Question and answer with North Beach school board candidates

Two of the five seats on the North Beach School Board will appear on the Aug. 1 primary ballot. For the District 4 seat, Joe Lomedico and Halvar Olstead have challenged incumbent Jessica Iliff, who has served as a board member since 2018.

The Daily World asked candidates to introduce themselves and explain their positions on the biggest issues facing the district — financial instability, capital projects, tsunami towers and test scores. Their answers have been edited for clarity, accuracy and grammar.

Joe Lomedico

Why are you running for school board director?

“I am running for school board because, unfortunately, North Beach has just gone through the darkest days in its history. Due to our previous superintendent and former board chair (and the person I am running against) we have millions of dollars in pending lawsuits, our scores are at an all time low, our athletics outside of two sports are in shambles, and there is a major distrust towards the district from the community and alumni.”

If elected, what would be your main priorities?

“First and foremost I would start with bringing accountability back to the district and start rebuilding the trust of the community. Then I would make sure that we are putting the right people in place, and getting them the resources needed to help raise our reading and math scores. Furthermore, I would do what it takes to bring back North Beach pride to our athletic department. Studies show kids who are in athletics have higher GPAs, but at the same time, kids aren’t going to participate if they don’t believe in the program.”

Please provide a short summary of your personal and professional background. How would that lend itself to the position of school board director?

“I worked for the North Beach School District in different capacities for about four years and have four kids in the district, so I have witnessed the shortcomings from the previous administration and select board members. My wife and I also own a gym and jiu jitsu school in Ocean Shores. Due to my background I am not only aware of the issues our district has, but also the business knowledge on how to help fix it.”

The North Beach School District failed to pass consecutive ballot measures last year: a $110 million bond and a $7 million levy. What would be your plan to secure funding needed for necessary capital projects around the district?

“As a member of the community I can state that our community has always been there for our kids. We only started voting against these bonds and levies when the trust of the leadership became an issue. The community won’t trust the district with its hard-earned tax dollars until they believe it will be used properly and by trustworthy people. That is why rebuilding the trust of the community is so important. The district now more than ever needs help, and once the trust is rebuilt, I’m sure the citizens in the district will be there for them.”

What would you do to protect students from the threat of a tsunami? Do you support building a vertical evacuation tower for the students of Ocean Shores Elementary? If so, where, and how would you choose to fund it?

This is something that is a key issue right now in our community. My belief is we need to find the safest option for our kids. As someone who has been a part of multiple practice fire drills, I can say without a doubt that in an emergency where there is most likely an earthquake then a tsunami we could not get every child at the elementary school safely to the proposed tower and to the top safely. I would like to see a third floor added where we can add classrooms. The third floor would be the evacuation floor in case of a tsunami. That was the plan for one of the previous bonds that was denied.

The district is currently facing decisions about cuts to programs and staff. What are your ideas for solutions for the current budget pinch?

“Unfortunately there is no easy answer here. Our previous administration and former board chair (Jessica) Iliff put us in this situation and we are going to have to make some hard decisions to move forward. First and foremost you have to make the cuts at the administration level first. We have some in the administrator’s office making a lot more than others in the same position in other districts. We need to start there. Then we start with cutting the staff that has cost our district thousands in lawsuits. After that we take a look at the programs that aren’t working. We have some great teachers in our district that truly love and care for our students. That is the staff we need to embrace and make sure they have the funding and the tools to help our kids.”

The most recent OSPI data shows North Beach School District is below state average in test scores: 36% of students met grade level standards in English and Science assessments, while 19% of students met Math assessment standards. If elected, would you strive to improve test scores? If so, how?

“We need to get back to teaching kids. Allow the teachers to teach. Right now so much of the reading and math is done by computer programs. Our kids especially at the elementary school sit on the computer for over an hour staring at a screen. It has its benefits as well, but bring the teaching back to the teachers, because we do have some great ones. Also, as for the middle school/high school, put a library back in the building and quit giving the kids audio books. Our kids need access to books. It is so scary how bad our reading scores are, and I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that kids who don’t aren’t required to read are 36% below average in reading and writing.”

If there’s anything else you’d like to add, please do:

“If I can say one thing it’s that my opponent Jessica Iliff had her chance on the board. Instead of doing what’s best for our kids, she allowed our superintendent to do what he wanted at free will, then when everything came out she paid him out a $185,000 payment. She has already been removed as board chair due to her actions. Now it’s time to close the book on the ugly past of the last five years.” (Clarification: The North Beach School Board appointed Iliff to negotiate a resignation agreement with the attorney of former Superintendent Andrew Kelly last year after Kelly was placed on paid leave by the board. The agreement, reached on April 23, 2022, resulted in a $185,000 payment to Kelly over the course of the next year, according to previous reporting by The Daily World.)

Halvar Olstead

Why are you running for school board director?

“I would like to be of service to this community. The North Beach Schools seem to have a poor public perception. I hope to be able to change that perception to a positive one. I know people who drive their kids 30 miles to attend other school districts. That shouldn’t have to happen.”

If elected, what would be your main priorities?

“I will strive to provide policies and procedures as well as putting to good use of the funds available so that teachers can teach and all students learn in a safe and nurturing environment.”

Please provide a short summary of your personal and professional background.

“I retired over 20 years ago as an elementary teacher in Mt. Baker Schools. We spent 10 years in far Eastern Montana where I was a school bus driver, substitute teacher, driver education instructor as well as an appointed and elected town council member. I was a volunteer firefighter/EMT for 44 years in three states. I am currently the safety manager for the private community of Seabrook near Pacific Beach. I have a bachelor of arts degree in education from Pacific Lutheran University, a master of education in school administration from Western Washington University, associates degree in fire science from Whatcom Community College and a postgraduate traffic safety education minor from Montana State University Northern.”

How would that lend itself to the position of school board director?

“I understand schools. I have also been in the private sector and small town government. I have been treasurer of many churches and community organizations and understand budgets with limited resources. I can relate to many populations.”

“I don’t have a specific plan. If we improve the public’s perception of their schools, their support will follow.”

It seems a vertical evacuation tower is the only choice, and there needs to be a lot of them in Ocean Shores and an alternative location for Pacific Beach Elementary. As far as funding goes, I don’t know yet. Part of my job at Seabrook is disaster preparedness, and I am learning more and more about earthquakes and tsunamis.

The district is currently facing decisions about cuts to programs and staff. What are your ideas for solutions for the current budget pinch?

When I was in the school business, unstable funding was always a problem. Do the best you can with what you have. I don’t have any specific solutions at this point.

Do the best with what you have. I’m not sure school board members have direct control of test scores.

If there’s anything else you’d like to add, please do:

A pretty good summary came in the mail-in ballot.

Jessica Iliff

Why are you running for school board director?

The North Beach School District is very dear to my heart. I moved my four kids to Ocean Shores in 2015 and the district immediately met each of their needs. I’ve been on the school board since 2018 and want to continue my service on the board. I want other families that move into the district to have the same positive experience my family did. I’m proud to say to date I have two North Beach graduates and two more on their way.

If elected, what would be your main priorities?

My main priority is to focus on the healing of the district as we are in a very traumatic state. It has been rough being on the school board the last year or so, but I have never lost focus of the oath I took. I believe we have wonderful families in our district and want to continue to improve the district for them.

Please provide a short summary of your personal and professional background. How would that lend itself to the position of school board director?

I was a stay at home mom until the last few years so my professional background doesn’t lend itself much to the role, but my personal background certainly does. Being a stay at home mom allowed me to volunteer at my kids’ schools and become very involved. I became close with staff, students, and other parents. This has helped me become aware of the different needs within the district. My house tends to be the gathering place for lots of kids in the community, and they know my pantry door is always open.

I believe our ask of the community was too high last time around. I listened to the comments and concerns, and I’m excited to go back out to the community with a better plan when the time arises.

I feel very strongly about working toward protecting our students from a tsunami at all of our school buildings. I do support a vertical evacuation tower for the students of Ocean Shores Elementary. My hope would be to have the tower as close as possible to the school and use any and all funds awarded to the district to do so.

The district is currently facing decisions about cuts to programs and staff. What are your ideas for solutions for the current budget pinch?

The most obvious solution would be to increase our number of students but that is not a guarantee. Focusing the majority of the budget on student learning should be the priority. Our budget has taken some unfortunate hits recently which I feel will not be issues as we move forward in a more transparent and positive light.

Test scores have always been a struggle in our district. The pandemic certainly didn’t help that either. We have amazing educators in our district and I know given time our scores will increase. It may sound silly, but I’ve always believed checking in on our students’ mental and emotional health and making sure they are fed is huge when it comes to academics. If we start there and our students are happy our scores will increase. Preparing our students for the real world is my main priority. That looks different for each student, and I look forward to the challenge of making that happen for each and every one of them.

Contact reporter Clayton Franke at 406-552-3917 or clayton.franke@thedailyworld.com.