News Briefs | December 26 edition | Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

New school board member

Vashon Island School Board members have appointed Jessica Adams to fill the seat of Kaycie Alanis, who resigned from the board on Nov. 15.

The decision was made at a Dec. 17 meeting, after the board interviewed both Adams and another applicant, Hargobind Khurana, a physician and parent of students at McMurray and Chautauqua Elementary School.

Adams will bring more than 15 years of professional experience in finance and risk management to her role as a school board member. She and her husband moved to the island in July of 2019 with their now six-year-old twins, who currently attend Family Link. She has been an active member of Vashon’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), a group formed to build community, empower families, and advocate for students with disabilities and other learning needs in the Vashon school district.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to work with the school board and make a positive impact for our children and the incredible teams that help shape their future,” Adams said, following her appointment.

Park District passes budget

The Vashon Park District passed its 2025 budget the evening of Dec. 10, sketching out plans to hire an engineer for planned work at the community pool and other projects.

An expanded story on the Park District will appear in a future edition.

VHCD inks superintendent contract

The Vashon Health Care District board on Dec. 18 approved a contract with Superintendent Tim Johnson for an annual salary of $101,500, plus $13,200 ($1,100 per month) for insurance and other benefits.

The resolution was presented as a choice between two salary amounts, according to VHCD: a yes vote was for a $101,500 salary and a no vote was for a $95,515 salary, with an identical benefit allowance.

Commissioners Tom Langland, Sarah Day and Bill Hamilton voted yes; Commissioner Alan Aman voted no and Commissioner Wendy Noble abstained.

Island wrestling tournament is here

Vashon’s biggest wrestling bash is this weekend.

Island high school wrestlers will compete with more than a dozen of their biggest rivals at the high school gymnasium for the annual Rock Wrestling Tournament. The girls compete on Friday, Dec. 27, with the boys taking the mat on Saturday, Dec. 28.

Community members are encouraged to come out and show their support.

Public meetings

The following taxing districts, government bodies, utility providers and citizen groups have civic meetings coming up.

• Vashon Island Fire & Rescue: The board will hold a regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30, which will begin with a walk-through of the construction project underway at Station 55. Visit vifr.org/events for more details.

• Water District 19 will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at the district’s board room at 17630 100th Ave SW. The next regular meeting will be held at the same time of day and location on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

• Vashon Park District: The Park District board’s next scheduled meeting is at 7 p.m. on Jan. 14 at the Ober Park Administration Building (17130 Vashon Hwy. SW) and via Zoom. Visit vashonparks.org for more information.

• The next Vashon Ferry Advisory Committee meeting takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at the Vashon Land Trust building, 10014 S.W. Bank Road, as well as virtually on Zoom.