Quilcene School Board fills vacancy, has 4 of 5 seats up for election in fall

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The Quilcene School Board has filled its seat that had been open since last month, but that seat and three others are all due to be back on the ballot this fall.

Trisha Freiberg was unanimously voted, by the four sitting board members April 10, to fill the at-large Position 5 seat that had been empty since Shona Davis resigned March 6.

Freiberg, a married 37-year-old mother of two Quilcene students (both girls), has 11 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist and a certificate from Columbia Bible College in outdoor discipleship.

Freiberg tied her profession to her belief in ongoing learning by describing herself as “fascinated with continued study of the human body” in her application for the open board position.

In that same application, Freiberg wrote that she and her husband attend most of the elementary school-related activities in the community, both on an off school grounds.

Freiberg’s application touted her “well-rounded background,” which she credited with helping her approach issues from a variety of viewpoints before making a decision, and expressed her support for the changes “currently being made” to the school district.

“It’s an exciting time to join a board that works well with each other and the administration,” Freiburg wrote in her application. “If I am ever going to learn how to be a good board member, I feel strongly that this is the perfect time to come in green, and develop experiences that (will) likely serve me well.”

During the three board candidates’ interviews by the four sitting board members and Superintendent Frank Redmon, Freiberg explained that her approach to board membership would involve listening before speaking, and “communicating in a healthy way,” in her approach.

Freiburg added that her ultimate goal would be to assist the students themselves, so that they can “become who they’re meant to be.”

The other two candidates were Bonnie Hitt, who served on the Quilcene School Board from July 2009 through December 2013, and David Neuenschwander, a reserve officer in the U.S. Marines.

Hitt has also served on the school’s career and technical education advisory board, while Neuenschwander owned and operated a quick print shop for 19 years.

School Board member Vivian Kuehl deemed it difficult to decide between the “excellent pool” of three candidates.

While Freiberg is slated to serve until her Position 5 seat is up for election Nov. 5, she won’t be alone on that ballot, as Position 1’s Mark Apeland, Position 3’s Kuehl (who serves as the board’s legislative representative) and Position 4’s Paul Mahan (who currently chairs the board) will be up for re-election.

Freiberg’s position will be up for election Nov. 5. Three other board positions - Position 4, Position 3 and Position 1 - also will be on the ballot this year.

The filing week for Jefferson County elections is May 13-17.

For more information about the open board positions, you may call Superintendent Redmon at 360-765-2902.