Ben Shuldiner issued a formal address to the Seattle Public Schools (SPS) community this week, marking the district’s observance of Pride Month by explicitly pledging support for LGBTQIA+ students and faculty.
He asserted that excluding or marginalizing these students is not who we are as a district.
The superintendent’s strategy links these social outcomes to the district’s school improvement goals, suggesting that a student who feels seen and connected is more likely to succeed academically.
Shuldiner informed the community that more updates regarding supportive school environments will be released in the coming months.
By stating that the district stands proudly with its LGBTQIA+ community, Shuldiner is setting an institutional standard that complicates any future attempts to rollback inclusive policies.
Superintendent Dr. Ben Shuldiner issues a formal letter to Seattle Public Schools families pledging safety and visibility for LGBTQIA+ students.