Challenger leads in school board race

At least one Nespelem school board member could be in jeopardy of losing his seat after Tuesday’s primary election.

Challenger Nancy J. Armstrong-Montes received 69 votes compared to 31 for longtime school board member Andrew C. Joseph, Jr. Joseph is also a member of the tribal Colville Business Council.

A third candidate, Zekkethal “Val” Vargas-Thomas, got 11 votes.

Montes is a retired school teacher and her strong primary support indicates that there might be interest in change for the district. The Position 5 seat is for four years.

In another Nespelem School Board race, incumbent P. Jolene Marchand got 52 votes, to Dorothy Palmer’s 33 and Enid T. Wippel’s 27.

Armstrong-Montes and Joseph go to the general election in that race and Marchand defends her post against Palmer in November.

A total of 111 votes were counted Tuesday and the next and final count is Friday.