Who's running for Seattle School Board?

A majority of the seven-member Seattle School Board is up for election in November. In the four years since these seats were last up for election, the board has hired a superintendent -- Raj Manhas -- accepted his resignation, and recently hired a new leader, Maria Goodloe-Johnson of South Carolina.

The board also weathered significant controversy last year when it voted to close seven school buildings as one way to help resolve a multi-million-dollar deficit.

In the coming year, the board is expected to look for additional ways to save money, including scaling back yellow-bus service and possibly, the district's school-choice system. Goodloe-Johnson will take charge of the district this summer.

In the Aug. 21 primary, voters in each director district will select two candidates in the primary. The winners go on to an all-city ballot on Nov. 6.

Here's a look at each of the contested districts, with candidates and incumbents.

DISTRICT 1: Northwest Seattle

Attorney Peter Maier was president of the pro-levy campaign Schools First! before resigning to run for School Board.

Incumbent Sally Soriano was elected 2003 with 59 percent of the vote.

DISTRICT 2: North Seattle

Former president of the Seattle Council PTSA Sherry Carr is a manager at Boeing.

Lisa Stuebing, past chairwoman of the 43rd District Democrats, ran for the seat in 2003 and lost in the primary.

Elected in 2003 with 65 percent of the vote, Darlene Flynn announced that was seeking re-election just before the filing deadline.

Patrick Kelley is a manager at United Way of King County.

Also in the race is Courtney Hill, a senior at John Marshall Alternative School.

DISTRICT 3: Northeast Seattle

Harium Martin-Morris, a former PTSA president at Nathan Hale High School, has announced for the position currently held by Brita Butler-Wall. Butler-Wall has announced she won't seek a second term. Read Butler-Wall's statement.

David Blomstrom declared himself a candidate, rallying against the city's media and civic establishment.

DISTRICT 6: West Seattle

Steve Sundquist, a former executive at Russell Investment Group, he retired in 2005 and serves as a trustee for the Washington State University Foundation.

Incumbent Irene Stewart has announced she won't seek re-election.

Danaher Dempsey is a first-year math instructor at West Seattle High School.

Maria Ramirez is a founding member of Campana Quetzal Latino Education Coalition, an advocacy group for Latino students.

Also in the race are Zeinab Ahmed, who wants to represent the Somali community, and Edwin Fruit of the Socialist Workers Party.