Ballot solidifies for November election

Mike Jacobs and Kyle Burleigh will likely share the ballot Nov. 6 for Shoreline School Board Director district 1, while Richard Potter and Jim Leigh will compete for the board’s district 5 seat in that election.

At press time, numbers weren’t yet official from the Aug. 21 primary election.

Jacobs was in the lead, with about 55 percent of the vote, while Burleigh, who captured about 24 percent, was just a few steps ahead of Melinda Giovengo, with 20 percent.

Burleigh, who’s in his final year at the University of Washington and was a student in Shoreline schools for 13 years, is running with the slogan “Smile for Kyle.”

“I just wanted to thank the Shoreline voters,” he said this week. “I think the community and parents will see a real difference between Mike Jacobs and I.”

Incumbent Mike Jacobs, a partner in Riach Gese Law Firm, has served on the board for six years.

“I bring the necessary leadership and experience which the district needs as we proceed to achieve long-term stability and health,” he said. “I believe it’s imperative we continue to take the course of action we’re on.”

As for the race for district 1, Potter had a solid lead, with about 51 percent of the votes, and Leigh had almost 38 percent.

Tayo Bolonduro trailed behind with about 7 percent of the votes, and Chad Cudworth, who dropped out of the race before the primary, captured about 4 percent of the votes.

Potter, an associate technical fellow at The Boeing Co, attended the Aug. 27 school board meeting, where hundreds of teachers and support staff picketed because of labor negotiations.

“I had a lot of people expressing support because they have no confidence in the current board,” Potter said, referring to the meeting. “They don’t feel they’ve listened to the people and it’s why I’m running in the first place.”

Incumbent Jim Leigh said he hopes the district can settle with unions, as the district is in financial trouble. He e-mailed the Enterprise from Asia and will return to Shoreline next week.

“My opponent is running on a single emotional issue: schools closure,” Leigh said. “If he truly understands our school district problems, why would he rally with (unions) against our school district? I’m asking that parents and voters get the facts.”