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Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that Kline’s replacement will run for reelection in 2027, not 2026.
School Board Director Frank Kline announced his resignation effective Sept. 1 in a letter read by Superintendent Grant Storey during a regularly scheduled school board meeting on Thursday. Kline dialed into the meeting by telephone but did not make any additional comments.
Kline gave no indication of why he is resigning from the school board. His letter read, in part:
Serving this community and supporting our schools has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Over the years, we’ve worked through challenges, expanded our educational programs, cultivated partnerships, celebrated successes, and remain steadfast in our commitment to expect, encourage, and facilitate the pursuit of excellence in our students, preparing them for a world in which lifelong learning is critical to their success and happiness. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been been a part of that journey.
As I reflect on my time serving as a member of the Methow Valley School District Board of Directors, I’m reminded of a quote that has guided my thinking all points along the way- “We invest in what we value- every student.” More than just a theory, this practice has shaped our decisions, guided our strategic allocation of our limited resources, strengthened our educational programs and fueled our collective commitment to students, families and educators. I trust that this approach will continue to serve as our compass moving forward.
Thank you for the privilege of serving alongside such passionate, thoughtful, and dedicated individuals. It has truly been an honor to be part of this work in this community. With gratitude, Frank Klein.
School Board Chair Dana Stromberger thanked Kline for his 21 years of service.
“We thank you with just deep wells of gratitude for your 20 years of service, 20 plus years of service, and how you’ve helped to shape this district and bring us to where we are, so we’re very grateful. We’re sorry to see you go, but understand that there are times to make tough decisions, so we gratefully accept your letter and we’ll take the appropriate steps upon your September first resignation date,” said Stromberger.
None of the other school board directors contributed any comments about Kline’s announcement.
Kline has was first elected to the school board in 2003 and most recently in 2023. He is also the branch manager and realtor at Coldwell Banker Realty in Winthrop.
Kline’s resignation comes one and a half years into a four year term. He holds an at-large position, meaning anyone registered to vote within the MVSD can apply for his position. The school board will conduct public interviews but deliberate on the candidates in private. Whoever is selected will need to run in an election in 2027, the next odd year election, according to Jamie Groomes, Chief Deputy Auditor of Okanogan County.
Kline’s announcement is the third resignation by a school board member in less than a year. Gary Marchbank, who was first elected to the school board in 2007, announced his resignation in late November. The school board selected Boo Schneider as his replacement in January.
Schneider, a former teacher and union representative, is running against Hilary Kaltenbach, a 20-year educator, on the November ballot. Kaltenbach is the program coordinator for the The Bush School’s Mazama campus and club leader of Methow Valley’s 4-H program.
The resignation comes on Storey’s first official meeting with the school board. The school board selected Storey in February to replace Tom Venable, who announced his resignation in early November and subsequently took on the role of executive director of Methow Housing Trust. The superintendent serves as the secretary to the school board. Storey assumed the superintendent’s role July 1.
