By ANNELI FOGT

Editor

From the district’s water use to the role of testing in the classroom to sexual education curriculum and the availability of condoms at the high school, islanders provided the Vashon Island school board candidates with plenty to talk about at the candidate forum on Thursday, Oct. 1.

The forum served as a chance for the public to get to know the six candidates by asking them questions about any issues over which they had concerns. It turned out that islanders were concerned about a wide variety of topics, and candidates answered nine audience-generated questions over the course of the two-hour long debate. While answers varied widely among the candidates, all agreed that more resources need to be in place for parents to become more engaged in their children’s schooling and that schools need to encourage diversity.

At the beginning of the debate, community advocate and forum organizer Hilary Emmer asked the candidates about their passions and what they will bring to the board. Position 5 incumbent Laura Wishik said that she wants to create a more inclusive school experience for all, but believes that there is a “missing piece” when it comes to parents.

“We need to focus on building partnerships with families and parents,” Wishik said.

Wishik’s opponent, Toby Holmes, said that he is passionate about wanting to resist “the culture of standardization,” and supporting teachers.

Position 3 candidates Zabette Macomber and Jake Jacobovitch both said they were passionate about educating every child and encouraging diversity. Macomber focused on girls and the importance of making sure to empower them in their daily schooling and also said that the district needs to encourage diversity, because Vashon is “very white.” Jacobovitch said that the district needs to focus on ever-growing minority communities and the groups of students who get “left behind” and do not attend college. Position 1 candidates John “Oz” Osborne and incumbent Dan Chasan both said they were passionate about educators. Osborne said that he believes schools need facilities that “honor educators,” while Chasan said that teachers need to remain flexible in the current “push for homogenization.”

The question of capital planning, the upcoming bond election and school facilities were issues that drew two questions in the debate, with islanders asking how the candidates can justify the proposed athletic facility upgrades and if they believe facilities should last more than 40 or 50 years.

Islander Susan Nyman asked the candidates to justify why the Vashon High School track should be rotated and renovated, a project that would cost nearly $4 million.

Half of the candidates: Macomber, Chasan and Jacobovitch, fully supported the track relocation and renovation, all citing safety issues with the current setup. Macomber and Jacobovitch spoke about the importance of exercise for schoolchildren and the current “unsafe” state of the track. Macomber said the track’s largest safety issue is an “ankle-breaking” corner that poses issues.

Chasan said that he “would love” a new track, but pointed out that the new board would not be responsible for making decisions about it.

“Under the current schedule, decisions on the bond will be made before the new board comes in,” Chasan said.

Wishik said that multiple studies show exercise is “essential” for successful students and more indoor space may serve students better, giving them room for exercise such as dance or yoga classes. She ran out of time before she had the chance to talk about the track specifically.

Holmes and Osborne were more reluctant to take a side on the track renovation issue and both talked about getting more community input and information before making a decision.

“No matter the source of the funding, there’s a responsibility to spend appropriately,” Holmes said. “We’re going to have to have a conversation with the community about the value of what the money is going to and find priorities.”

Osborne made it clear that he supported student-athletes and athletic facilities, but said he is having “a hard time” relocating the track.

“I would like to have it fixed and remain in its current location,” Osborne said. “The gym is a higher priority.”

The next facilities question asked of the candidates was whether they believed school facilities should last more than 40 or 50 years before being replaced. Candidates agreed with unanimous answers of: “of course,” and talked about the importance of regular maintenance to make that kind of longevity possible.

With so much talk about finances and resources, VHS student Sam Cushing took it upon himself to address the candidates and ask what their plans were for increasing funding to make these projects possible.

Volunteers was the resounding answer given by nearly all of the candidates. Osborne and Holmes were the only two candidates who mentioned solutions besides volunteers, with Holmes saying the board and district would have to “get creative,” and Osborne talking about using Partners In Education and the Vashon School District Foundation.

With finances discussed, attention turned to Common Core curriculum, and the school’s sexual education curriculum, which is separate from Common Core. The question to the candidates was whether there would be any chance of getting rid of the sex education curriculum or any part of Common Core.

All candidates agreed that the topic is a sensitive one and that parents have the choice to opt their children out of the lessons. They also all agreed that they were not planning on abandoning the curriculum and found no problems with it.

Jacobovitch was the only candidate to pass and not answer the question. Macomber, his competitor, said basically that sexual education is a hard topic to discuss, but it is important to remember that the students are in school to learn. Wishik said she believed the curriculum on the topic is “excellent,” and Holmes said he felt the curriculum is “reality-based.” Osborne and Chasan said they have no intention to opt out of any part of either curriculum.

The debates ended on an unexpected note when forum organizer Emmer asked about the availability of condoms at the high school and whether the candidates believed it was a good idea to have condoms in the second-floor bathroom, so they could be picked up discreetly.

All of the candidates, besides Wishik, who said she was a Catholic, said they had no problem with making them available in the restrooms, but stressed that good sexual education programs and education about healthy relationships need to accompany the availability of condoms to high-schoolers.

Wishik opposed the proposition citing studies that reportedly showed condoms are more effective when paired with adults who moderate the distribution and educate.

Islanders can cast their votes for the school board on Nov. 3. Ballots for the election will be mailed to voters on Oct. 19.