By News-Register staff • 

One incumbent, one newcomer win in Y-C

YAMHILL — Susan FitzGerald defeated incumbent Ron Gelbrich for Position 3 on the Yamhill-Carlton School Board in final returns Tuesday night

But incumbent Tim Pfeiffer turned back a challenge from Charles McCord for the Position 2 seat.

FitzGerald, an educator, was leading Gelbrich, a real estate broker, 812 to 624, or about 56.5 percent to 43.5 percent. Pfeiffer, a farmer, was topping McCord, who raises beef on a 30-acre family spread, 880 to 636, or about 58 percent to 42 percent.

Frank Kraaz did not seek re-election in Position 3 four years ago, so Gelbrich ran unopposed.

FitzGerald and her husband moved to Oregon from Hawaii. They have made their home in Yamhill for about eight years.

She serves, under contract with Portland-based Education Northwest, as a leadership coach for a trio of K-5 schools in East Portland's Parkrose School District. They have been designated as "focus" schools by the Oregon Department of Education, based on struggles with academic achievement.

She has served as an alternate to the district's budget committee, and holds a seat on the local education foundation board. 

FitzGerald is interested in helping spearhead efforts to get a bond issued passed, citing substantial building needs. She said her biggest areas of professional expertise are curriculum and instruction, and she would strive to help the district excel there.

Pfeiffer defeated Mike Lawson for the Position 2 seat four years ago, after it was vacated by then board chair Kevin Webb.

He has lived in the area for about 60 years and operated 1,300-acre Pfeiffer Farms for more than 35 years.

He and his wife, Maryalice, are both 1971 grads of the local high school. She is retiring from a job at district office after a 26-year run.

During Pfeiffer’s four years on the board, the district has hired a new superintendent in addition to new principals at the high school and intermediate school. Those administrators have been charged by the board with improving the graduation rate at the high school, and Pfeiffer said progress is being made.

One of his biggest goals, looking ahead, is to get a bond measure on the November ballot and get it passed. He said district facilities are in dire need of attention.


 

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