[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6160488,"mediaKeyId","5450333-1fa7b30397ac38a27d6f5f56df31972e","parentId",5450333,"title","School Board Candidate Jim Calleo Calls for Ending Divisiveness, Restoring Classroom Focus","audioSeconds",591,"startMs",3359000,"endMs",3950000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450333-1fa7b30397ac38a27d6f5f56df31972e&start=3359&end=3950","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450333-1fa7b30397ac38a27d6f5f56df31972e/thumbnail_3359000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6160488/Sedro-Woolley/Skagit-County/Washington/School-Board-Candidate-Jim-Calleo-Calls-for-Ending-Divisiveness-Restoring-Classroom-Focus","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160488-cbd7b0916bcccdbe13f9c156ec7c2702/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156768&Signature=Wlf7jcBNx4VQwJ9CVKK7CJhNJc9YsbUsc9DjZ9pXsNATkEOHL0lLTvqPGWg8Ss9RPkp4cgyjVQxZxBQ07xJWGolcVkDz3OgCiPuR5s6dhZR-6-iSDj-H3VLyTxEG6cSzGTvzA7opyblEEJlXxrrwli4uuPF9OxiTTUZo67F1AG6WffMnwksrNKDavsLPokZ6727BhMEHxjcfVn1CY99LsLiPLgdRlWRYlwsUX44oqSG6~U5kpzRuBYi8roZmznj6myg5HoFSQ8GHZJogVb6mqdedM6xt-pqP5ToV0c0-obqhwnaqYyCsEriz2SomZO7ofEMUz3wmaPfHvgFHidexgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sedro-Woolley, WA","date","2025-07-23T11:21:59.807Z","article","At a League of Women Voters candidate forum, Jim Calleo, who previously served on the Sedro‑Woolley School Board from 1997 to 2017, said he is running to return the board’s focus to classroom instruction and steady local oversight after recent contentious episodes and leadership turnover.

Calleo told the audience he watched the district’s leadership become “divisive” and said the result included the recent superintendent resignation and an associated cost he described as “close to a half a million dollars.” He said that experience motivated him to run again to help the district “get back on the same page” and keep attention on student learning and classroom programs.

Calleo emphasized the board’s role as a local oversight body that hires and guides the superintendent rather than managing daily operations. “Your role is to provide guidance and direction to the superintendent who is the only person that really works for the school board,” he said, adding that the board should avoid “getting down into the everyday operations.”

Funding and facilities were central themes. Calleo said the district’s general fund balance has declined over the last four or five years and that his top priorities would be restoring a balanced general fund and addressing deferred maintenance before small problems grow into larger, more expensive repairs. He said maintaining career and technical education (CTE) and other non‑college tracks is important to prepare students for local workforce opportunities.

Calleo also cited experience leading two successful superintendent searches during his previous board tenure and said fit with the community matters in selecting a new superintendent: “If they don't fit your community, doesn't matter how good they are.”

The forum included time for questions and answers; no formal board actions were taken. Calleo noted opponents did not appear at the forum and asked voters to consider his record of experience and nonpartisan service when voting for the District 1 seat.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","League of Women Voters - Candidate Forum July 16th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Former board member Jim Calleo said he is running to reduce board divisiveness, restore local oversight of schools and stabilize the district’s finances and facilities after recent turmoil and superintendent turnover.","taxTitle","Sedro-Woolley, Skagit County, Washington","taxId",71694,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6160492,"Ward 6 Candidates Debate Public Safety, Infrastructure and Growth at Forum",1052,1751000,2803000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450333-1fa7b30397ac38a27d6f5f56df31972e&start=1751&end=2803","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450333-1fa7b30397ac38a27d6f5f56df31972e/thumbnail_1751000.jpg","/articles/6160492/Sedro-Woolley/Skagit-County/Washington/Ward-6-Candidates-Debate-Public-Safety-Infrastructure-and-Growth-at-Forum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160492-241bab88b0781243f809b87e42f8b991/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156768&Signature=CkDy3JkCLWQXZSrITMSUZduzEI3nBxXEcDKHFuODA4Wk~5NrAyLEmFDPQYi7K0oeCPDHmzD80xCXwzxiIAvL1ST8pju4Hcf1tp7lXiNHZOxqRdafzguARNrGvm32oEqnrnaorZrbOMSHF6xi8SPkk5fRk5OF6vCd6-OF21~vA1mGDfpWxZe9otn6RQ79GmJ1zDlqaDwSqgHHILlehoYag2OXomdvw4UMSa~B3xvhFZiU~UTDctItBs9t6wBSpU-GjiPEinuKB9WDI7N2ZJfvnv3LxfovxBTSFjfaDqp2IyhgvIq1CANc~IJ7Bt5S4Z~tifhe0Ph~K5Av8x5kTLlM8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two candidates for Sedro‑Woolley City Council Ward 6 — incumbent Joe Burns and former councilor Carl DeYoung — told voters at a League of Women Voters forum they prioritize public safety, infrastructure and supporting local business as the city grows.

Joe Burns, the incumbent council member, told the forum he has pushed for steady fiscal management and public‑safety staffing. “My top priority, public safety,” Burns said, adding that he supported a levy to add firefighters and has worked to secure a staffed police canine program and staffing for police and fire. Burns said he completed more than 60 hours of training for an advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership and emphasized responsiveness to constituents.

Carl DeYoung, who served on the council from 2018 to 2022, said representation and accessibility are the primary duties of a council member and described priorities that include fully funding public safety and public works, improving trail and park access and supporting balanced growth. DeYoung said he has lobbied in Olympia for state transportation funding tied to a proposed bypass project and stressed partnership with state and regional leaders for infrastructure that affects the city.

Both candidates addressed the city’s financial constraints and offered similar first priorities: maintain public‑safety staffing and invest in infrastructure projects that will ease traffic and support local businesses. Burns emphasized attracting sales‑tax generating businesses to keep revenue local; DeYoung emphasized streamlining permitting and workforce development to create local jobs.

On growth, Burns said the city should pursue multiple corridors and long‑range planning to keep traffic out of the downtown core and to make the city attractive for retail and services. DeYoung also supported a corridor effort and credited local staff and state partners for advancing planning discussions.

The forum was a question‑and‑answer session; there were no formal council actions taken. Each candidate described specific projects and staffing priorities they would support if elected, and both asked voters to consider their track records and community engagement when casting ballots.","Incumbent Joe Burns and former councilor Carl DeYoung outlined priorities for Sedro‑Woolley’s Ward 6, emphasizing public safety, fire and police staffing, infrastructure and managed growth; the candidates differed on emphasis but agreed on the need for responsive representation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6160497,"Candidates for Hospital District 304 Spotlight Funding, PeaceHealth Partnership and Service Navigation",1582,43000,1625000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450333-1fa7b30397ac38a27d6f5f56df31972e&start=43&end=1625","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450333-1fa7b30397ac38a27d6f5f56df31972e/thumbnail_43000.jpg","/articles/6160497/Sedro-Woolley/Skagit-County/Washington/Candidates-for-Hospital-District-304-Spotlight-Funding-PeaceHealth-Partnership-and-Service-Navigation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160497-452e9045cd3263a44449676228177831/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156768&Signature=Xb237svngHx-IOjODJP1BtSd2PtBJlSo9Pgn4sfIPCzDorFMpTDS5KnMgsN~u7RAuaEamQvkIQMik3yAj8Drn96FT-acueJRL~t-KvZjT~dKm1ZPNgDEN-TkkcUZOBopoJ4GdDetreTm94GlXOXG7jahwbTVW7G6Z2Cbp2S~sW1TT-shyS4JBe7GUWUG3gxELgc2RDtqTb5LIkp0vpTE1vQ5cQ~dOJ6dxqcOscFgzyYQv6iUuZtgaCdRkYML~ELT4ER6Nt66jgId-I4HvjHWDi6EDYGGkD10htjuv~ks6leJBTsJmP4cBQic9e67-wHocYX5-ZX6ei2O3u2bHLhXdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Three candidates for Sedro‑Woolley-area Hospital District 304 outlined priorities and concerns at a League of Women Voters forum, focusing on the district’s partnership with PeaceHealth, preserving programs funded outside clinical care and preparing for possible state and federal funding cuts. Ellen DeJong, Germaine Kornegay and incumbent Robert Stanley each said the elected board does not run clinical care but is responsible for community and human services the district funds.

The district’s role and relationship with PeaceHealth drew repeated attention. Germaine Kornegay, candidate for Hospital District 304, said the two entities “partner” and that a PeaceHealth representative often attends commission meetings and provides input. Kornegay added that PeaceHealth also “provides some funding for the programs that United General provides.”

Robert Stanley emphasized the board’s fiscal oversight and the importance of grant revenue. Stanley, a pharmacist and long‑time commissioner, said most district services rely on grants and that taxpayer support covers uncompensated care. He told the forum the partnership with PeaceHealth has allowed the district to access specialists and stronger clinical services at nearby hospitals.

Ellen DeJong, a board‑certified family practice physician and candidate, said the board’s principal responsibilities include watching that PeaceHealth “is doing what they promised” and preserving non‑clinical services such as nutrition support, behavioral health, hospice and diabetes care. “The bigger part of the board’s job is to continue all those extra services,” DeJong said.

Candidates named financial uncertainty and navigation between organizations as pressing issues. DeJong and Kornegay both singled out potential Medicare and Medicaid funding changes; Kornegay said she’d like to see a larger “rainy day fund” and a clear plan for growing reserves. Kornegay also raised confusion residents face when deciding whether to contact United General or PeaceHealth for particular problems, and said she would work to clarify the paths for help.

Stanley pointed to behavioral‑health access and insurance shortfalls, saying, “the insurance companies aren’t doing their share,” and warning that people without treatment options may end up on the street, in jail, or in emergency rooms. Stanley also noted recent capital investments tied to PeaceHealth: “Our cancer center…we just spent $14,000,000 to make sure we had the best in radiation therapy,” he said.

Candidates addressed taxation and budgeting in the district. Stanley described the district’s tax burden as low and urged continued reliance on grants; in his remarks he said taxes for a typical home in the district amount to about $60 a year. Kornegay and DeJong both said they want to maintain low tax rates while protecting effective programs. DeJong called for proactive fundraising and fiscal oversight so programs aren’t lost “with funding.”

There were no formal actions at the forum. The event was a candidate forum for voters to compare priorities; candidates answered moderator questions about the board’s role, taxes, current challenges and their qualifications.

The candidates urged voters to review UnitedGeneral.org and PeaceHealth.org for program details and to consider how the district’s non‑clinical services support families. The election for Hospital District 304 commissioner will be decided on the ballot; forum attendees were encouraged to vote by the August 5 deadline mentioned by the moderator.","Three candidates for Hospital District 304 — Ellen DeJong, Germaine Kornegay and Robert Stanley — told a League of Women Voters forum they back the district’s partnership with PeaceHealth, are focused on preserving community services and worry about state and federal funding cuts and system navigation for residents.","actionData","errors"]

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School Board Candidate Jim Calleo Calls for Ending Divisiveness, Restoring Classroom Focus

Ward 6 Candidates Debate Public Safety, Infrastructure and Growth at Forum

Candidates for Hospital District 304 Spotlight Funding, PeaceHealth Partnership and Service Navigation