Voters rejected Seattle School Boardmember Mary Bass's bid for a third term.

Bass faced an uphill battle to convince voters that after eight quiet and generally lackluster years she could push and bring about substantive policy changes in another term.

With inadequate state funding of education and mounting federal pressure for academic results, every school in Seattle is under pressure But Bass's 5th District faces enormous challenges to improve struggling schools such as Madrona K-8 and broaden access to excellent programs at schools like Washington MIddle School.

The challenge for winner Kay Smith-Blum is to gain a rapid read of the city's most diverse community, understand and prioritize its educational needs and go to work building the kinds of relationships and political support needed to effect change in the schools she represents. The need to build trust and support among political colleagues was something Bass often overlooked. A board member with a good working relationship with colleagues and staffers can often effect change with a phone call. Others see their legislative initiatives voted down time and again.

it will be interesting to see how quickly Betty Patu makes the shift from a longtime school employee with limited perspective and experience to a policy maker. Her answers on issues as different as education funding and alternative schools shows a steep learning curve.

Boardmember Michael DeBell ran unopposed and for him, Election Day, was a cakewalk.