Candidates for Seattle School Board positions that cover Ballard told the community last week what they would do to restore confidence in the public school system and unite an often divided board.

Candidates from each of the four open School Board positions came to meet community members one-on-one before a moderated forum held at Pathfinder K-8 Alternative School in West Seattle.

Just two candidates, incumbent Sally Soriano and Peter Maier, are running for District 1. For the District 2 position, which includes neighborhoods surrounding Ballard, three of five registered candidates showed up; Sherry Carr, Lisa Steubing and incumbent Darlene Flynn.

These candidates will face off in the Aug. 21 primary, in which voters will cast ballots only by district. The top two from the primary will advance to a citywide race in the November general election.

Each candidate was given three minutes to present their views before taking questions from the audience. More than 50 people came and spread out blankets on Pathfinder's front lawn to listen.

Soriano grew up helping her "PTA mother" pass school levies. She remembers leafleting around her Alki neighborhood as early as 4 years old.

A former teacher and policy analyst, Soriano has been on the board since 2003. During her tenure with the district she's pushed staff to balance the capital budget and played an "instrumental role" in preventing charter schools in the state, Soriano said.

She also pledged to advocate for smaller class sizes.

"I'm just as committed today as I was in 2003 to serve all the kids in this district," Soriano said.

Maier, Soriano's only competitor, was also a teacher at the community college level. A former attorney and Loyal Height's resident, Maier's two children both graduated from Ballard High.

In 2004 and again this year he helped pass school levies and bonds as president of Schools First, a non-profit dedicated to passing school levies. Maier said he is against charter schools and would work on creating stronger math instruction and fiscal stability.

"We have a great opportunity for change in our school district and we need a board that is strong and effective...and that's what I'm all about," he said. "We need a board that identifies key priorities, sticks to those priorities and then moves forward."

Incumbent for District 2, Darlene Flynn, said she's delivered on promises she made when elected in 2003 to help the district improve its finances and focus on academic achievement for all students.

"I didn't promise to solve all (of the district's) problems, but I promised to be focused and tough," said Flynn.

Flynn said since she's been on the board, academic scores have increased across the district by 50 percent in reading, writing and math. She promised to work toward creating equitable schools by ensuring adequate funding in all sectors.

"I'll push for tax reform if necessary, that's just the bottom line," Flynn said. "If that's what it takes then that's what it takes."

Stuebing, also running for District 2, has based her platform on reducing drop out rates, recruiting quality teachers and increasing city pride and engagement in Seattle schools.

Stuebing, who said she "studied up" for the position, dropped out of high school herself and later returned as an adult.

"I want the School Board to get back to basics," she said. "We are failing to graduate half of our students. Reasonably bright kids are not leaving the system with a diploma."

Stuebing is against closing schools and instead believes that excess district space should be used to co-locate programs for social services or families like arts or preschool.

James Kovacevich, who attended the forum last week, said Soriano has his vote so far. But the biggest charge of the new school board will be to restore the "ethics, confidence and decency" in the public school system, he said.

He believes Soriano has demonstrated her "independence and objectiveness," and ability to not just "rubber stamp" decisions.

"She looks out for what is best for the community and the kids, not special interest or the current bureaucracy," Kovacevich. "She's strong and effective enough to be able to change the direction of the board or lead that change."

Rebekah Schilperoort may be reached at 783.1244 or rebekahs@robinsonnews.com