Write-in in N/GRV school board race

The race for Naselle – Grays River Valley School Board Director Position #2 is heating up.

Rosburg resident Mike Queener filed last June to run for incumbent Nancy McGuire’s position after McGuire declined to run for reelection. Two weeks ago Michelle Condon announced her write-in candidacy.

Condon was contacted last week by The Eagle’s reporter but did not respond by press time. She provided information to the Grays River Grange that was posted online to the Grange’s Local Elections Voters Guide (http://graysriver.grange.wahkiakum.info).

Condon wrote she is running “to partner with the Naselle-Grays River Valley School District and to be a voice for students, parents, community members and educators affected by school board decisions.”

Condon’s family has lived in the Grays River area for the past four years. She and her husband have four children who attend the Naselle-Grays River Valley School.

“Our family specifically moved to this area to be in the Naselle School because of what we heard about it. Over the school years, I have volunteered for preschool, clubs, and in classrooms. I have witnessed first hand the dedication and commitment all faculty have for the kids and the school,” wrote Condon.

Queener served as a school board member for two years after being appointed to fill a vacant position in December 2000.

Queener said “my past experience serving on this board gives me a head start on the knowledge needed to fill this position. People new to school boards have many things to learn. I already have that knowledge.”

Queener works at the Grays River Salmon tHatchery, where he is a job steward for his local union and has been involved in the negotiation of union management bargaining agreements. He has lived in the Naselle School District for 19 years. His children graduated from Naselle High School.

Queener said one of the biggest issues facing the school district in the coming year will be hiring a permanent superintendent, and he wants to be part of the hiring process.

Additionally, because of the economy, Queener he believes “the board and administration will have to look carefully at the budget and spending to make sure that money is not being wasted or could be better spent.”

Queener is also interested in promoting vocational education and partnerships with vocational education resources in the community.

The positions of current school board members Deanna Gjovik and Gilbert Haataia are also up for election. Haataia is running unopposed and no one filed to run for Gjovik’s seat.