SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD: South End school board candidates talk priorities
South Whidbey school board candidates Farrah Manning Davis and Dawn Tarantino shared their vision for the district at a private luncheon on Friday. …the two candidates focused their remarks primarily on such issues as academic quality, facility maintenance and the availability of trade-oriented electives.
For all the details, see the story by Karina Andrew in the South Whidbey Record.
They Said It
Farrah Manning Davis: She identified her primary concern, and the issue she would make her highest priority if elected, as the condition of the school buildings and campus facilities. “It is disturbing that this is where our kids go to school,” Manning Davis said, later wondering why the school hasn’t dedicated more funds to building repair and maintenance.
Dawn Tarantino: Tarantino… specifically lamented the loss of shop and keyboarding classes.
The candidates touched briefly on critical race theory… “I don’t believe critical race theory has a place in our schools,” Tarantino said, saying the heavy politicization of the topic causes it to detract from students’ education rather than contribute to it. Manning Davis took a similar stance, saying she and many others feel the theory incites more division than it heals. “If they want to offer it as a class, as an elective, go for it, but it should not be a mandated class,” she said.
On the ballot in November 2021 – South Whidbey School Board:
- Position 2 – Incumbent Andrea Downs vs Dawn Tarantino
- Position 4 – Incumbent Marnie Jackson vs Farrah Manning Davis
- Position 5 – Incumbent Ann Johnson vs Bree Kramer-Nelson
