[RE-RELEASE] Joe Mizrahi - D4 Seattle School Board Candidate (incumbent)

Joe Mizrahi is running for Seattle School Board District 4, which covers Queen Anne, Fremont, Belltown, and South Lake Union. His opponent is Laura Marie Rivera. This interview is part of our 2025 Seattle School Board Candidate series. Every Seattle voter will vote on four school board races in the general election: Districts 2, 4, 5, and 7.

About Joe Mizrahi

• Secretary Treasurer of UFCW 3000 (represents 60,000 frontline workers)
• Currently serving as District 4 school board director (appointed)
• Parent of three daughters in Seattle Public Schools
• Co-chair of $2 billion pension fund
• Serves on multiple boards
• Has testified to state legislature annually since 2008

Key Positions

First Priority:

• Bring back committee structures for board members
• Need deeper dives on issues

On School Board Role:

• Hold district accountable to voters' values and strategic vision
• Approve budget with eye toward sustainability for next decade
• Be connective tissue with general public

On Superintendent Search:

• Need someone who can hold system accountable
• Strong communication skills and ability to draw in community
• Brings strong vision for district

On District Structure:

• Worst choice is operating halfway between systems
• Likes autonomy for different program choices
• Needs centralization for support and standards
• Every building should have its own feel

On When Goals Aren't Met:

• Hold superintendent accountable through evaluations
• Set meeting agendas to make staff explain issues
• Can reject plans and ask for better ones
• Be careful not to over-rely on standardized tests

On Community Engagement:

• Use board position to bring issues to meetings and agenda
• Example: forced district to address waitlists and enrollment
• Job is to carry community concerns, not tell educators how to do their jobs

Other Positions:

• Strongly supports special education inclusion and dual language immersion
• Sees board role as both trustee and representative

Educational Leader He Admires: His mother (special education teacher who fought for inclusion)

Most Aligned With: School Board President Gina Topp

Important Info

• Ballots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4th
• Also listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.org
• Joe's campaign: joe4schools.com
• Podcast info: rainydayrecess.org | [e-mail]

Support the show

Contact us at [e-mail].
Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.