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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: 2023-11-02Jessica Aws
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.
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.
Jessica Aws
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.
Nikki Tesch
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.