Election: Kennewick School Board Candidates Answer Your Questions
Kennewick School Board Elections: Key Issues and Candidate Positions
The Kennewick School Board is set to have two competitive races on the November 4 ballot. While District No. 2 candidate Nicolas Uhnak has withdrawn from the race, his name will still appear on the ballot. Candidates were asked to answer the same questions as their opponents or respond to a question relevant to a specific position an incumbent has taken.
Director No. 1
Micah Valentine
Frequently Asked Questions
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Kennewick is incredibly reliant on federal dollars for migrant education, teacher training and academic enrichment. As Congress eyes cuts to public school programs, how should the Kennewick School Board respond?
Kennewick absolutely relies on both federal and state funding especially for migrant education, teacher training, and enrichment programs. That’s why we need strong leaders who understand the landscape and have real relationships with lawmakers.
I’ve worked to preserve essential services through strategic budgeting, community partnerships and direct advocacy for funding that drives real outcomes.
Under my leadership, Kennewick has achieved the highest financial score in Washington State. I’ve led refinancing efforts that saved taxpayers millions and I’ve helped ensure that every dollar is stretched to serve every child. Fiscal discipline/responsibility isn’t just a talking point, it’s a promise that we have delivered on. -
How will you work with lawmakers to increase investments in Washington public schools?
I believe in direct, results-driven advocacy. I’ve earned endorsements from nearly every local legislator because they’ve seen the success we’ve achieved in Kennewick, especially compared to neighboring districts. These relationships aren’t just political—they’re built on trust, performance and shared goals.
Beyond our region, I’ve built strong connections with board members across the state and helped form a conservative caucus focused on academic excellence and fiscal responsibility. I’m interested in outcomes, not bureaucracy. That means working with everyone (regardless of party) to show how excellence in education lifts communities and to push for funding that goes directly into classrooms. -
Do you support the district’s inclusion of school safety officers in elementary schools? Why or why not?
I unequivocally support resource officers in our school for many reasons. I helped lead the implementation of this program and it has become one of the most supported initiatives in our community. Our first responsibility is to protect our kids and the most vulnerable among us.
These officers are not just guards, they are mentors, protectors, and part of the school family. I believe in proactive safety: building relationships, preventing incidents, and ensuring every child feels safe walking through our doors. This is not fear-based, it’s love-based. We protect what we value, and we value our kids. -
The Kennewick School Board has been one of the most vocal challengers of Washington’s laws on transgender students and athletes. How do you view Title IX protections, and should these students be able participate in sports and use restrooms that align with their gender identity?
Title IX was designed to protect fairness and opportunity. When it comes to transgender students, we must balance compassion with clarity and honesty. But I also ask, why aren’t we talking about the rights of women? Their body, their choice. Are they choosing to share a locker room with biological males or is that being forced upon them?
Title IX is about a woman’s right to compete against other biological women. So, I ask three questions: Is it safe on the field for women playing with biological men? Is it fair for biological women to lose opportunities to biological men? And are we okay with the potential for exposure in locker rooms (9th grade girl with a senior biological male)?
One state championship (like in Washington state single A track 2024 & 2025) can bump hundreds of girls off the podium as their school teams slipped from 1st to 2nd, and 2nd to 3rd, and so on.
There is no perfect answer, but I have proposed a solution: two divisions; 1. Open for all & 2. Women’s. I believe this brings us closest to a respectful and workable path that every individual can live with. -
How will you work with the superintendent to improve standardized test scores and student outcomes?
A better question might be, how can we continue working with our new superintendent. We hired him and have an extremely close working relationship with him (he is brilliant by the way). Standardized tests are one measure, but not the only one.
I will continue to work with the superintendent to improve outcomes by looking into the classrooms and monitoring every aspect of the students, teachers, principals up to the superintendent and board.
I believe in excellence in everything, and that means pushing every student to reach their full potential. We will track progress, adjust strategies and stay relentlessly focused on results.
Micah Valentine is the incumbent. He is a business owner and current board vice-president.
Robert Franklin
Frequently Asked Questions
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Kennewick is incredibly reliant on federal dollars for migrant education, teacher training and academic enrichment. As Congress eyes cuts to public school programs, how should the Kennewick School Board respond?
School funding comes from the state, federal government, and local voter-approved bonds and levies. The school board doesn’t control how much money comes in – only how it’s spent. Taxpayers deserve accountability and students deserve results. The biggest factor in learning is the classroom teacher, yet we’ve seen overcrowded classrooms and cuts to mental health support while surplus funds sit unused.
Saving for emergencies matters, but ignoring today’s student needs isn’t responsible – and dragging culture wars into schools risks funding and distracts from education. If elected, I’ll take budget oversight seriously: cut waste like lawsuits and unnecessary administrative costs, question bonuses that don’t improve student outcomes, and reallocate funds toward safer schools, stronger mental health, and improvements to teaching and learning. I’ll also ensure reserves earn fair returns. Fiscal responsibility isn’t about politics – it’s about putting students first and using tax dollars wisely. -
How will you work with lawmakers to increase investments in Washington public schools?
The current Board boasts about “pushing back against Olympia,” but offers little on how hostility toward the state helps Kennewick schools. While some in our community view Olympia with suspicion, the state is our partner in governance and our primary funding source. Partnership doesn’t mean always agreeing – it means working together to find common ground.
It’s time to drop the politics of hostility, build consensus on our legislative priorities, and collaborate with leaders from both parties to do what’s best for KSD. My priorities include increasing funding for school safety, special education, student mental health, and expanded vocational and professional programs. These goals don’t require higher taxes – just reminding legislators that education is the state’s paramount constitutional duty. I’ll also advocate for policies that put learning first: every student deserves the support needed to succeed. -
Do you support the district’s inclusion of school safety officers in elementary schools? Why or why not?
Recent events have shown that Kennewick schools must approach safety proactively, not reactively. Thanks to vigilant citizens and law enforcement, a potential tragedy was prevented – but communication fell short. Staff and parents shouldn’t learn critical details from the media. KSD must provide timely, transparent updates so families know they can depend on the district in a crisis.
Research shows the best way to prevent school violence is to build a culture where every student feels safe, known, and valued – and has a trusted adult to turn to. Prevention starts before threats reach the door, through stronger mental health supports, community services, and well-trained SROs.
I’m alarmed by rising school violence. If elected, I’ll ensure safety personnel are properly vetted and communication between the district, parents, staff, and law enforcement are transparent and efficient. We must use our resources coordinated resources to keep our children safe. -
The Kennewick School Board has been one of the most vocal challengers of Washington’s laws on transgender students and athletes. How do you view Title IX protections, and should these students be able participate in sports and use restrooms that align with their gender identity?
Washington has 295 school districts, all governed in athletics by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). If each district made its own eligibility and participation rules, it would be chaotic and unfair. School boards don’t set those rules – state law and WIAA do. By stepping outside its authority to score political points, the Kennewick board has risked state and federal funding and created a costly controversy that harms students.
My opponent admits there may be only one transgender athlete in Kennewick, with zero injuries, records broken, scholarships lost, or locker room incidents. This is a manufactured issue, not a real problem. Every student deserves a safe and welcoming environment. Publicly targeting transgender students – such as calling them “satanic” – is morally wrong and makes all students less safe by fueling bullying and division.
If you care about girls’ sports, support your local teams. Address your concerns about eligibility with the WIAA. -
How will you work with the superintendent to improve standardized test scores and student outcomes?
Improving academic outcomes is the school board’s core duty under RCW 28A, yet Kennewick’s test scores have stalled. That’s evidence the board’s political distractions are coming at the expense of student learning. We must support teachers and administrators with time, funding, and critical resources like mental health and special education services. Every spending decision should ask, “How does this improve teaching and learning?” The board’s own $401,000 budget deserves the same scrutiny – if we can cut board travel or legal fees to hire more teachers, I’ll vote to do it.
Research shows students learn better when academic content is supported in their home language until English proficiency, yet current leaders have disrespected bilingual educators and students, blaming low test scores on immigrants. I’ll work to expand services for all learners, close equity gaps, strengthen career pathways, and rebuild a culture where students see school as the place to achieve their dreams.
Robert Franklin is an Assistant Professor of History at WSU Tri-Cities.
Director No. 2
Gabe Galbraith
Frequently Asked Questions
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Kennewick is incredibly reliant on federal dollars for migrant education, teacher training and academic enrichment. As Congress eyes cuts to public school programs, how should the Kennewick School Board respond?
If Congress moves to cut federal funding, the Kennewick School Board must respond by advocating strongly for the continued investment in programs that directly serve our students. This must be done strategically and with long term thinking. These funds are not extras; they are essential to leveling the playing field and ensuring every student has access to opportunity.
At the same time we need to work closely with state lawmakers, community partners, and other districts to explore alternative funding sources and strengthen our voice at both the state and federal level. Most importantly we must continue to prioritize resources in a way that protects classrooms, supports teachers, and keeps student success at the center of every decision. -
How will you work with lawmakers to increase investments in Washington public schools?
I will continue to work with our local lawmakers by advocating directly for the needs of our students and staff, and ensuring they understand both the successes and challenges we face in Kennewick. That means continually building relationships with legislators, testifying as needed, and consistently sharing data and real stories from our classrooms. This is something we currently do prior to legislative sessions while providing data in real time during their session.
I have also built relationships and collaborate with many school board directors across the state through the Washington State School Directors’ Association, so we can speak with a unified voice when asking for sustainable funding. Most importantly I will continue to advocate for what matters most, which is making sure every investment truly supports student learning, safety, and well-being. -
Do you support the district’s inclusion of school safety officers in elementary schools? Why or why not?
Yes, I absolutely support it. As the board member who helped create this program, I believe it’s a critical part of living out KSD’s values of keeping students and staff “safe, known, and valued.” The program has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, staff, and our community, and other districts across the state are working to build similar programs.
These officers not only deter potential incidents and respond quickly when needed, but – most importantly – they build positive relationships with students, giving them another trusted adult in the school building. I’m grateful for the strong community support and for our outstanding partnership with the Kennewick Police Department. -
The Kennewick School Board has been one of the most vocal challengers of Washington’s laws on transgender students and athletes. How do you view Title IX protections, and should these students be able participate in sports and use restrooms that align with their gender identity?
Title IX was designed to protect fairness in education and athletics, particularly for girls and women. I absolutely believe every student deserves respect and support at school. However, I do not agree with boys participating in girls’ sports or using girls’ restrooms. This undermines both fairness in competition and privacy in our schools.
As a board member, I will continue to stand up for policies that protect student safety, ensure fairness for girls, and reflect the values of our community – while still treating every student with dignity. -
How will you work with the superintendent to improve standardized test scores and student outcomes?
I will continue to work with the superintendent by setting clear, measurable goals for improving student outcomes with a strong focus on accountability and transparency. Together, we need to regularly review assessment data but also classroom performance, graduation rates, and growth measures – to identify both successes and areas where students are falling behind.
I will continue to look at investing in high-quality curriculum, effective teacher training, and targeted interventions for students who need extra support. At the same time, it’s important to challenge advanced learners so every student is growing, not just meeting minimum standards.
By combining strong instruction, engaged families, and clear accountability, we can ensure that every student not only performs better on standardized tests but also develops the skills and confidence they need for lifelong success.
Gabe Galbraith is the incumbent. He is a security specialist at the Hanford site and the current board president.
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