All three school board seats are up for grabs

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – The deadline to file as a candidate for the Pendleton School District Board of Directors is fast approaching for the election in May.

“Three board members are not going to run for reelection,” Superintendent Chris Fritsch said of the seven-member board. “Anyone interested in running for the Pendleton School Board needs to know the filing deadline is Thursday.”

Fritsch said the members who are choosing to retire will be missed.

“Debbie McBee is leaving after, I believe, 12 years,” he said. “Steve Umbarger is leaving after at least 11 years. Gary George is also not going to run again.”

Those are the three positions up for election this year. Other board members, whose terms expire in 2023 are Dale Freeman, Lynn Lieuallen, Julie Muller, and Mason Murphy.