Editorial: Attack ads an undeserved slander of school official

By The Herald Editorial Board

The numbers at first glance would appear to defy plausibility; as would the target and the intent.

Yet, a Mill Creek family within the Everett Public School district, has amassed a political action war chest of nearly $500,000 aimed at races for the district’s school board. As recently reported by The Herald’s Will Geschke, James and Shelly Lee have contributed $488,691 to their Committee for Educational Integrity for Everett Public Schools Board, according to reports with the state’s Public Disclosure Commission. Funds have been split among all five school board positions; the three current races for the school board and two more races coming in 2027.

The amount appears to be a record for potential political advertising for campaigns for seats on the Everett school board. Less than $30,000 was spent by a school board candidate in 2023, with others in recent years raising and spending between $3,000 and $10,000 for their campaigns, according to PDC reports.

Even fundraising and spending for Everett’s mayoral race pales next to the potential spending for the Lees’ school board campaigns. Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, to date, has raised nearly $197,000 for her reelection campaign, while challenger and former city council member Scott Murphy has raised nearly $173,000.

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/editorial-attack-ads-an-undeserved-slander-of-school-official/