Unable to reach a decision themselves, South Whidbey School Board directors are now looking to the region’s top education official for help in selecting a new member.

Jerry Jenkins, superintendent of Education Service District 189, an area encompassing 35 public school districts and several private schools in Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties, will attend a board meeting early next month and interview Freeland residents Jordan Nelson and Julie Hadden, both of whom are vying for the interim school director position vacated by Fred O’Neal earlier this year.

The decision to bring in outside help was due to a stalemate among directors during a board meeting on Wednesday to select O’Neal’s replacement. Both candidates were interviewed in public, beginning with Nelson, a 20-year employee of Washington State Ferries and president of the South Whidbey Youth Football League. Nelson noted that his wife is the niece of current board member Damian Greene, a fact board members and the superintendent had been made aware of prior to the interview. Nelson acknowledged that he has had no prior experience in education but noted that, as a youth sport coach and parent of two current South Whidbey School District students, he is familiar with and invested in the schools.

During the interview, Nelson referred to his coaching experience and work on the ferries as evidence of his ability to excel in a team environment and pointed out that, if selected, he would bring a unique perspective to the board as the only member with children presently enrolled in the district. He also pointed out his “accessibility” and ability to hear complaints of fellow school district parents including the numerous Boeing commuters who ride the ferries.

Hadden is a retired educator with 34 years of experience in the field, primarily working in Southern California school districts including South Central Los Angeles. In her career, Hadden has served as superintendent, assistant district superintendent, instructional aide and teacher. She continues to teach a handful of Southern California students remotely and occasionally attends educational conferences in the region. During the first four months of her term as superintendent, recalled Hadden, she was faced with a complete overhaul of the district’s school board after complaints had been filed against previous members.

“You have to have a really good board to have a great district,” she said, noting that the new board excelled at improving the district. “It takes a team.”

She continued by explaining that, although she is a retired superintendent, she is “an educator at heart” and sees the value in taking time to make careful decisions.

After retiring for a 30-minute executive session, current board members returned to cast their votes.

Damian Greene abstained from a first round of voting, due to the potential conflict of interest with Nelson, but noted that state law does not require him to recuse himself despite his relation to Nelson via his niece’s marriage.

However, according to the Revised Code of Washington an appointed board member must have the approval of at least three directors. With Greene initially abstaining, board Chairwoman Linda Racicot, Director Rocco Gianni and Director Steve Scoles were the remaining voters and the trouble arose because they weren’t unanimous in their selections. Racicot and Scoles voted for Hadden while Gianni supported Nelson.

This led to an open discussion period in which all of the four current board members, including Greene, offered their opinions. A second round of voting commenced, this time with Greene participating and voting for Nelson, as did Gianni. The two contended that Nelson’s position as the parent of two current South Whidbey School District students would offer a unique and “diverse” perspective to the board and would quell the concerns of fellow parents who had, according to Greene, been requesting representation. Nelson’s “accessibility” as a ferry boat operator was also discussed as a positive point.

Racicot and Scoles maintained their votes for Hadden with Racicot pointing out the unavoidable “learning curve” associated with becoming a new board member.

“We need someone who can hit the ground running,” she said, referencing Hadden’s experience with the educational system and school district boards.

Student representative Reganne Brown offered her input although she was not a part of the official voting. Meeting attendees had the opportunity to speak as well. Hadden momentarily attempted to withdraw her candidacy, stating that she recognized the difficulty of the decision and believed Nelson to be qualified for the position. Racicot declined Hadden’s request saying, “Nope, out of order” which prompted laughter from attendees and board members.

Hadden acquiesced and remained in the running for another round of votes which once again resulted in a tie.

Without a consensus or any indication of progress in the decision-making process, board members looked to superintendent Jo Moccia for input. In response to the discussion over parent representation and perspective, Moccia pointed out that all of the present board members are indeed parents or grandparents. Although their children are not presently in South Whidbey schools, she said, the discussion over the issue of parental representation was “really a non-issue.” Moccia continued by saying that the board’s choice should be based upon which candidate they feel can best complement the existing team to assist in improving the district.

Board members further deliberated and referred to state law for directions on how to proceed. Scoles offered the idea of a coin toss although it was promptly shot down by Racicot who said, “That sounds like a terrible idea.” A decision to toss a coin would have to be approved by at least three board members and the members would have to agree to accept the results of the coin toss.

Moccia encouraged board members to make a decision in another manner, eventually prompting another executive recess session for board members to deliberate and attempt to come to a consensus.

After a 10 minute recess, the board had still failed to make a decision and asked that Educational Service District 189 Superintendent Jerry Jenkins be brought in to interview the candidates in an open session and then make a recommendation to the board. Racicot, Greene, Scoles and Gianni will then consider his advice and take another public vote.

Sheilah Crider, auditor for Island County, said that it is within the board’s purview to ask for input of this kind if they feel it will enable them to make the selection.

The special meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, in the South Whidbey Elementary School Community Room.