A trio of candidates will assume spots on the board of directors for the Chehalem Park and Recreation District following the May 20 special election. (Staff file photo)

Results released Tuesday evening by the Yamhill County Clerk’s Office show Andy Byerley with a nearly 31% lead over David Russ

The race for the lone open spot on the Newberg-Dundee school board of directors was all but decided Tuesday evening after the first tally of votes was released by the Yamhill County Clerk’s Office.

In the race for Zone 1 on the board, Andy Byerley outdistanced former Dundee Mayor David Russ by nearly 31% in the initial count of votes released at 8 p.m. Updates are expected Wednesday morning and again next week, but Russ faces a difficult task in making up ground against his challenger.

Byerley garnered 65.3% of the 5,202 votes cast in the election, while Russ tallied 34.6%.

County officials began mailing ballots for the May 20 special election April 30, and included on those documents is a charge to voters to determine the complexion of the Newberg-Dundee school board going forward.

Although three spots are open on the school board, the Zone 1 race is only one contested position.

Other spots uncontested on school board

As Zone 4 incumbent Nancy Woodward did not file for reelection, Celeste Jones is running unopposed for the spot. She took 98.2% of the votes, as of 8 p.m.

The sole filer for the Zone 5 spot is Aubrey Nichols, who was appointed to the position in June 2024. She took 98.2% of the votes, as of 8 p.m.