ISLAND COUNTY: Commissioner St. Clair responds to Springwood Forest School parent concerns (SCN)

Isabella Loy reports on a dispute between Island County and a preschool for the Stanwood Camano News.

Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair held a town hall meeting Thursday, Jan. 25, to share information about the county’s comprehensive plan. However, much of the meeting was taken over by questions about Springwood Forest School.

Several parents, grandparents and concerned community members came to the town hall looking for answers.

Many were concerned about the behavior allegedly displayed by Four Springs Park Manager Jim McDavid.

McDavid is a county employee and lives on the property, according to Springwood officials and parents.

They Said It

St. Clair said she could not comment on McDavid’s behavior.

“I will not go into the personnel investigation,” she said.

She did, however, say that the county did not handle the situation in the best way.

“It was not handled well,” St. Clair said. “We did not allow enough time. And I’m concerned that we do better in the future.”

St. Clair said in the meeting that she is still waiting to hear back from Heather White about relocating to the proposed new property near Elger Bay.

Heather White, however, said the message that St. Clair is waiting to hear back from them is false, and Springwood has been clear from the beginning that relocating to Elger Bay is not a solution.

“Elger Bay is a conservation area,” Heather White said in an interview with the SC News on Monday. “We’ve let Public Works and Janet St. Clair know that it’s not a viable option.”