The May 20 election for Lebanon residents will include races for seats in three special districts.
Six candidates are flying for three seats on the Lebanon Community School District Board of Directors, two per seat. They are: Lorlee Engler and Jason Fair, contending for the Zone 2 seat that is being vacated by Tom Oliver, who is not running again; Jackie Eberhart and Michael Martin, who are running for the Zone 3 being vacated by Aubree Molina, who also is not running again; and challenger Dominic Conti, who is running against incumbent Nichole Piland for the Zone 5 seat.
Because all the School Board races are competitive, Lebanon Local has emailed questionnaires to all the candidates. We received responses from four – Eberhart, Engler, Martin and Piland, and their verbatim answers can be found below.
In the Lebanon Rural Fire Protection District, incumbents Rob Boren (Position 4) and Wyatt King (Position 2) are running unopposed, as is newcomer Matt Herb for Position 1.
In the Lebanon Aquatic District, which operates Lebanon’s community swimming pool, located at Lebanon High School, incumbent Darla Bulmer is running unopposed for Position 5. The Position 4 seat is open, as incumbent Laurie Dennis is not running, and is being sought by Ross Dewberry and Julie Miller.
Five seats are open on the North Lebanon Water Control District Board of Directors. Matt Herb is running for Position 3, Gary Hull for Position 5, Buzz Mitchell for Position 6, Brandon Herb for Position 8 and Leslie Powell for Position 9. All are incumbents.
Lebanon Local emailed questionnaires to all six candidates running for seats on the Lebanon School Board. We received responses from four, and those can be seen below. The six candidates are:
Dominic Conti, who is running for the Zone 5 seat on the School Board.
Conti is also a member of the Lebanon City Council, elected in November 2024 to the Ward 1 seat.
His biography on the city website reports that he earned a utility scale engineering degree from Barstow College after graduating from Chippewa Valley High School, where he placed third nationwide in a Plymouth Troubleshooting Contest.
He is CEO of Conti Speed Sound and Kustoms in Lebanon and also operates the Variety Shop /Studio 17 downtown with his partner, Tara Blake.
He has been a technical director and editor for multiple hot rod and automotive enthusiast magazines.
Previously, he was developmental director and designer of electric vehicles for Good Earth Electric Vehicle Co., where he designed the first vehicle in history to travel 100 miles per charge with lead acid batteries (2005) and was dispatched to Lonkau, China, and Mexicali, Mexico, to develop assembly lines to build my design. He earned two U.S. patents through Good Earth, according to his biography.
Jackie Eberhart, 66, is running for the Zone 3 seat on the School Board.
She and her husband Scott have three children, two of whom live locally and another who lives with his family in Central Oregon. Two of their grandchildren attend Lebanon schools.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and a master’s degree in communication disorders at California State University Los Angeles and later earned a Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech Language Hearing Association.
Jackie Eberhart is a licensed speech language pathologist and is recently retired from working in public education, serving students ranging in age from kindergarten through 21.
She did therapy for 11 years and then served as a teacher on special assignment (TOSA) for the remainder of her career. She supported teachers, administrators and counselors, and helped students and their families “navigate challenges that come up related to school.”
She acted as a liaison between agencies and schools, serving on the Linn County Student Threat Assessment Team (STAT) for many years.
“I was able to engage with other agencies to help meet the needs of students. I have experience listening to differing opinions and assisting in creating working solutions.
“Another experience I bring to the job is working to ensure procedural compliance for special education. I reviewed documents for the State of Oregon Department of Education Systems Performance Review and Improvement. As a result of these reviews, I participated in developing professional development for teachers and administrators.”
She is active in her faith community, making connections for FACT with other women and their churches. She also shops for Lebanon’s Hygiene Closet, volunteers time each week at the Clothes Closet, which provides free clothing for local school-aged children.
“I am invested in the future of students in our community. I have had the opportunity to volunteer in my grandchildren’s classrooms.”
Lorlee Engler, 56, is running for the Zone 2 seat on the School Board.
She is married, with five grown children and two grandchildren.
A Lebanon High School graduate, she earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Portland State University.
She has served as executive director of the Lebanon Aquatic District for over 10 years and has 17 years experience as a high school swimming coach.
She is “actively engaged” in ministry and leadership roles at Ignite Hope Church in Lebanon, and has served as president of both the Lebanon Rotary Club and the Wapiti Bowmen Archery Club.
Jason Fair is a power plant electrician, according to his election filing document. He is a U.S. Navy retiree and graduated from Lebanon Christian School, then completing an A.A. degree in general studies at Central Texas College.
Michael W. Martin, 74, currently occupies the Zone 3 seat on the School Board.
He is married, with three children and five grandchildren.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Pacific Lutheran University and did graduate studies at the University of Washington and University of Oregon.
He spent 32 years in education, starting in Victoria, Australia, for two years (grades 7 through 12), followed by four years in Cut Bank, Montana (Grades 7 through 12). He then spent 26 years as a teacher in Oregon public schools for grades K-5.
Martin is also co-founder and, for 10 years, director of the Willamette Children’s Theater. He has served on the School Board for 15 years. He also volunteered for four years in Lebanon schools.
Nichole Piland, 48, is running for the Zone 5 seat she currently occupies on the School Board.
She is married, with four children and four grandchildren.
Her work experience includes employment with Linn county, Samaritan Health, the U.S. Navy and the Army National Guard.
Piland was appointed to the Lebanon School Board in March of 2022, was elected to the seat in the 2023 May election and is current board vice chair. She has also served on the Linn-Benton-Lincoln Educational Services District Budget Committee since 2022.
Why have you decided to run for office?
Dominic Conti – Did not respond.
Jackie Eberhart – I am recently retired from a 29-year career in education. I love Lebanon. I want to share my knowledge and experience in public education to support the students, teachers, administration and our community. I am able to bring insight into the unique needs in today’s classrooms.
Lorlee Engler – I am deeply committed to public service and believe in the power of community leadership to create meaningful change. With my background in organizational leadership, youth development, and civic involvement, I feel the time is right to step forward and serve in this important role.
Jason Fair – Did not respond.
Michael Martin – I am running for office because I have been involved in education for over 50 years and a teacher for many years. I love education. My greatest joy is to see children reach their potential and for them to know that they got it right, that they can compete. When children transform into young adults with knowledge, confidence and self-esteem, we know as adults that our education system was a success.
Nichole Piland – I previously volunteered on the board and made trips with a group called Mountaineer Outreach as the Treasurer. We took trips to the Philippines and would hike into remote villages to do medical clinics and donate school supplies. After the non-profit dissolved, I was looking for a way to give back in my community. Serving on the school board provides an opportunity to support our students in a meaningful way.
What, in your opinion, is the state of the Lebanon School District right now?
Nichole Piland – As a District we are in a comparatively strong financial position given the current financial climate. We do have facility issues that need to be addressed that will need additional funding.
The district has a strong leadership team, and over the last several years have made steady progress in our graduation rate, staff retention and opportunities that meet the needs of students such as AP Classes, CTE, Land Lab and Ralston Academy.
Dominic Conti – Did not respond.
Jackie Eberhart – Teachers are noticing that students require more support to pass classes. Teachers are wanting to help yet are stretched thin to provide that support because of increased needs for discipline and for help with other than academic needs in the last few years. Teachers seem to be connected and supportive of one another. In the schools that I have connections to the teachers are supported by their administration.
Lorlee Engler – The Lebanon School District is full of passionate and committed educators, administrators, and staff who work hard every day for our students. I want to support and advocate for them as they take on the vital and challenging work of helping our schools and students succeed.
Jason Fair – Did not respond.
Michael Martin – The school system in Lebanon needs to be on a well-designed path of improvement. Areas of concern include but not limited to- budgeting, staffing, support for teachers, program development, administrative reductions, curriculum evaluations and transparency.
What do you bring to the table that you believe would help Lebanon’s schools and students?
Michael Martin –
- Successful experience in the classroom
- Experience on the school board
- Respectful of differing opinions
- Continually seeking solutions to problems
- Creative solutions to thorny problems
- Success oriented with a focus on Procedure-Protocol and Policy
- -Transparency and integrity
Nichole Piland – I center my decisions around what is in the best interest of the students. I do not let my personal or political feelings direct my decisions. I have also had children that have graduated from LHS, so I also have the perspective of a parent.
Dominic Conti – Did not respond.
Jackie Eberhart – I believe that I bring the ability to listen to the concerns represented by our buildings and the direction that comes from the state. Together with fellow board members I will consider the financial, curricular and social/emotional needs represented. I will team to develop solutions that will result in growth for Lebanon’s students.
Lorlee Engler – As a fourth-generation Lebanon resident and a third-generation graduate of Lebanon High School—with all five of my children also graduating from LHS—I have deep roots in this community and a strong commitment to its future. I care deeply about our schools, our students, and the success of our town. I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back and serve in a role that supports the next generation.
Jason Fair – Did not respond.
What are the largest issues/challenges you see facing the Lebanon School District and, if elected, how do you intend to address those?
Jason Fair – Did not respond.
Michael Martin –
1. Potential budget cuts- 80% of a district budget is personnel. There would have to be staffing changes. First- freeze all spending that is non essential. Second- reduce administrative staff by 10-20%. Third- Meet with the certified and classified unions to seek their help. Fourth- Meet with community members and parents for input. Fifth- Begin the RIF process, Reduction in Force- keeping in mind the attrition of staff.
2. Facilities Replacement/Repair- Our facilities are aging and in need of repair. Replacement of buildings is costly and the economic environment is not favorable. Passing a bond to build schools is unlikely to be successful given the already high taxes in Lebanon. This effort will require communication with our community and business partners to come up with a workable solution.
Nichole Piland – Currently there are facility issues in our district. Many of our buildings are aging and the current state funding model creates challenges in terms of capital projects. The district has put together a facilities committee to evaluate the greatest needs.
Other challenges in our district include our high mobility, poverty and special ed rates, which are greater than the state average and not adequately accounted for in the state funding formula.
I intended to continue working with district leadership and elected officials to more effectively allocate existing funds and continuing to partner with community organizations to support families and students meet their basic needs.
Dominic Conti – Did not respond.
Jackie Eberhart – I understand that both classified and certified teams are beginning their bargaining process for their contracts. I think it is important to our students that we are able to support our teachers and negotiate well for all parties concerned.
I intend to listen well and do my best to support the issues that the students, their families, teachers and the administrations determine to address.
Lorlee Engler – One of the biggest challenges facing the Lebanon School District is navigating the economic pressures that impact many rural school districts, especially in the current financial climate. Additionally, state laws and mandates often create burdens that disproportionately affect smaller, rural schools. If elected, I will work to ensure that our district’s needs are clearly communicated to state leaders, advocate for local control where appropriate, and support responsible, community-focused budgeting to make the most of our resources.
Oregon’s K-12 education system, in general, has not scored highly in national rankings. What, if anything, would you like to see done locally to better prepare local students for life after high school?
Lorlee Engler – There are many factors behind Oregon’s education rankings, but one key locally is supporting families and meeting students’ broader needs. When students feel safe and supported, they’re better prepared for life after high school.
Jason Fair – Did not respond.
Michael Martin – Curriculum evaluation is much needed in the Math and Science subjects-many parents have brought this to light over the past 2 years indicating their children are not improving or understanding the concepts. At the K-5 grades we should take a “back to basics” approach. We as a district can do much better than we are doing. Reading and Math scores on state tests have been unchanged at the K-5 level for at least 10 years. (33% at benchmark-33% at risk-33% high risk). I know we can do better. Graduation rates should be at nearly 100%. They fluctuate over the years but should always be higher than they are.
Possible solutions include-early identification of students falling behind, immediate support for those students- Credit recovery in-school, teacher/student mentors and alternative credits to meet requirements.
What would be helpful to prepare students for life after high school?
- Mandatory work experience.
- Experience success in high school.
- Good communication skills.
- Excellent social skills, including experiencing failure and success.
- Reliability – knowing and understanding the importance of being on time.
Nichole Piland –I would like to see our Pre-school program continue to grow to help give kids early access to education. Our district is outpacing others in terms of improved graduation rates. I would also like to continue to enhance our CTE, AG and other programs that focus on the real-world skills students need to be successful, whether they attend college or not.
Dominic Conti – Did not respond.
Jackie Eberhart – The district website indicates that Lebanon’s graduation rate in increasing. The elective opportunities need to remain broad to engage students in interests that will engage them. I think it is important to continue to support the Land Lab and CTE programs.