QUILCENE — The Quilcene School Board has appointed a new member to its at-large Position 5.
Trisha Freiberg was unanimously selected out of three candidates Wednesday night during a special meeting.
Freiberg will fill the position until the November general election. She replaces Shona Davis, who resigned March 6 due to family and work considerations, Quilcene Superintendent Frank Redmon said.
The other candidates for the vacant seat were Bonnie Hitt and David Neuenschwander.
“I’m excited and looking forward to being able to help shape the future of Quilcene Schools for the kids,” Freiberg said. She immediately took the vacant seat at the table and read the oath of office.
All three candidates were interviewed individually by the four sitting members of the Quilcene School Board and Redmon. They answered the same 12 questions and had an opportunity to ask their own.
Freiberg, a licensed massage therapist, said she typically likes to listen before she speaks in meeting settings. She added her main goal is to assist students who attend the school.
“I’d like to see the kids have the ability to become who they’re meant to be in an environment where we’re all communicating in a healthy way,” Freiberg told board members during her interview.
Freiberg has a certificate from Columbia Bible College in outdoor discipleship, according to her submitted application materials. She and her husband have two girls who attend the elementary school.
Hitt served on the School Board from July 2009 through December 2013. She’s also served on the school’s career and technical education advisory board and volunteered to be the store manager for the performing arts program, according to her application.
Neuenschwander, a reserve officer in the U.S. Marines, has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in business administration from University of California-Los Angeles. He owned and operated a quick print shop for 19 years, according to his application.
Before she nominated Freiberg for the appointment, School Board member Vivian Kuehl said she appreciated all three candidates.
“I think we have an excellent pool,” Kuehl said. “It’s hard to make a decision.”
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 week to file for office with the Jefferson County elections division is May 13-17.
Quilcene has three districts within its boundary and two at-large positions.
Those who are interested in learning more about open board positions can call Redmon at 360-765-2902.
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Jefferson County Managing Editor Brian McLean can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 6, or at bmclean@peninsuladailynews.com.
