School board candidate Justin Paulsen didn’t hold anything back during the election forum with opponent Tony Ghazel.

During the debate hosted by PTSA on Oct. 14, he accused the school of failing in its administrative execution of the high school siding project.

“There have been undocumented construction workers sharing the bathrooms and showers with the students,” he said. “It’s one thing to make a mistake – it’s another thing to stand behind that mistake and say you are right.”

Ghazel, who has been on the board for nine years, defended the project.

“Honorable people disagree with what Justin has been alluding to,” he said. “Mahlum Architects and our project manager – they all say it’s been done according to plan.”

He explained that the head contractor and his wife lived on campus this past summer, but were asked to leave once school began. In an interview with the Sounder, School District Superintendent Barbara Kline explained on one occasion the wife of the contractor on the high school siding project was in the girls’ locker room at a time that overlapped with students.

“She was quite ill and very apologetic about being in the locker room at that time,” said Kline. “I have not heard of any other such incident.”

Cathy Faulkner of the Orcas PTSA led the forum for the two candidates, who are vying for the director two position. Chris Sutton and Scott Lancaster are running unopposed for the school board in the Nov. 5 election.

Ghazel said he has been honored to serve for the past two terms.

“I feel that excellent and free education are what define a community,” he said.

He noted his ability to balance multi-million  dollar budgets, work with state legislators and execute a successful bond project among his strengths.

“Our job is at the state level,” Ghazel said. “I want to still be involved in that process.”

Paulsen thanked Ghazel for his hard work with the state on funding education, but said it is “time for a change.”

“There needs to be fresh perspective, it’s  time for a change and rotation,” he said. “There is a time to step aside … I appreciate Tony’s willingness to go to Olympia, but I would dedicate my time to what’s happening on Orcas.”

Paulsen said his strengths are project management, overseeing large budgets and accountability.

“We need to give the community feedback,” he said. “If elected, I want to hold forums and town hall meetings so people feel welcome to speak up.”

Faulkner asked Ghazel and Paulsen how they would “grade” the bond construction projects and the tech upgrade.

Paulsen gave the school an A- for securing the funds but an F- in the administrative execution.

Ghazel said he is proud of what the school has done and gave a grade of A- overall.

Faulkner queried the candidates on what they considered to be the district’s strengths and challenges.

Paulsen said the incredible community members who contribute to the school’s educational offerings are a huge asset to the school. On the flip side, he feels the community’s willingness to donate to the school is a challenge.

“We shouldn’t be basing the budget on that,” Paulsen said.

Ghazel said the school’s committed staff and teachers and financial support from the community are its strengths.

“The biggest challenge is balancing the budget while the state budget is eroding,” he said.

Looking ahead, Faulkner asked them what their goals are for the school.

Ghazel would like to see an improvement in student learning.

Paulsen is hoping to develop better communication within the school and the community and make sure support services are in place for extended family members who are unexpectedly raising children.

“We have a serious demographic problem here,” he said.

Ballots will arrive in the mail around Oct. 22. San Juan County Elections has updated the look of the materials. Although the envelope is a different size than the old one, it is still small enough to require only first class postage for those voters who return their ballots by mail. It’s still free to drop a ballot into the box at the Orcas Senior Center.

Also on the ballot is a “Proposition 1” initiate that amends the county charter by substituting the words “Charter Amendment Petition” for the word “initiative” in section 9.33 of the charter. The intent is to get around section 5.34 of the charter, which states that the boundaries of county council districts “shall not be changed by the Legislative Body or initiative.”