Newest Board members sworn in at White Salmon Valley School District
By Ken Park
The White Salmon Valley School District swore in its newest board members during its last meeting of 2023.
Matt Byrne, Kris Ostness, and Laurie Stanton were sworn into their newly won seats on the WSVSD board following their respective election victories.
Byrne beat his opponent, Mike Hughes, with 69 percent of the vote.
Ostness beat his opponent, Andrew Chapman, with 84 percent of the vote.
Stanton, the incumbent candidate, maintained her spot on the board, beating her opponent, Todd Andrews, with 73 percent of the vote in November.
Ostnss has been a long-time ski instructor, including offering ski instruction for kids on Mt. Hood.
Kris Ostness
When not on the slopes, Ostness has been an accomplished filmmaker who has traveled around the world. In recent years, he has produced promotional videos for the White Salmon Valley pool and several local businesses.
“I want the White Salmon Valley School District to have a stellar reputation, where parents and caregivers want to send their children and where teachers are valued and supported,” Ostness said.
Ostness’s children are students in the district.
Matt Byrne
Matt Byrne is a cross-river rival Hood River Valley High School graduate; after high school, he attended the University of Oregon, earning his undergraduate degree in Human Physiology. He later earned his graduate degree in International Public Health from the University of Sydney.
Upon his return to the Columbia River Gorge, Byrne worked for Greater Oregon Behavioral Health and Columbia Gorge Community College.
“As someone who has spent their professional life working in behavioral health and community services, I know firsthand the challenges many of our students and families are experiencing in and out of the classroom. I am committed to ensuring our teachers and school staff have the resources and tools needed to keep our students in a stable learning environment and thrive,” Byrne said.
Laurie Stanton
Laurie Stanton has served on the WSVSD for the last six years. She has worked as a speech pathologist in school settings for the past 25 years and is also a graduate of Columbia High School.
“After six years on the White Salmon Valley School Board, I am even more committed to the meaningful work yet to be done,” Stanton said. “When our schools have endured significant change and trauma, it is critical to stay involved to ensure every student receives the education they need, the staff is supported and stable, the community is involved, and the district conducts its business transparently.”
The three were sworn in by exiting board member Alan Reitz, who served on the WSVSD Board for nine years and was the board chair.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Stanton was nominated and elected by the board to serve as the board chair in Reitz’s place.
Board member Peter Harkena, elected to the board in 2021, was nominated and elected to serve as the Vice-Chair.
Finally, the board elected Matt Byrne as the district's legislative representative.
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