All right.
Good morning, everyone.
The September 11, 2025 meeting of the Library's Education and Neighborhoods Committee will come to order.
It's 9.32 a.m.
I'm Maritza Rivera, chair of the committee.
For many of us, saying the word September 11th is still difficult and uncomfortable.
Since 2001, this date is seared in the memories of some of us, especially those of us from New York City whose families and loved ones were forever impacted that day, such as myself.
I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the many lives that were lost, what our country went through on that day, And the weeks, months, and years after, and how we remain a changed nation.
Thank you for allowing me to reflect on this this morning.
On to our agenda for today.
I will note for the record that Councilmember Juarez is excused from today's meeting.
Will the clerk please call the roll?
Councilmember Hollingsworth?
Here.
Councilmember Salomon?
Here.
Vice Chair Rankin.
Present.
And Chair Rivera.
Present.
Four council members are present.
All right.
If there's no objection, the agenda will be adopted.
Hearing no objection, the agenda is adopted.
There are 13 items of business on today's agenda.
We will be considering and voting on two appointments to the Landmarks Preservation Board.
The imposition of historical landmark controls on Tolliver Temple, Church of God in Christ, and the first meeting of the reappointment process for Director Duane Chappelle at the Department of Education and Early Learning.
We will now open the hybrid public comment period.
Public comment should relate to items on the agenda or within the purview of this committee.
Clerk, how many speakers are signed up today?
One moment.
Currently we have no in-person speakers and two remote speakers signed up for today.
Thank you.
Can you please read the public comment instructions?
The public comment period will be moderated in the following manner.
The public comment period is up to 20 minutes.
Each speaker will have two minutes.
Speakers will be called in the order in which they are registered.
We will start with in-person speakers, if they are here, and then remote speakers until the public comment period has ended.
Speakers will hear a chime when 10 seconds are left of their time.
The public comment period is now open, and we will begin with the first speaker on the remote list.
Which is David Haynes.
All right, thank you, David Haynes.
The neighborhoods are in dire straits and we have praises and punch pullings for a mayor who has failed this community.
Even U District has become a hotbed of gang rape and sexploitation and there's no real effort to put it into it.
And in a separate, City Council has not made any real effort to improve the experience in the hours at the Central Library And the other libraries.
There's literally miserable experience that's repulsive when you can't even go into the library and sit down and read because of the way they designed the library as if it's designed to keep you awake, irritated, and bothered.
And there's almost always somebody within a few inches of you making a bunch of noise with inconsiderate bad habits, just walking right past you, dropping body dust on you.
And then you go over to the computer and you can't even get away from the smell, the bad habits, And the annoying noises of people with mental problems and inconsiderate chair-dragging startling everyone, you start realizing that the library is permeated with all of these homeless and behavioral crisis and drug addicts and disrespectful people.
And nobody's doing anything about it.
It's as if the librarians don't want to be bothered.
And all they have to do is call the service providers.
And all council has to do is keep those service providers honest.
But we don't have that.
We have a bunch of virtue signaling and empty words to reference it, but there hasn't been any improvement yet.
All-Walk Council wants to issue historical preservation and landmark preservation on any and every piece of slum real estate in Seattle.
Like, iconically ridiculous.
And I'm not talking about the church.
I'm talking about all these rundown buildings in Pioneer Square.
It's like there are certain neighborhoods where they just need to be torn down.
But some of these people who've been drunk in Seattle since way back in the day, they're stuck with what They're familiar with, and they want to keep things as they are.
As if you improve things, they will feel empty inside because of a slump piece of real estate they used to get drunk in.
We need better leadership.
We need sober, focused leadership, not counsel that's distracted with self-dealing conflicts of interest behind the scenes, watering down the integrity of oversight.
You need to improve the libraries just like you need to improve Liza Rankin.
Tanya Woo.
Sorry, that's supposed to automatically come off when the time is up.
Thank you, Speaker.
And one minute, colleagues.
We're going to fix the timer here.
That was the last speaker.
Chair, that was the last registered speaker.
Thank you, clerk.
There are no additional registered speakers.
The public comment period is now closed, so we'll proceed to our items of business.
But before we do that, I notice we have a, looks like a class in here today.
And Vice Chair Rankin, I saw your staff escort them in.
Do you want to introduce them?
Certainly will.
This was a surprise to me this morning as well.
And so I want to welcome the class that's here today.
Thank you for coming to City Hall.
Thanks for getting connected to local government.
We have an exciting agenda for us today.
And just welcome to the Library's Education and Neighborhoods Committee here on Council.
Thank you.
Students, can one of you tell me what school you're from?
I would love to know to welcome you properly as a school.
The downtown school, welcome downtown school to Seattle City Hall and to the Library's Education and Neighborhoods Committee.
We're so happy that you're here today.
Thank you for being here.
All right.
I always enjoy young people coming.
You are the future.
Maybe some of you will be sitting up here someday, and so I really appreciate the engagement from the students and the schools that come to visit City Hall.
Thanks for being here again.
All right.
Will the clerk please read items one and two into the record?
Agenda items one and two.
Agenda item one, appointment 03321, the appointment of Erica Thomas as member of the Landmarks Preservation Board as an at-large member for a term to August 14th, 2028. Agenda item two, Appointment 03-220, the appointment of Vijay Kopacki as a member of the Landmarks Preservation Board as a historian for a term to August 14, 2028 for briefing discussion and possible vote.
Thank you so much.
These appointments have been read into the record.
We're joined by Erin Doherty, the Landmarks Coordinator at the Department of Neighborhoods, who will be presenting the appointments.
Erin, please state your name for the record and you may begin.
Good morning.
Erin Doherty with Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.
So thank you all for having us here today.
We have, starting with the two appointments, and then we have another item to discuss.
So I'm joined today by Erica J. Thomas.
She's here in the audience.
There she is.
So we are seeking to appoint Erica in the at-large position on the Landmarks Preservation Board.
This is for a term through August 14, 2028. Erica Thomas is a lifelong Seattleite who is deeply connected to the city's evolving landscape and cultural heritage.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Sociology, specifically Comparative Ethnic Studies.
Erica works in administrative operations, data management, and client relations in the corporate and nonprofit sector.
She sees the importance of preserving spaces that tell the stories of the communities that built this city and is concerned about neighborhoods and their histories that may be overlooked or erased.
Her hope is to bring heart, history, and perspective to the Landmarks Board and to help preserve Seattle's legacy.
Thank you, Erin.
Erica, would you like to come up and say a few words?
You're welcome to, if you'd like.
And either microphone's working, so whichever one's most comfortable for you.
Good morning, everybody.
I'm happy to be here.
Good morning, everybody.
I'm happy to be here.
I appreciate the chance to serve my community.
Again, I am Erica, and I am from Seattle.
I grew up in Rainer Beach.
I currently live in the Central District, and I'm a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church.
And a short speech I put together, I just want to say thank you to the council members.
I'm honored to serve as a member at large on the Landmarks Preservation Board.
To help balance growth with stewardship.
Protecting places that tell Seattle's whole story.
I want to serve because I see it as my civic duty to give back to the community that raised me.
Preserving our landmarks, especially those tied to underrepresented histories and people.
So I'm here to serve.
Thank you.
Thank you, Erica.
Aaron.
Thank you, Erica.
Okay, our second candidate is Vijay Kopacki.
Vijay couldn't be here today, had a war conflict.
We're seeking to appoint Vijay in the historian position for a term that ends August 14th, 2028. Vijay Kopacki has over a decade of professional experience in museum leadership, public history, and historic preservation.
She is passionate about honoring and interpreting the layered histories of our built environment through community-centered research and preservation to help tell the full story of our shared past.
Vijay holds a master's degree in museum studies and a bachelor's degree in anthropology and gender studies.
She is currently the executive director of the Kent Historical Museum in Kent, Washington, and seeks to bring her passion for preserving heritage and a practical knowledge of historic building stewardship to the Landmarks Preservation Board.
Thank you, Erin, and thank you, BJ, for wanting to serve on this commission.
Thank you, Erica, for wanting to serve on this commission, for your willingness to serve.
Colleagues, do you have any questions?
Or comments?
All right.
If not, I move that the committee recommend confirmation of appointments 03321 and 03320. Is there a second?
Second.
It is moved and seconded to confirm the appointments.
Are there any further comments?
Then I'm just going to say what I always say, which is I'm always so appreciative that people are willing to step up and serve their communities and this city by taking these volunteer unpaid positions.
They volunteer their time and their expertise and their passion to these boards and commissions at the city.
And I am so grateful and honored that folks care enough about their communities in the city to take on these volunteer positions.
And students in the back, We have a youth commission, actually.
So if someday you would be interested in serving on a commission, you can let us know.
We can send the information to your principal, your teachers, and you can sign up to serve on a commission.
Position vacancies come open from time to time, especially as students move on to college.
And such.
And so these are great opportunities for you to get involved in your community and serve.
And we love to hear from you.
And it's important to hear from youth voices.
So I'll encourage you to think about that for the future.
All right, colleagues.
Will the clerk please call the roll on the confirmation of the appointments?
Council Member Hollingsworth?
Yes.
Council Member Solomon?
Aye.
Vice Chair Rink?
Yes.
Chair Rivera?
Aye.
We have four in favor and none opposed.
The motion carries and the recommendation that the appointments be confirmed will be sent to the September 16, 2025 City Council meeting.
Thank you again, Erica, and thank you for being here.
Congratulations.
Thank you, Vijay.
Sorry, you couldn't be with us today, but we're thinking about you.
All right, we'll move on to the next agenda item.
Clerk, please read agenda three, item three into the record.
Agenda Item 3, Council Bill 121075, an ordinance relating to historic preservation and imposing controls upon Tolliver Temple Church of God in Christ, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code and adding it to the table of historical landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code for briefing, discussion, and possible vote.
Thank you.
This item has been read into the record.
Colleagues, Erin will stay here to introduce this landmark designation for our consideration.
I apologize.
It's up on the screen, but not showing on the big screen.
No worries.
We've had tech issues in chambers all week.
Thank you to our clerk, Phil, for helping.
Yes.
Get this presentation up and running.
And while that's happening, I'll also thank the council.
You appointed another Landmarks Board member earlier this week for the Get Engaged program, the youth program through the Y.
And so thank you for appointing Cameron Wong.
And you also appointed someone to the Pioneer Square Board.
So thank you for that.
All right.
Okay, so today we're here to talk about an ordinance to codify a controls and incentives agreement between the Tolliver Temple Church of God in Christ and the City Historic Preservation Officer.
But we will start with a short overview of the broader historic preservation program Under which the Landmarks Board resides.
The mission of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is to provide resources and opportunities for community members to build strong communities, receive equitable access to government, and improve their quality of life.
Historic Preservation works in collaboration with communities to preserve places that are identified as important.
Keeping a tangible connection with the past helps foster community belonging in the present and the future.
And the Historic Preservation Program in the City of Seattle includes both the Landmarks Program, which is over 450 individually designated landmarks, but there are also eight local historic districts in the city.
And the work of our boards and the staff, we coordinate the boards and commissions, all led by community volunteers.
We can't do the work without the volunteers.
They are the decision makers.
We support people through the nomination and designation process of making new landmarks, managing the certificates of approval process, and that's essentially like a permit to alter an existing landmark or contributing building or feature in a historic district.
We also conduct surveys and inventories of historic resources, and we completed the Disability Activism Project last year.
We do coordination of major project review and interdepartmental permitting.
Sometimes that's helping an applicant who is seeking to do work in a landmark or in a district, and they need permits from multiple departments, and so we're assisting in coordinating that.
It might also mean that we're helping another department that owns a landmark or a contributing building or feature in a district, and we're assisting them with many times multi-year projects and phases and helping them navigate that process.
And then also engaging the community in education, outreach, and storytelling.
So when the Landmarks Board considers a new potential landmark, they are looking at the designation standards.
In order to be designated as a landmark, a building, object, or site must be, and this is the code as it's written today, 25 years old.
But that is changing.
It must also meet at least one of the six standards for designation as outlined in the ordinance.
And the six standards A through F are here.
And I'll just read them for the record and because we have many people here today.
But they only need to choose one.
But all six are here.
A, it is the location of or is associated in a significant way with a historic event with a significant effect upon the community, city, state, or nation.
B, it is associated in a significant way with the life of a person important in the history of the city, state, or nation.
C, it is associated in a significant way with a significant aspect of the cultural, political, or economic heritage of the community, city, state, or nation.
D embodies the distinctive visible characteristics of an architectural style or period or method of construction.
E, it is an outstanding work of a designer or builder.
F, because of its prominence of spatial location, contrasts of sighting, age, or scale, is an easily identifiable visual feature of a neighborhood or the city and contributes to the distinctive quality or identity of such neighborhood or the city.
In addition to meeting at least one of the standards, the object, sight, or improvement must also possess integrity or the ability to convey its significance." Okay, that's a lot of words. I apologize, but reading everything that's on the screen. So, today, we're talking about Tolliver Temple Church of God in Christ. And I'd like to thank Pastor Isabel, who's here with us in the audience. Edith Harrison, also here. And I don't know if Rose is here. Okay, I don't see Rose. But I want to thank Bishop Moore, Pastor Isabel, and Edith Harrison, and Rose Wallace Kroon, who've all contributed to the landmarking of Tolliver Temple in different ways in terms of presenting and preparing the nomination, but also being stewards of the building. And I'd also like to thank and recognize Jamie Miriamin Cohen and Sarah Martin, who helped prepare the nomination application. And the work that they've done is what we're showing here in today's presentation. So this is Tolliver Temple, Church of God in Christ, 1915 East 1st Street. This is a central area. This was designated by the Landmarks Board on June 1st, 2023, under standards A, B, C, D, and F. So all six standards, even though they only need to choose one. So Toliver Temple joins a short list of other landmark properties who have all six standards. So I'll just mention them so people can kind of get a sense of what that looks like. Mount Zion Baptist Church, the Horayuchi Mural at Seattle Center, the Coliseum, which we all know today as Climate Pledge Arena, Pacific Science Center, and the Space Needle. So Toliver Temple joins that group today. The board designated the site of the building, the exterior of the building, and then the sanctuary interior space. And the sanctuary is located here on the east end of the building. So this simplified Romanesque style structure is the work of architect William G. Bruce, Jr., who designed a number of ecclesiastical structures in the Seattle region. Tolliver Temple Church of God in Christ is located in the central area and was initially home to Sephardic Baker Holim Synagogue for nearly 40 years until they built a new structure in Seward Park. Although they moved, some of the members and the rabbi maintained relationships with members and pastors of Tolliver Temple for decades across generations of families, and Rose Wallace Kroon is one of those people. When this building was constructed in 1929, the central area was home to black, Jewish, and Japanese communities with a strong residential and commercial fabric that was intertwined. Tolliver Temple is named for Ellie Tolliver, who was one of the original trustees for Seattle's first Church of God in Christ, established in 1926. Following his service in the US Army in World War I, Mr. Tolliver moved to Seattle from Mississippi, part of the great migration of black Americans who left the South for economic opportunity and a better life. Bishop Tolliver began his own congregation in Seattle in 1940 in a commercial building located at 424 21st Avenue. It's just off the screen up to the top of the right. They worshipped in that space for over two decades until purchasing the subject property you see here outlined in red. They began building on this property and completed in 1963, and dedication services were held on January 1964. In addition to thousands of services and celebrations, the church opens its doors to the greater community, hosting meals, musical performances, and fundraisers. Today, I'm just so grateful that we're here to celebrate this building and want to thank all of you and happy to answer questions.
Thank you.
Excuse me.
Thank you, Aaron.
And thank you, Pastor Isabel, for being here and Edith Harrison for being here and for your work.
And thank you to Rose Wallace-Kroon, even though she couldn't be here today, for all the work that you put into this designation and for the caretaking of Tolliver Temple Church of God in Christ.
We really appreciate you being here today.
All right.
Colleagues, do you have any questions, comments?
Councilmember Hollingsworth.
Thank you, Chair Rivera, and thank you, Pastor Isabel, for being here, and Sister Harrison for being here, and thank you for that presentation.
Really excited about this in the Central District, and people often wonder why I go so hard for black churches and celebrate black churches in our city, not because I belong to a black church, but really because, and raised in the black church, but the spiritual foundation The community building, the social connection, the cultural preservation, and also the education and economic empowerment that black churches offer in our city and was a home for folks who could not go to other places in our city.
And the black church for me is one of the places where I feel sometimes the most safest.
In our city because of the connection and the community and the family that it brings to our city.
Very, very excited about this.
I know it's in our central district and it belongs there and for us to continue to that preservation And like I always say, for anything of black history, we know our history, we'll know our potential greatness.
So thank you all for being here and looking forward to voting yes on this.
Thank you, Councilmember Hollingsworth.
And Pastor Isabel, I meant to do this earlier, but I didn't want to put you on the spot.
If you'd like to come up and say a few words, you're welcome to.
You don't have to, but I want to give you the opportunity to do that.
This is an important day.
For Tolliver Temple.
Excuse me.
It's good to be here today, and we thank you for everyone that's present.
Yes, I'm the pastor at Tolliver Temple.
I'm the fifth in succession.
Bishop Tolliver was the first.
Then after him, Superintendent F.L. James.
Amen.
Then after him, excuse me, I'm the fourth.
After him came Superintendent O.J. Jenkins and myself, Pastor Kenneth Isabelle.
I've been pastoring about going on my 18th year.
I had a church located in South Seattle, and Superintendent Jenkins became ill.
And the church voted for me to take over Tolliver Temple Church.
And I thank God for that church, as was said by Ms. Hollingsworth, that it's been a stable in our community for a long time.
We are the second oldest Church of God in Christ in the state of Washington, second only to Madison Temple, which is located on 23rd Madison.
And just to be a landmark, be designated a landmark, speaks volumes.
And I'm sure if Superintendent James and Bishop Tolliver could be here today, they would be more than thrilled.
So we thank you for Allowing us to serve.
We do yet have contact with the Jewish community.
They come by about every month or so.
They bring a van load or a bus load and there's 30 or 40 of them that come up and we show them the building and they walk through and some of the older ancestors, they would say, I got married right over there and my grandmother went here.
So it's really It's a place of honor.
So we thank God we're located in the heart of the central area, right off of Yesler, right on 20th and Fur, right on the corner.
So we're thankful that we've been preserved and we'll be there with all the infrastructure going around in our city.
Just knowing that we'll be there, even when I'm passed on, even that church will yet be here.
So I want to thank you all.
Thank you so much, Aaron.
And we thank Sister Harrison for being here with us.
So continue to hold us in your prayers.
Thank you.
Thank you, Pastor Isabel.
Those were beautiful words.
And I will say I've had the honor and privilege to visit some black churches in this country.
I've never felt more welcome than I have when I've been to a black church.
So I am so honored to be a part of this today, of this designation.
So thank you.
All right, colleagues.
Let us take the vote to make this happen.
One second here.
All right.
I move that the committee recommend passage of Council Bill 121075. Designating a Toliver Temple Church of God in Christ as a landmark, a historic landmark.
Is there a second?
Second.
All right, it's been moved and seconded to recommend passage of the bill.
Are there any further comments?
Will the clerk please call the roll on recommending passage of Council Bill 121075?
Council Member Hollingsworth.
Absolutely.
Council Member Rink.
Yes.
Councilmember Salomon.
Yes.
Chair Rivera.
A resounding yes.
There are, pardon me, there are four in favor and none opposed.
The motion carries and the recommendation that the bill be passed will be sent to the September 16, 2025 City Council Committee.
All right.
Thank you again all.
Thank you.
And if I may, I'd also like to thank Bishop Alvin Moore.
He was supposed to be here today, but he really did support this through the entire process.
So I'm very grateful.
Thank you for sharing that, Erin.
That's important.
Thank you.
All right.
And thank you all again for being here today.
This is really an honor, so thank you.
All right, clerk, please read Agenda Item 4 into the record.
Agenda Item 4, Appointment 03294, the reappointment of Dwayne Chappelle as Director of the Department of Education and Early Learning for a term to August 1st, 2029 for roofing and discussion.
All right, thank you.
This appointment has been read into the record and while Director Chappelle comes up to the desk, I want to say colleagues, I have had the honor and pleasure of knowing and working with Director Duane Chappelle for the past almost eight years between my past role in the Durkin administration and now as the council chair for this committee.
We have worked together in supporting children and their families With childcare, preschool K-12 services, and the Promise Program.
I've worked with Duane on the last two Families Education Preschool and Promise levies.
I can tell you that putting together a levy renewal is no small feat for a department, especially as they continue the department's day-to-day operations.
Duane led his team through these processes with an unwavering commitment to deliver the best services to our kids and their families.
And we even have some more wounds together as we navigated the impacts of the global pandemic and pivoted services to respond to the needs during extremely stressful times.
I can tell you that I never once saw Director Chappelle without a smile on his face and a positive calm attitude and a positive kind word to say to someone.
Dwayne has served in three mayoral administrations.
That is a very big deal.
As most folks know, when new mayors come on, they typically hire new directors.
The fact that Dwayne has been here for three mayoral administrations is a testament to Dwayne's work and commitment and integrity.
He is, and he's worked with the past four Seattle public superintendents by my count.
He's beloved at Rainier Beach High School where he served as principal before joining the City of Seattle in his current role under the Murray administration.
That was the first administration.
As Director of Deal, Director Chappelle has maintained strong relationships with Seattle Public Schools, leaders in both early and higher learning, and community partners.
You would be hard pressed to find anyone who does not have a good word to say about Director Chappelle And his enduring commitment to improving outcomes for all Seattle children.
During his tenure, Director Chappelle, and also Dr. Chappelle, has overseen the growth of the city's award-winning Seattle Promise program and the success of Seattle Promise He is a friend to all, and he's my friend.
Welcome, thank you for being here, and I know you've prepared a few comments of, I'm gonna say reintroducing yourself, because we know you, and then colleagues will have opportunity for questions.
And then Director Chappell, if you're not prepared to answer a question today, we'll add it to the list of questions that we will be sending you from council members here as part of the reappointment process.
Colleagues, you'll also have an opportunity to submit questions for Director Chappell to respond to before our next meeting as part of this process.
Director Chappelle, please introduce yourself for the record, and then you may begin your introduction.
And you have a friend with you, so please have your friend introduce themselves as well.
So before I introduce my friend, I just want to just thank you, council member, for those kind words.
It's always hard hearing people say nice and positive things about what you do, especially when you love the work that you do.
You know you're a servant leader.
So I just want to thank you for that.
But I'm also here with another amazing colleague, Lori Baxter, and I'll let you introduce yourself.
Thank you, Director Chappell.
Thank you, Chair Rivera and Council Members.
I have the privilege of presenting someone you know very well on behalf of the Mayor's Office and Chief Deputy Mayor Washington, Dr. Duane Chappell, who Mayor Harrell intends to reappoint as the Director of the Department of Education and Early Learning.
Just a few comments about Director Chappelle.
As you all well know, the Department of Education and Early Learning provides critical services to Seattle's children, youth, and families, and under Director Chappelle's leadership, we are serving more of them than ever.
During his time as director, Dr. Chappelle shepherded the city's education levy through the council process, Not once, but twice.
And his department services have expanded during that time to benefit children and youth from cradle to college.
Since his appointment in 2016, the Seattle Preschool Program has served more than 11,000 children.
And received multiple national awards for quality.
He also played a critical role in establishing the transformational Seattle Promise program that enrolls 1,500 students each fall in Seattle colleges and led efforts to expand access to mental health services for all Seattle public school students.
He is recognized by the community as an accountable and responsive leader, as well as a responsible steward of investments in our city's youth.
His relationships with community and strong ties within education are a great asset to deal and have led to transformational partnerships with more than 200 school and community-based organizations across Seattle, all of which help us foster meaningful, measurable outcomes across early learning, K-12, and post-secondary education.
As Chair Rivera noted, he's also helped our young people and the educators and providers who care for them through some of their most challenging times, including programmatic pivots during remote learning and quickly standing up emergency childcare That supported our city's essential workers early in the COVID pandemic.
And he's continuously adapted to the ongoing and changing needs of our public schools with social-emotional supports for students, investments in school safety, and more.
And while I now have the privilege of supporting Deal in their work from the mayor's office, as Chair Rivera knows, I was also a Deal employee.
And I actually first got my start at the city.
Under Duane's leadership during the early days of implementation of the 2018 FEP levy.
And after observing him as a leader for nearly six years, I can say with confidence that Duane's commitment to his staff, to Deal's partners, and to the community, and more than anything, his passion for supporting the children and youth of Seattle, shine through in the work that he does every day.
It's this passion, as well as his experience as a father, educator, former principal of Rainier Beach High School, and his deep experience leading deal that make Dr. Duane Chappelle the clear choice for this position, and the mayor's office is thrilled to be supporting his reappointment.
And with that, I'll pass it over to Director Chappelle so he can introduce himself before taking your questions.
Thank you, Lori.
I appreciate those nice words as well from you.
So good morning, council members.
My name is Dr. Duane Chappelle, and as council member Rivera and Lori just mentioned, I have had the privilege of serving as Seattle's Director of Education and Early Learning since 2016, and I do mean it's been a privilege.
I'm very much honored to be here seeking confirmation to continue this critical work alongside the Executive Council.
And as you mentioned, you stole a little bit what I was gonna say, Councilmember Rivera, alongside you, whose leadership Was instrumental, as you just mentioned, in the past few levies to help establish the foundation that we're building upon today.
So I stand before you as someone deeply rooted in the community.
As you just heard a moment ago, at Rainier Beach High School, we did achieve what Seattle Times called a stunning surge in graduation rates, which was transforming a school that was once facing closure into one where young people walked across the stage into futures filled with possibilities.
Which is the work that aligns perfectly to what, and I'm looking down here at Councilmember Solomon and Councilmember Hollinsworth, your ongoing commitment to ensuring that there are safe and enriching environments for our young people.
And I could say that over the past nine years, we have accomplished remarkable things together.
We have secured overwhelming voter support for the transformative $619 million FEP levy back in 2018, which expanded, as you all just mentioned, as Laurie and Councilmember just mentioned, access to our award-winning Seattle Preschool program that my own child just graduated from, which now serves more than 2,500 children annually.
A program that exemplifies what Councilmember Rank's commitment to equity by prioritizing historically underserved communities.
As you mentioned a moment ago, Councilmember, during the COVID-19, we did step up with emergency childcare.
We had technology distribution.
We had meal programs and provided mental health support, really, which demonstrated our department's agility and unwavering commitment to equity.
We've launched the Seattle Promise, now serving more than 1,500 students annually with tuition-free college and comprehensive supports.
And I'm just as excited to create pathways that reflect what Councilmember Revere's vision is for ensuring our young youth have access to both higher education and the trades.
So I'm super excited about that.
I'll also share that during my tenure, building authentic relationships has truly been the cornerstone of my leadership.
I have personally visited over 200 partner sites, and I did see one of our partner organizations in the crowd earlier, from preschool, classrooms, all the way to graduation ceremonies because those relationships shape every policy decision that we make.
And there's nothing more powerful than witnessing a shy preschooler blossom into a confident kindergartner or watching a Promise Scholar return as a college graduate ready to give back.
So looking ahead, I'm extremely excited about Mayor Harrell's Every Child Ready initiative and the Feb Levy renewal this November.
And with your support, Councilmember Rivera, We'll expand the preschool access.
I know you noticed, but your commitment to early learning continues to be vital.
We will ensure that every child is ready to start with 600 new preschool seats, ready to learn with expanded mental health services, and ready to launch through our Sustained Promise Program and the Innovative Path to Trades Initiative.
Our vision is powerful, but yet simple.
Every child in Seattle will thrive.
They'll prosper and pursue the future they choose, from prenatal supports to post-secondary pathways.
We're building a citywide promise that no child's future will be determined by their zip code, by their race, or their family income.
And I just want to be clear about something, that accountability to our community is fundamental to this work.
We will measure success transparently using clear outcomes such as kindergarten readiness, school engagement, academic achievement, and college persistence and completion.
And career placement as well.
We will continue to publish our results regularly, consistently lift up our student and family voices in our decision-making, and ensure that our levy dollars are invested where they have the greatest impact.
And this council, our community, they deserve nothing less than full transparency about how we're stewarding these public investments.
So...
The challenges that are facing our young people today, I have to look to see if the young people are still here.
They require bold leadership and proven experience.
And my more than, I know it might not look like it, my more than almost three decades of public service is grounded in authentic, Community relationships and direct engagement with students and families and has prepared me to navigate these complex complexities while maintaining the focus on what matters the most, and that's ensuring every Seattle child has what they need to succeed.
So with your partnership and confirmation, I look forward to continuing this work and ensuring that Seattle remains a national leader in educational equity and opportunity for all.
So together, we can make Seattle a city where every child's potential is realized and every family's dreams are within reach.
So thank you, and I welcome your questions.
Or as Councilmember Rivera said, I look forward to returning to answer.
Thank you.
Thank you, Director Chappell.
And thank you, Lori, for being here from the mayor's office.
And I called you a friend because you are a friend.
We have the privilege and the honor and just I feel very lucky, fortunate to work with you both on the levy and now upcoming on the implementation plan that will come through Council.
Later in early 2026, the thing that I feel the most fortunate about is that we all are so passionate about the kids in this city and making sure that they all have what they need to be successful and access to all The services that the kids need to be successful.
And so that's something that I'm really proud of and something that I so appreciate working with both of you on and your teams.
Because your department, the department that you lead, you lead with commitment and your team members are committed to the work.
So thank you.
Colleagues, as I said earlier, we're going to have formal questions that you're going to be able to submit.
Our office will collect like we do other appointments and then Director Chappelle will have an opportunity to submit written responses.
But today it was an opportunity to really have him reintroduce himself.
And if you have preliminary questions that you'd like to ask, I'd like to open the floor in our comments for you to do that.
Councilmember Salomon.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
You know I'm not going to go easy on you.
I remember when you were the principal at Beach.
How long ago was that that you were at Beach, and how long were you at Beach?
So I started here in 2016. So the class of 2016 was my last graduating class.
OK.
And again, you mentioned how long you've been in the business.
And I think about some of the other principals I've seen at Beach.
I'm thinking about principals like Dr. German.
And note, young people, this is Dr. Director Chappelle.
That means something.
Were you the youngest principal to serve at Beach?
I was at that time, yes.
Okay.
All right.
Another note for young people.
And just out of curiosity, where did you go to high school?
I went to high school at Albany High School in the Bay Area, right in between Berkeley and Richmond, California.
Okay, so you're originally from the Bay Area, but Seattle's been your home for decades.
And the reason I'm asking you these questions is because of the young people we do have in the audience.
You know, looking at the success you've had as an educator, as an administrator, You know, thinking about the road that you traveled, you know, it's like, you know, the thing that we do in Project Mister and Breakfast Group, if they can see it, they can be it.
Again, Dr. Chappelle, right?
And I'm not just, you know, calling them out because we have the same barber.
I mean, this guy and I, Travel the same roads together.
We were at the ribbon cutting for Asa Mercer International School this past Friday.
And it was an honor for me to share the stage with you, to see that school, to see that environment, to cut that ribbon, to welcome the community to that environment.
You know, I've been in many schools, I've talked to many students, have done a lot of security assessments for schools, sometimes because they've had tragic incidents happen.
And I can tell you that that is a beautifully designed school.
So again, a lot of my remarks are just because we've known each other for a while.
And I want the folks who are maybe tuning in and the folks in our audience, especially our young people, to, again, if you can see it, you can be it.
And this is a man that I have an utmost respect for.
And let's vote now, as far as I'm concerned.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Councilmember Salomon.
Councilmember Hollingsworth.
Thank you, Chair Rivera, and I'll have my questions.
I'll submit those to Councilmember Rivera's office.
We say Dr. Director Chappelle, or is it Director Doctor?
It's however you all say it.
Okay, I got you.
I'll be super quick because I'll tell you two things that I really like about you.
Number one, I've never met a person who does not like you.
Everyone always speaks highly about you, number one.
Number two, every time you've come here and given a presentation or you've given a presentation in our office or...
Whatever it is, you always talk about outcomes.
And I think that is so important.
We can talk about how much we've invested in this and how much money we're throwing at that, but you always talk about the outcomes.
And I think that is incredibly important because then you can figure out, okay, is this working?
Is it not?
What are we improving on and whatnot?
And the one thing that's probably the most impressive thing in your resume, which I was reading over, but The graduation rate at Rainier Beach went from 50% to 79%.
That is very impressive in that short period of time to be able to do that.
And that's the one thing that speaks out to me besides the three consecutive basketball championships that Rainier Beach won on the boys' side.
But the commitment to education that you have in kids and youth and community is really inspirational.
And seeing you everywhere from daycares to schools to different programs around Seattle and the passion that you have is something that I think we love to see and the people that lead our departments and continue to lead our city.
So I'll have more questions for you.
I'll submit those to Councilmember Rivera, but really appreciate You reintroducing yourself to the community and making sure people know some of the professional experience that you bring to the table.
Thank you.
Thank you, Councilmember Hollingsworth.
Vice Chair Rankin.
Thank you, Chair.
Dr. Director Chappelle, we need a new word.
You have so much prestige.
We need a new word to just honor and recognize, again, these two really important titles that you hold.
I want to thank you for your service to the city, and I want to thank you for making Seattle a national leader in education, an opportunity for young people.
That meets the world, because I know I sit up here on this dais because of investments in my childhood, just like the ones that Deal is providing every day.
The work of Deal can't be understated when we're talking about closing opportunity gaps because Structural inequities are persisting in our community, and seeing the changes on the federal front, I know I fear that we will lose ground on the progress we have made in closing those opportunity gaps.
And so my one question for you today, just looking ahead.
I'd love to know what question you have for young people right now because our young people are facing so much, whether it be climate, anxiety, the evolving technological front and the introduction of AI into seemingly every aspect of our life, the political front.
What message do you have to young people right now and where do you see opportunity in the direction of the department moving forward?
Yeah, so that's, for one, thank you for saying that, and I appreciate your remarks.
And you said what question, or what's repeated?
What do I have for young people again?
Just a message for young people, and what's exciting you about D.E.A.L. in the future of D.E.A.L.?
Well, I feel like, for me, my message is simple.
That, as I mentioned in my remarks earlier, that here at the City of Seattle, yes, we have a national award-winning preschool program.
Yes, we have this outstanding Seattle Promise program.
But we also have a slew of investments in K-12.
That our young people have access to everything from mentorship, mentoring programs, as Mr. Solomon, Councilmember Solomon was talking about, all the way to mental health therapy supports, even academic tutoring.
But I share those three examples right there to let the message know that our young people, if they see it, they can achieve it.
But more importantly, here in Seattle, they can be anything that they want to be.
I just mentioned a moment ago that Councilmember Rivera has us, and I'm excited about to build out the trades program.
So when a young person graduates from high school, literally, and I'm gonna go back to when I used to be a principal, you sit on that stage and you see all of these young people sitting down.
And when they graduate from high school, they have so many opportunities from stepping into the Seattle Promise, To attending the UW.
And now we're gonna have an opportunity for them to even participate in a trade.
So my message to young folks is that continue to dream.
And whatever your dream is here in Seattle, you will be able to accomplish it because we have the support, we have the The partners from Seattle Public Schools, the Seattle Colleges, our community-based organizations, us, the city, not just Deal, but other departments.
And there's an ecosystem of supports here to make sure that our young people can achieve anything they want.
But it starts with them believing it and dreaming and knowing that they can achieve it.
So that's the message I want to send.
Thank you.
And I'm looking forward to this process of continuing the conversation and Reappointing you to this position.
It has been tremendous to see the direction of the department.
And again, I want to thank you for your service to our city and to our community.
Thank you, council member.
Thank you, Vice Chair Rankin.
Oh, go ahead, Director.
I just want to thank one other, but I'll follow your lead.
I just have one.
Go ahead.
I would like to thank my amazing team at Deal.
They are phenomenal.
I always, I give my other director colleagues a hard time and let them know that Deal, the Department of Education and Early Learning, is the best department in the city.
Because we have amazing individuals.
So I just want to thank them from Dr. Fajardo, Marissa, Jonathan, Chris, all of the amazing individuals, Jim and I, that make the work we have happen and deal a reality without them Things would be a lot more difficult, so I just want to just start there.
But I also want to thank the families and the community-based organizations, the colleges, Seattle Public Schools, all of our partners that are in the good, I would say, the good space that we create for our kids and families.
So I just wanted to just thank them.
I didn't do that in the beginning, and I wanted to really do that, so thank you.
Thank you, Director Chappelle.
Colleagues, any other questions?
All right.
You know, when you do talk to community members and the folks that we get to work with in the childcare preschool space, K through 12 in the Promise space, There isn't a person that I've spoken with that when I bring up your name, they have nothing but glowing things to say about you.
And that feels really good working in my role here and in my prior role in the mayor's office to have community think so greatly about one of our leaders at the city.
So that's just a testament to your hard work, your relationship building, and how Important that is to you.
I've seen it.
I know it.
And I'll say, the last thing I'll say, Duane, and I just call you Duane because we've known each other for so long, and it really, it's a form for me of respect when I can call you by your given name, is that you care so much about the kids, and it shows when you talk to the kids.
And this idea that if you can, you know, dream it, you can be it.
And you've always said that.
And you believe that.
And you want to help kids get there.
And that is something that I really admire and respect about you.
And it's really great to have an hour director of the Department of Education and Early Learning at the City of Seattle.
So I look forward to continuing this process and I look forward to working together on the FEP investments.
And thank you for being here this morning.
Do you have anything else you'd like to say?
No, I just, again, said my thanks to the team.
Thank you to you all, council members, mayor's office.
Again, this couldn't happen without true partnership and collaboration.
And, you know, There's, you know, people know that real work happens.
You can't do this work in isolation, and I'm just looking forward.
I'm just committed, and I'm looking forward to the next step.
So I just want to thank you again for believing and trusting in me, and I look forward to the next iteration of this work.
Thank you.
Thank you, Director Chappelle.
Okay.
Seeing no further questions, colleagues, this concludes the September 11, 2025 meeting of the Library's Education and Neighborhoods Committee.
Due to the budget process, our next committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 11th, 2025 at 9.30 a.m., where we will continue Director Chappelle's reappointment process.
Director Chappelle, thank you for joining us today and engaging with our committee.
Lori, thank you for Baxter.
Thank you for being here as well, representing the mayor's office.
If there is no further business, this meeting will adjourn.
I want to thank the students for being here this morning and staying throughout the whole meeting.
Really enjoyed having you in the audience today.
Hearing no further business, it's 10.34 a.m.
and this meeting is adjourned.
Thank you, colleagues.