To the Editor:
I write to highlight the excellent work of San Juan County Council candidate longtime-islander Jennifer Swanson in our community, which is easily applied to the larger islands. Most notably, she has served as an elected official for repeated terms as a school district board member (I served a similar term, staggered to hers, during this time), and board chair for part of that, and also as appointed superintendent.
Her experience brought a deep understanding of how to reach out to sometimes polarized constituencies during the COVID pandemic: parents, the board, students, staff. She also regularly met with officials and directors to develop the latest best practices to keep the school safe — and pandemic fear at bay.
School board member and superintendent duties are the same for small districts as for larger ones. The requirements include budget and grants management, record keeping, reporting, information gathering (including performance statistics, forecasts), employee supervision and listening to and caring for students and their families — in addition to offering clear and compelling visioning and complying with federal, state and county laws.
Hers is not a negative campaign. This is not about the interest of one island over another; what’s needed is creating reasoned solutions for living our lives, together. As council members make laws and policies for local government, communication is critical with residents and coordinating with regional and state leaders.
Outstanding is Jennifer’s calm and even temperament — essential for a county council member to be successful. As such, Jennifer would ensure that communication is wide open. Her experience is proven, with eloquence and reasoned positions, without alienating interest groups.
—Gigi Allaway, Shaw Island; Oct. 11, 2026