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Welcome to Fuse Progressive Voters Guide to the 2023 Washington general election! The Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Please share this guide with your friends and family and remember to return your ballot by November 7!
Oak Harbor School Board
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below school district races on your ballot.
Six-year incumbent Jessica Aws is running to retain her seat in Position 2 on the Oak Harbor School Board. During her career as a public librarian and prison librarian, Aws saw how strong schools have the power to affect our communities. She now works with the Oak Harbor Youth Coalition, where she coordinates substance use prevention efforts. She also serves on the board of the Whidbey Island Conservation District, and is the vice president of the current school board. Aws holds master's degrees in both medieval archaeology and library and information sciences.
During her time on the board, Aws was challenged by overcrowded schools where students filled over 40 portables. Although voters failed to pass the needed levy, the board was able to secure federal funding to build two additional elementary schools. If re-elected, Aws would prioritize building these schools within the limited budget, and would educate the community on why we need levy funds to repair our aging schools.
She also wants to focus on mental health supports, substance abuse prevention, and improving test scores that have declined since the pandemic. She additionally advocated to include an additional student representative on the board, and wants to find even more ways to include the student voice in decision-making.
Aws is being challenged by realtor Karen Lesetmoe, who ran for Washington state's House in 2022 as a Republican. Despite running to represent public schools, Lesetmoe's children attend a private, Christian school. Though she has not published a website or platform for her school board run, her 2022 campaign emphasized her opposition to climate regulations, abortion, and police accountability. She stated her belief in more "parental involvement" and "transparency around school curriculum," phrases conservatives often use to defend book bans, limiting comprehensive sex education, and other harmful policies.
Oak Harbor has dealt with several controversies as of late, like certain community members' push to allow counselors to out trans students to their parents, and one school principal's veto of a school play about the death of gay college student Matthew Shepherd. Aws has managed to maintain nonpartisanship in all these contentious moments, and has tabled the gender policy change for the moment. Lesetmoe, on the other hand, has posted anti-trans posts on social media, and vocally opposed the state bill protecting kids who are seeking gender-affirming or reproductive care. Electing her would create dangerous outcomes for our LGBTQ+ students.
Aws has the experience, education, and progressive support that the Oak Harbor School Board needs - she deserves your vote to maintain her seat in Position 2.
Last updated: 2023-11-02
Six-year incumbent Jessica Aws is running to retain her seat in Position 2 on the Oak Harbor School Board. During her career as a public librarian and prison librarian, Aws saw how strong schools have the power to affect our communities. She now works with the Oak Harbor Youth Coalition, where she coordinates substance use prevention efforts. She also serves on the board of the Whidbey Island Conservation District, and is the vice president of the current school board. Aws holds master's degrees in both medieval archaeology and library and information sciences.
During her time on the board, Aws was challenged by overcrowded schools where students filled over 40 portables. Although voters failed to pass the needed levy, the board was able to secure federal funding to build two additional elementary schools. If re-elected, Aws would prioritize building these schools within the limited budget, and would educate the community on why we need levy funds to repair our aging schools.
She also wants to focus on mental health supports, substance abuse prevention, and improving test scores that have declined since the pandemic. She additionally advocated to include an additional student representative on the board, and wants to find even more ways to include the student voice in decision-making.
Aws is being challenged by realtor Karen Lesetmoe, who ran for Washington state's House in 2022 as a Republican. Despite running to represent public schools, Lesetmoe's children attend a private, Christian school. Though she has not published a website or platform for her school board run, her 2022 campaign emphasized her opposition to climate regulations, abortion, and police accountability. She stated her belief in more "parental involvement" and "transparency around school curriculum," phrases conservatives often use to defend book bans, limiting comprehensive sex education, and other harmful policies.
Oak Harbor has dealt with several controversies as of late, like certain community members' push to allow counselors to out trans students to their parents, and one school principal's veto of a school play about the death of gay college student Matthew Shepherd. Aws has managed to maintain nonpartisanship in all these contentious moments, and has tabled the gender policy change for the moment. Lesetmoe, on the other hand, has posted anti-trans posts on social media, and vocally opposed the state bill protecting kids who are seeking gender-affirming or reproductive care. Electing her would create dangerous outcomes for our LGBTQ+ students.
Aws has the experience, education, and progressive support that the Oak Harbor School Board needs - she deserves your vote to maintain her seat in Position 2.
Last updated: 2023-11-02
Six-year incumbent Jessica Aws is running to retain her seat in Position 2 on the Oak Harbor School Board. During her career as a public librarian and prison librarian, Aws saw how strong schools have the power to affect our communities. She now works with the Oak Harbor Youth Coalition, where she coordinates substance use prevention efforts. She also serves on the board of the Whidbey Island Conservation District, and is the vice president of the current school board. Aws holds master's degrees in both medieval archaeology and library and information sciences.
During her time on the board, Aws was challenged by overcrowded schools where students filled over 40 portables. Although voters failed to pass the needed levy, the board was able to secure federal funding to build two additional elementary schools. If re-elected, Aws would prioritize building these schools within the limited budget, and would educate the community on why we need levy funds to repair our aging schools.
She also wants to focus on mental health supports, substance abuse prevention, and improving test scores that have declined since the pandemic. She additionally advocated to include an additional student representative on the board, and wants to find even more ways to include the student voice in decision-making.
Aws is being challenged by realtor Karen Lesetmoe, who ran for Washington state's House in 2022 as a Republican. Despite running to represent public schools, Lesetmoe's children attend a private, Christian school. Though she has not published a website or platform for her school board run, her 2022 campaign emphasized her opposition to climate regulations, abortion, and police accountability. She stated her belief in more "parental involvement" and "transparency around school curriculum," phrases conservatives often use to defend book bans, limiting comprehensive sex education, and other harmful policies.
Oak Harbor has dealt with several controversies as of late, like certain community members' push to allow counselors to out trans students to their parents, and one school principal's veto of a school play about the death of gay college student Matthew Shepherd. Aws has managed to maintain nonpartisanship in all these contentious moments, and has tabled the gender policy change for the moment. Lesetmoe, on the other hand, has posted anti-trans posts on social media, and vocally opposed the state bill protecting kids who are seeking gender-affirming or reproductive care. Electing her would create dangerous outcomes for our LGBTQ+ students.
Aws has the experience, education, and progressive support that the Oak Harbor School Board needs - she deserves your vote to maintain her seat in Position 2.
Last updated: 2023-11-02
Nicole Tesch is running to keep her seat on the Oak Harbor School Board, Position 4. Tesch has served on the board since she was appointed in 2022, and was recently hired as an assistant and communications coordinator with the Anacortes superintendent's office. She has an extensive background as a project manager and executive assistant in both the corporate world and the public sector. She has held positions with the cities of Oak Harbor and Anacortes, as well as Island County.
Tesch also was formerly the co-chair of Citizens for Better Schools, where she successfully campaigned for the 2021 levy that funded student programs, counselors, nurses, and librarians. As the legislative representative on the board, she has advocated for inclusionary practices and reforms to the ways we fund our schools. And after voters failed to pass a bond for school buildings, she wrote grant applications that secured nearly $30 million in federal dollars to fund an elementary school and early learning center. Tesch's skills as an advocate and grant manager will be instrumental as Oak Harbor decides how to fully fund education in future years.
If re-elected, Tesch would also focus on supporting the Running Start program, incorporating social and emotional learning, and creating an inclusive and supportive environment for kids and educators.
Tesch is being challenged by Jessica Thompson, who unsuccessfully sought election and appointment to the school board in recent years. Thompson is the state committeewoman for the Island County Republicans, and works as an operations manager at a cryptocurrency company. Like most conservative candidates, she has vocally opposed honest education about race and LGBTQ+ issues, fully funding repairs to our aging school buildings, and switching towards cleaner fuels in school vehicles and kitchens. She also was part of the crew of anti-maskers that disrupted school board meetings during the height of the pandemic, forcing them to return to virtual meetings. Unlike Tesch, who attended Oak Harbor High School and has five children in the school system she represents, Thompson has chosen to homeschool her kids.
Nicole Tesch is clearly the best choice in this race for Oak Harbor School Board, Position 4.
Last updated: 2023-10-27
Nicole Tesch is running to keep her seat on the Oak Harbor School Board, Position 4. Tesch has served on the board since she was appointed in 2022, and was recently hired as an assistant and communications coordinator with the Anacortes superintendent's office. She has an extensive background as a project manager and executive assistant in both the corporate world and the public sector. She has held positions with the cities of Oak Harbor and Anacortes, as well as Island County.
Tesch also was formerly the co-chair of Citizens for Better Schools, where she successfully campaigned for the 2021 levy that funded student programs, counselors, nurses, and librarians. As the legislative representative on the board, she has advocated for inclusionary practices and reforms to the ways we fund our schools. And after voters failed to pass a bond for school buildings, she wrote grant applications that secured nearly $30 million in federal dollars to fund an elementary school and early learning center. Tesch's skills as an advocate and grant manager will be instrumental as Oak Harbor decides how to fully fund education in future years.
If re-elected, Tesch would also focus on supporting the Running Start program, incorporating social and emotional learning, and creating an inclusive and supportive environment for kids and educators.
Tesch is being challenged by Jessica Thompson, who unsuccessfully sought election and appointment to the school board in recent years. Thompson is the state committeewoman for the Island County Republicans, and works as an operations manager at a cryptocurrency company. Like most conservative candidates, she has vocally opposed honest education about race and LGBTQ+ issues, fully funding repairs to our aging school buildings, and switching towards cleaner fuels in school vehicles and kitchens. She also was part of the crew of anti-maskers that disrupted school board meetings during the height of the pandemic, forcing them to return to virtual meetings. Unlike Tesch, who attended Oak Harbor High School and has five children in the school system she represents, Thompson has chosen to homeschool her kids.
Nicole Tesch is clearly the best choice in this race for Oak Harbor School Board, Position 4.
Last updated: 2023-10-27
Nicole Tesch is running to keep her seat on the Oak Harbor School Board, Position 4. Tesch has served on the board since she was appointed in 2022, and was recently hired as an assistant and communications coordinator with the Anacortes superintendent's office. She has an extensive background as a project manager and executive assistant in both the corporate world and the public sector. She has held positions with the cities of Oak Harbor and Anacortes, as well as Island County.
Tesch also was formerly the co-chair of Citizens for Better Schools, where she successfully campaigned for the 2021 levy that funded student programs, counselors, nurses, and librarians. As the legislative representative on the board, she has advocated for inclusionary practices and reforms to the ways we fund our schools. And after voters failed to pass a bond for school buildings, she wrote grant applications that secured nearly $30 million in federal dollars to fund an elementary school and early learning center. Tesch's skills as an advocate and grant manager will be instrumental as Oak Harbor decides how to fully fund education in future years.
If re-elected, Tesch would also focus on supporting the Running Start program, incorporating social and emotional learning, and creating an inclusive and supportive environment for kids and educators.
Tesch is being challenged by Jessica Thompson, who unsuccessfully sought election and appointment to the school board in recent years. Thompson is the state committeewoman for the Island County Republicans, and works as an operations manager at a cryptocurrency company. Like most conservative candidates, she has vocally opposed honest education about race and LGBTQ+ issues, fully funding repairs to our aging school buildings, and switching towards cleaner fuels in school vehicles and kitchens. She also was part of the crew of anti-maskers that disrupted school board meetings during the height of the pandemic, forcing them to return to virtual meetings. Unlike Tesch, who attended Oak Harbor High School and has five children in the school system she represents, Thompson has chosen to homeschool her kids.
Nicole Tesch is clearly the best choice in this race for Oak Harbor School Board, Position 4.
Last updated: 2023-10-27