Andrew J. Byerly sworn in to fill Zone 1 seat on Newberg School District board

The Newberg School District Board of Directors appointed Andrew J. Byerly to the vacant Zone 1 position and administered the oath of office at the March 11 meeting.

Byerly, who was sworn in during the meeting, told the board he has lived in the district for about 20 years, taught in the district for nine years and has served in multiple roles in education. He said he currently works at the Oregon Department of Education as a math assessment specialist and has been active in district schools as a parent and volunteer.

During a round-robin interview with board members before the appointment, Byerly emphasized priorities he would bring to the board: financial stability for the district and a renewed focus on classroom instruction and academic programs. "I am excited to be talking about what's going on in classrooms and what we can do to impact students, not about high-level things that aren't impacting students," he said.

Byerly confirmed on the record that he has filed his candidacy for the seat in the spring 2025 election and has already contacted the Oregon Government Ethics Commission and his agency human resources to check for conflicts. He told the board there may be topics requiring recusal because of his employment at the Oregon Department of Education, and he would follow applicable ethics rules.

The board voted unanimously to appoint Byerly (motion and second on the record). Following the vote, he took the oath of office and took a seat with the board during the meeting.

Why this matters: The appointment fills a board vacancy and restores a full board membership, giving the district a complete panel for votes and committee assignments at a time when the board is addressing budget, facilities and program decisions.

Ending: Byerly will serve until the next election for the seat; he has already filed to run in that contest, as required for an appointed member who wishes to remain in office by election.