Vashon Health Care District
A public hearing on VHCD’s proposed 2026 budget and levy will take place at a special meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at Vashon Presbyterian Church (17708 Vashon Hwy SW) and on Zoom (zoom.us/j/82699377083).
The meeting precedes a vote to approve the budget at a subsequent special meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at the same location.
The budget and an accompanying worksheet, posted at vashonhealthcare.org, detail the district’s projected revenue and expenses for 2026 and include some projected program expenses for 2027 and 2028.
The proposed budget does not call for an increase in the district’s levy, with total income of just over $2.2 million projected for the year. Most of that amount comes from tax revenue, with another $110,000 from the district’s investment income.
Expenses for the year are projected at about $2.6 million, including administrative costs. Program expenses, totaling almost $2.3 million, will fund the district’s commitment to support Vashon Island Fire & Rescue’s Mobile Integrated Health program; its remaining one-year contract with seven-day-a-week urgent care provider DispatchHealth; and support for behavioral health and social worker staffing for Vashon Youth & Family Services, the DOVE Project and Vashon Senior Center.
With an estimated current cash balance of $3.3 million, the district plans to use around $600,000 of its reserve fund to help fund these programs in 2026. The budget projects an ending cash balance of $2.6 million at the end of 2026.
Superintendent search
The Vashon Island School District Board of Directors is continuing its search for the district’s next superintendent. A total of 127 people completed the input survey conducted by executive search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) as part of its outreach to students, staff, parents and community members. HYA will present a leadership profile report at 6 p.m. Thursday Nov. 13 in the district’s boardroom at Chautauqua Elementary School.
The firm continues to recruit and conduct outreach, with 10 applicants so far — three formally submitted and seven in progress. HYA will provide another update at the Dec. 8 school board meeting. The application deadline is Jan. 9, followed by a special board meeting Jan. 14 to review applications and finalize interview questions. Semifinalist interviews will take place Jan. 23, and finalist interviews are scheduled for Feb. 3-5. The new superintendent is expected to start July 1.
Legislative forum
Vashon’s state legislative delegation — Sen. Emily Alvarado, Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon and newly elected Rep. Brianna Thomas — will be on the island for a forum at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at Vashon High School Theatre, 9600 SW 204th St.
The elected leaders will review their accomplishments from the last legislative session and look ahead to what’s coming next when they reconvene in January.
Moderated by Craig Beles and hosted by Islanders for Ferry Action, the advocacy group working to improve ferry service, forum topics will include accountability and transparency at Washington State Ferries, along with other issues that affect island residents, including housing, health care, education and public safety.
Some nonprofit groups have submitted questions in advance. Members of the audience will be able to submit questions before the forum begins.
Thomas Pruiksma
Humanities Washington has chosen Vashon resident Thomas Pruiksma for its prestigious 2026-27 Speakers Bureau program.
Pruiksma, an author, poet and translator whose recent translation of “The Kural: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural” has been acclaimed worldwide, will speak on “Facing Turmoil with Integrity: What Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Learned from an Ancient Masterpiece.”
The Speakers Bureau brings hundreds of free, accessible public talks to libraries, museums and other venues around the state each year. About 40 speakers are selected for the program every two years. Find out more at humanities.org.
Public hearing
The King County Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2025 Comprehensive Plan and Critical Areas Regulations at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, in Council Chambers on the 10th floor of the King County Courthouse, 516 Third Ave., Seattle. The council is scheduled to vote on the plan the same day. Written comments are welcome by email at CouncilCompPlan@kingcounty.gov. Details and proposed amendments are available on the council’s Comprehensive Plan website: tinyurl.com/mumwcy2m.
Warm clothing/gear needed
Hilary Emmer, who has long worked with the Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness to assist islanders who lack stable housing, is collecting apparel and gear for islanders sleeping outside in cold weather. To donate warm socks, gloves, coats, sweatshirts, sleeping bags and raincoats, email hilonvashon@yahoo.com.
Silent auction
The Vashon-Maury Community Council is holding an online auction throughout November, featuring gift cards from island businesses, handmade goods and more.
Proceeds will support the council’s operating costs for the 2026 budget cycle, including expenses such as insurance, email, website and printing.
Find out what’s on offer in the auction at tinyurl.com/4bhpy3fb, and learn more about the work of the council at v-mcc.org.
Shellfishing closures
Some Vashon-Maury Island beaches remain closed to recreational shellfishing due to unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish toxins. Check the Department of Health’s map at fortress.wa.gov/doh/biotoxin/biotoxin.html or call 800-562-5632. Commercial shellfish sites are monitored separately.
