Editor,

Incumbent School Director Ann Johnson is a key member of the South Whidbey School District leadership team, helping earn a Washington State School Directors Association Boards of Distinction honor two years in a row. I’m writing with my personal opinion as a parent, educator, and voter, informed by my role as an elected member of the South Whidbey School Board. I have served alongside Ann Johnson since late 2020 and she has earned my wholehearted respect and trust. She’ll have my vote for School Board Position 5 this November.

I was in the room on May 1 when a far-right group, complete with MAGA hats, gathered to recruit opposition candidates. I witnessed people spewing hateful language and calling out for a candidate who would represent them while learning how to use the words that “these liberals” want to hear. To this suggestion, Gwendy Gabelein smiled ear to ear and said, “there will be a candidate.” The intentional duplicity of this campaign was completely unmasked.

Ms. Gabelein is a Trojan horse hiding an anti-education worldview under the facade of a pro-community campaign. Her goal, as implied in that room on May 1, is to leverage exclusionary values against students and educators. In contrast, a vote for Ann Johnson is a vote for engaging, inclusive and excellent education for all students.

Ann Johnson has my vote.

Marnie Jackson

Langley