Seattle School Board Budget Accountability: Vivian Song on the $1.2 B Crisis (Seattle School Board Candidate) cover art

Seattle School Board Budget Accountability: Vivian Song on the $1.2 B Crisis (Seattle School Board Candidate)

Seattle School Board Budget Accountability: Vivian Song on the $1.2 B Crisis (Seattle School Board Candidate)

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 Seattle spends more than $1.2 billion each year on public education, nearly the same as running the entire city. So why do so few people know where that money goes, or who's actually in charge of it? In this episode of Right in Front of My Face, I sit down with Vivian Song, candidate for Seattle School Board District 5, to talk about how local politics directly shape our schools, and why most of us aren't paying enough attention. I'll be honest: I didn't think I'd ever get this invested in local education policy. But the more I've learned through this podcast, the more I realize how deeply city culture, education, and accountability are intertwined. With a $1.2 billion budget nearly equal to that of Seattle's entire city government, the Seattle Public School system has enormous influence, and yet, shockingly little oversight. Vivian and I dig into the Student Outcomes Focused Governance model, how it's changed school board oversight, and what happens when financial committees disappear. We also talk about what accountability really looks like, how to rebuild public trust, and why marketing might actually be one of the smartest tools for saving public schools. This conversation made me think differently about how education works and how my vote connects to it all. No matter where your kids go to school (or if you have kids at all), this episode is for anyone who cares about how our community's future is being shaped.

Topics Covered:
  • Why local elections matter more than you think
  • The $1.2 billion question: who's watching Seattle's school budget?
  • Understanding Student Outcomes Focused Governance
  • How public education decisions affect everyone—even private school families
  • Lessons from Vivian's first term and why she's running again
  • The importance of transparency, community trust, and clear communication
  • How public schools can regain enrollment and rebuild confidence
  • The role of AI and technology in shaping the future of education
About the Guest: Vivian Song is a Harvard graduate, finance professional, and former Seattle School Board Director now running for District 5. A parent of four, she's passionate about public education, fiscal accountability, and ensuring equitable opportunities for every student in Seattle. https://www.songforseattleschools.com

You can find me on Instagram @rightinfrontofmyface or send me a note at rightinfrontofmyface@gmail.com. If this conversation hit home for you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. It really does help more people find these stories. And as always, don't forget to look around—you never know what's happening right in front of your face. Thank you to my sponsors Cassie and Jeremy Johnson with Windermere Real Estate: https://johnsonandwalker.com/
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