Abbott wins Oak Harbor School Board seat

Christine Abbott won the only opposed race for the Oak Harbor School Board, position 2, against opponent John Worthington.

“I’m very excited and I’m also very aware of the significance of the job and I’m ready to hit it head on,” Abbott said.

Abbott will be officially elected to the school board later in November.

“It’s been kind of a long process for running,” Abbott said, adding that she’s been passionate about joining the school board for a long time.

To prepare for her new position, she’ll attend the Washington State School Director’s Association conference next weekend. The four-day conference includes orientation for new school board directors and offers workshops that explain the ins and outs of the position.

She’s also in the process of setting up meetings with school principals so they can get to know her and she can hear their school-related concerns.

Abbott has been attending school board meetings for approximately one year and observed budget committee meetings from January to March, which she said taught her a lot.

Abbott, a full-time mother, can often be found volunteering in schools throughout the district. She’s been on the Parent-Teacher Association for Hillcrest Elementary for two years and is the District Parent Advisory Committee representative.

On the school board, Abbott plans to advocate for free all-day, every day kindergarten, which was recently reduced to every other day to cut transportation costs.

She also plans to get parents more involved with school board issues and meetings.

“I’m excited! I’m ready and I’m ready to start now,” Abbott said.

 

Contact Whidbey News Times Staff reporter Rebecca Olson at rolson@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5052.

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