OAK HARBOR SCHOOL DISTRICT: OHPS Poised to Receive Approx $130 Million in State and Federal Funding (OHSD)

The Oak Harbor School District posted this item in the news section of their website on Apr. 25, 2023.

With the closure of the 2023 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature approved the state’s capital construction budget, which included nearly $30 million to rebuild Crescent Harbor Elementary School and HomeConnection/Hand-in-Hand Early Learning Center/Oak Harbor Virtual Academy. If the governor signs off on the budget, the state’s strong investment in Oak Harbor Public Schools will provide access to available Department of Defense matching dollars, totaling approximately $130 million in state and federal funding.

“Through the continued advocacy of legislators Senator Ron Muzzall, Representative Dave Paul, Representative Clyde Shavers, district administrators, and community members, we’ve secured a record amount of funding to support Oak Harbor students by providing them with a modern school building to accommodate their unique needs,” said Superintendent Michelle Kuss-Cybula, “This critical funding will set our students up for success now and in the future.”

“The funding of these two schools provides our community with a monumental opportunity to rebuild two aging schools, enhance safety and address critical needs for the students and staff in these buildings,” said Board President Lynn Goebel, “There will never be another opportunity to leverage this amount of funding from the federal and state governments and it is due to the consistent and unified advocacy of our legislators, district leadership and community as #OneOakHarbor.”

The state funding comes from a grant submitted by Oak Harbor Public Schools through the State of Washington for the Defense Community Compatibility Account (DCCA). With the two schools on military installations and the available matching dollars from the Department of Defense, the schools were eligible for the grant funding, which totaled close to $30 million. The funding was supported through legislative Bill HB 5324, which local legislators and district administrators advocated strongly for over the past few months. 

“Working with my colleagues across the aisle and in the state House, this needed investment for our children’s education is closer to becoming reality,” said Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor in a recent news release. “I’m absolutely thrilled that these resources will be available for our community and that the fifth generation of the Muzzall family will get a strong public education in these new facilities.” 

“Our community needs to understand that this grant match funding is a once in a lifetime opportunity. While I believe this funding is a step in the right direction, it does not solve the long-term facility improvement needs of our other schools, which means we still have work to do.” said Kuss-Cybula, “I know that once our community sees the tremendous impact these two new schools have on our students and families, they will understand the sense of urgency on addressing the pressing needs of our other school buildings.” 

If the funding is approved by Governor Jay Inslee, district administrators will meet with state and federal personnel to determine next steps and timeline. More information will be shared with the community when details are finalized. 

OAK HARBOR SCHOOL DISTRICT (NO. 201)

Directors: Three of the five director positions are scheduled to be on the ballot. In addition, due to resignations, the other two positions will also be on the ballot. Position 1: Lynn Goebel Director Goebel filed for re-election. Position 2: Jessica Aws Director Aws filed for re-election; Karen Lesetmoe also filed for this position. Position 3: Robert J. Hallahan Director Hallahan did not file for re-election. Fred Wilmot and Josh MacLean filed for this position. Position 4: Nicole Tesch. Director Tesch was appointed in May 2022 after the resignation of John Diamond. The position will be on the ballot in 2023 to fill the remainder of Diamond’s term, which expires on Dec. 31, 2025. Director Tesch filed to retain her seat; she will be opposed by Jessica Thompson Position 5: Sharon Jensen Director Jensen was appointed in Jan. 2023 after the resignation of Erik Mann. The position will be on the ballot in 2023 to fill the remainder of Mann’s term, which expires on Dec. 31, 2025. Director Jensen filed to retain her seat; she will be opposed by Will Smith and Aisha Mayfield.

OAK HARBOR SCHOOL DISTRICT (NO. 201)

Directors: Three of the five director positions are scheduled to be on the ballot. In addition, due to resignations, the other two positions will also be on the ballot. Position 1: Lynn Goebel Director Goebel filed for re-election. Position 2: Jessica Aws Director Aws filed for re-election; Karen Lesetmoe also filed for this position. Position 3: Robert J. Hallahan Director Hallahan did not file for re-election. Fred Wilmot and Josh MacLean filed for this position. Position 4: Nicole Tesch. Director Tesch was appointed in May 2022 after the resignation of John Diamond. The position will be on the ballot in 2023 to fill the remainder of Diamond’s term, which expires on Dec. 31, 2025. Director Tesch filed to retain her seat; she will be opposed by Jessica Thompson Position 5: Sharon Jensen Director Jensen was appointed in Jan. 2023 after the resignation of Erik Mann. The position will be on the ballot in 2023 to fill the remainder of Mann’s term, which expires on Dec. 31, 2025. Director Jensen filed to retain her seat; she will be opposed by Will Smith and Aisha Mayfield.