Helen Johnson to run for school board

"Helen Price Johnson, a longtime PTA member and past president of the Langley Middle School PTSA, has filed to run for Wendy Alexander's South Whidbey School Board seat.Johnson comes from a politically-active family. Her mother, Virginia Price Jones, is a member of the League of Women Voters. Johnson's grandfather, Vincent Jones, served as a school board member in Shoreline. Her grandmother, Matilda Jones, served as a state representative from Lake City.Now it is Johnson's turn to run for public office. A mother of four schoolage children and a regular volunteer in South Whidbey schools, Johnson said she wants to be on the school board to support a number of programs she has seen work in the classroom. She noted that the school district's new math curriculum, which was adopted by the current board this spring, will make for better transitions between grade levels at South Whidbey schools. She also said parent involvement in the classroom needs a good boost from the board.Kids perform better when their parents are involved in the school, she said.Also on Johnson's agenda is improving the relationship between board members and district administrators.There's always room for improvement in teamwork, she said.Though she has been active in all three of the district's PTA organizations, as a classroom volunteer, as part of the district's levy committee, in the South Whidbey Booster Club, and as Little League and soccer coach, she said this year is the first time she has had the freedom to run for the board. Starting in September, three of her children will be attending South Whidbey High School, which she said will reduce her taxi duties.She said she will need the extra time to learn about all the issues facing the school district. "

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