Campaign Announcement — Ken Kemp for Highline School Board

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Campaign Announcement — Ken Kemp for Highline School Board

Every child in Highline deserves a school system grounded in academic excellence, where curiosity develops and students gain the skills they need for their future. Yet the data tells a different story. Nearly 80% of Highline students are not meeting basic grade-level standards in core academics, a decline that has reached new lows over the past decade under the current school board’s leadership.

Despite this, district leaders continue to focus on the already high 83% graduation rate—as if diplomas alone prove success. They don’t. Students are being passed through the system without the reading, writing, or math proficiency required for college, the trades, or the workforce. Families deserve honesty and higher expectations—not celebrations of hollow statistics.

I am running because this must change. As an Olympic College graduate with a Degree in Applied Sciences and a Certified Teacher in Mathematics and Science, I understand how critical strong academics are to every child’s future. I first interviewed for a school board appointment because I saw these declines firsthand. Instead of prioritizing student achievement, the board appointed someone who does not put academics first.

My family spans four generations in the Highline School District. For more than 20 years, I’ve used my education to build a successful career, and I believe every student—whether pursuing college, trades, or vocational training—deserves the same opportunity to succeed.

Most of our local tax dollars go toward education, contributing to the nearly $25,000 spent per child in Highline, yet students are falling further behind. I will restore academic standards, support teachers, and ensure safe, stable classrooms.

It is time to put students first. Vote Ken Kemp for Highline School Board.