WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: School board races offer stark differences

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 Uemoto have stated that “public education is drifting away from fundamental skills and knowledge to politicized indoctrination, as well as disregarding parents voices.”

Diamond and Mann each feel their competitors would block some of the work the school district is trying to accomplish in selecting a new superintendent and in getting a bond passed to build new schools. Mann said “Picking a superintendent, getting the bond passed to make sure our grandkids can go to good schools – I think those far outweigh a couple of distractions from conservative media about personal freedom and masking.”

For much more concerning the candidates positions, see the story by Emily Gilbert.

On the Ballot on November 2 – Oak Harbor School Board:

• Position 4 – Incumbent John Diamond vs Jessica Thompson  
• Position 5 – Incumbent Erik Mann vs Jason Uemoto