Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
On Aug. 20, James Dale was interviewed by the Shelton School Board as one of four applicants for an open position on the board. On Tuesday night, he was appointed to represent District 1 on the five-member board. Superintendent Wyeth Jessee is at center left, and counter clockwise are board members Keri Davidson, Matt Welander, Becky Cronquist and Lauren Gilmore.
James Dale, the executive pastor at Shelton First Baptist Church, is the newest member of the Shelton School Board.
On Tuesday evening, the Shelton School Board appointed Dale to represent District 1 on the five-member board during its regular meeting in the Mountain View Elementary School cafeteria. He replaces Karla Knudsen-Johnston, who announced her resignation at the June 25 board meeting.
Dale's appointment extends to the November 2025 election, when the position will appear on the ballot to fulfill the rest of the two-year unexpired term through 2027.
Dale is one of four people who applied for the position. Dale, Jessica Brissette, Charles Flanagan and Keri Bell were interviewed at a board study session Aug. 20 at CHOICE High School. The board then discussed the applicants in a closed executive session.
Dale, 46, has lived in Shelton since the age of 4. He attended Evergreen Elementary School and was then homeschooled. He graduated from the Running Start program in 1996.
At age 18, Dale joined the workforce and spent 15 years as the primary tech at Timberdoodle. He earned a degree at Grand Canyon University.
Dale's wife, Julia, teaches kindergarten at Mountain View Elementary. Their two sons, Rob and Ezekiel, are both graduates of Shelton High School.
Dale was the youth minister at Shelton Baptist for eight years, and for the past three years has been the executive pastor.
In an interview with the Journal on Tuesday afternoon, Dale said, "This year, I've been thinking of ways to serve this community outside these walls." That's when he saw the posting for the open school board position.
"I have a passion for our teens and often they're portrayed in a negative light," Dale said.
Dale said he's attended board meetings in person and watched others online. "I think we have amazing teachers," he said.
Asked to name challenges the district is facing, Dale replied, "Behavior seems challenging. When I talk to teachers, behavior comes up ... If we have thriving teachers, we have thriving students."
He added, "I come in as a learner. I want to ask good questions ... I want to understand."
Reader Comments(0)