Board appoints Tressa Watts and administers oath at special meeting

The Kiona‑Benton City School District board interviewed candidate Tressa Watts in a special meeting and approved her appointment to the board, then administered the oath of office.

Watts told the panel she has decades of involvement with district activities and coaching, and professional experience in sleep lab operations. In the interview she said she wanted "to accomplish some transparency for the town so that people in the community realize what is really going on." The board then voted to approve her appointment and the oath was administered: "I, Tressa Watts, do hereby solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States... and will faithfully discharge the duties of director of Kiona‑Benton City School District," Watts repeated as instructed.

Board members welcomed Watts. The moderator noted the district again had five seated board members and thanked those involved in the appointment process. The board did not adopt any additional policy action tied to the appointment at the meeting; the administration noted upcoming agenda items would proceed at the regular meeting.

The appointment followed an interview in which Watts described her family history in the area, coaching and volunteer experience, and said she was available for board meetings despite working graveyard shifts. The board discussed reappointment timing and confirmed the seat will come up for election in 2027 under the district's appointment rules.

No formal challenges to the appointment were recorded. The board moved on to regular agenda items after the oath.