South Whidbey School Director Ann Johnson is being challenged for the position by Bree Kramer-Nelson. Johnson was appointed to the position just over a year ago and believes the value she adds to the board is her student-centered approach to the work. She said “though schools are limited in their...
South Whidbey School Board member Andrea Downs is being challenged for her position by Dawn Tarantino. Downs wrote the school district’s equity policy in which she says that “causing students of all identities and in all life circumstances to feel seen, heard and validated is at the center of the...
The League of Women Voters Whildbey Island (LWVWI) hosted a forum for candidates in South Whidbey from 6:30 to 8:30 PM on Thursday, October 7, 2021. The forum consisted of three segments: South Whidbey Fire/EMS Commissioners, Langley City Council members, and South Whidbey School District Directors. In each segment, candidates...
Someone stole yard signs for South Whidbey school board incumbents Marnie Jackson, Andrea Downs and Ann Johnson and took them to the school grounds where they were arranged to spell the letters “F U.” Jackson filed a police report and removed the signs from the school property. “We are shocked...
Oak Harbor School Board members John Diamond and Erik Mann are facing candidates Jessica Thompson and Jason Uemoto in the race for their seats in November. Both Thompson and Uemoto have been very outspoken about their opposition to the school district’s masking mandates and their virtual meetings. Both Thompson and...
Emily Gilbert reports that the Oak Harbor school board is approaching a consensus on a $183.6 million bond proposal for voter approval in Feb. 2022. The proceeds would be used to replace three elementary school buildings (Crescent Harbor, Oak Harbor, and Olympic View), the Hand-in-Hand/Home Connection Early Learning Center and...
Island County Public Hospital District No. 1, better known as WhidbeyHealth, is proposing an increase in their levy rate from $0.078 to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. The proposition will appear on the ballot in this November’s election. The district, which has struggled financially particularly since the beginning of...
Coupeville schools Superintendent Steve King announced that Coupeville school board President Kathleen Anderson passed away on September 22. King said that Ms. Anderson was a woman of great integrity and grace who loved kids more than anyone else he has ever known. For more details, see the story by Karina...
