Sami West
Online Editor/Reporter
About
Sami West joined KUOW’s web team as an Online Editor/Reporter in 2025.
Before that, she spent over two years covering education at KUOW, reporting extensively on mounting financial challenges in Seattle Public Schools and districts across Washington state. Her coverage also focused on growing concerns about violence in and around schools, teacher shortages, the youth mental health crisis, and the countless ways Covid continues to affect schools and families, among other topics.
Previously, she wrote about education for Chalkbeat in Memphis, Tennessee, and two newspapers in Wisconsin.
A Midwesterner at heart, Sami originally hails from Minnesota and holds degrees in journalism and English from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Languages Spoken: English
Pronouns: she/her
Professional Affiliations: Education Writers Association
Stories
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Timeline set for Seattle school closures. 5 possible schools yet to be named
The Seattle School Board on Wednesday officially solidified the proposal to move ahead with up to five school closures next year, and took the previous option of 21 closures off the table.
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As Seattle considers school closures, superintendent gets new contract and a raise
The Seattle School Board has called a special meeting on Tuesday to vote on a new two-year contract that raises Superintendent Brent Jones' salary about 4%.
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Seattle Schools' proposed closures trimmed from 21 to just 5 schools after backlash
Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones says he has a new plan to address the district's deficit next year — and it includes closing only five schools.
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This school banned cell phones and lunch got louder
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Seattle Public Schools pauses closure meetings
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Seattle Public Schools cancels closure meetings, is revisiting plan
Facing intense community backlash over proposals to shutter as many as 21 schools, the Seattle school district is canceling community meetings scheduled for this week.
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WA's top education official requests additional $3 billion for public schools
Washington's public schools chief is calling on lawmakers to fully fund K-12
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'It's literally a skeleton.' Seattle School Board critiques plan for mass closures
Seattle School Board members are pressing district officials for answers on their new proposals to close up to 21 elementary and K-8 schools by next fall.
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'Don't do this to our kids': Hundreds of Seattle parents rally against school closures
Hundreds of parents flooded the Seattle School Board meeting on Wednesday to speak out against proposed school closures.
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Potential Seattle school closures revealed in new proposal
Seattle families now know which elementary schools will likely be on the chopping block in 2025.