December 5, 2024

Pacifica Successfully Defends Seattle School District No. 1’s School Board President from Recall Attempt

Pacifica recently helped Seattle Public Schools Board President Liza Rankin defeat a recall attempt initiated by a group of petitioners unhappy with District leadership and a recent proposal to consider closing schools. The parents had filed a recall petition with the King County Elections Office accusing Rankin of misfeasance, malfeasance, and violations of her oath of office.

At a hearing on December 2nd, King County Superior Court Judge Michael Scott dismissed the parents’ recall petition, saying it lacked “legal and factual sufficiency” to proceed because the evidence they presented did not meet the required standards for recall. The judge emphasized that nothing presented by the petitioners supported an abuse of office by Director Rankin.

A Pacifica team led by Sarah Mack, a Partner in Pacifica’s School Districts Practice Group, and including Associate Rachel Simon, represented Director Rankin in the proceedings. Mack successfully argued that there was no cause to recall Rankin, and that the petitioners’ complaints amounted to disagreements with Director Rankin’s lawful discretionary decisions.

Rankin was first elected to serve on the Seattle Public Schools board of directors in 2019, and was reelected in 2023.

Follow this link to learn more about Pacifica’s School Districts practice.