deliver on the demands of students after the Ingraham High School Shooting to fully fund more school counselors and therapists in our classrooms, increase access to group therapy options, and address the negative impact of social media use on our kids.
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Equity and Inclusion
Current Challenge: Equity initiatives and protections for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC students are under threat, jeopardizing the progress made in addressing the diverse needs of every student.
Janis's Commitment: Champion anti-racism, anti-ableism and other inclusive policies because they don’t just benefit the students who need them, these programs recognize the intersectionality of student identities, and ensure all students have access to world-class resources and opportunities.
"Our schools must be places where every child is seen, valued, and empowered to succeed. I will listen, learn, and lead with integrity to ensure Seattle Schools reflect the diverse needs of our students."
- Janis White
SEATTLE SCHOOLS
IN THE NEWS
Our kids and schools need help. Janis will work hard to make Seattle Public Schools more inclusive, equitable, and effective for our students. Read my letter to the editor in The Seattle Times.
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Federal probe opened into whether Seattle Schools failed special ed students during pandemic
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'Needs not numbers.' Teachers, families protest Seattle schools special education staff changes
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Parents protest Seattle Public Schools' proposed special education staff swap
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Students With Special Needs – The Forgotten Class During The COVID-19 Pandemic
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Seattle schools Superintendent Denise Juneau will not seek contract renewal
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Seattle families growing frustrated with impasse between teachers and school district
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Washington state children with disabilities are left behind by remote learning
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Only 1 Seattle Public Schools student is receiving special-education services in person right now
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Seattle Superintendent leaving, community reaction
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Reactions to Seattle schools Chief Denise Juneaus resignation are mixed
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As other school district open, Seattle remains split on returning to classrooms
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Summer school in Seattle: it's hard for us to know if he is truly accessing education
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Seattle lags behind neighboring districts in search for new Superintendent
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OSPI has failed Washington's most vulnerable students
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Seattle school closures: why almost ever student would be affected
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District has failed to deliver on special education during pandemic
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Seattle Schools says many 'essential' staff will be called back to classrooms in March
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Reactions to Seattle schools chief Denise Juneau’s resignation are mixed
Janis doesn't just talk, she leads.
Through her role as the past president of Seattle's Special Education PTSA, she worked with parents to help publish a comprehensive guide for families, caregivers, and educators to better support students with disabilities and understand their rights. It's available online for free and was presented to over 50 PTSA groups in Seattle.
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GET INVOLVED
Join Janis in her mission to create a more inclusive, transparent, and equitable Seattle Public Schools system.