At its June 11 board meeting, the NWRESD board appointed Mjere Simantel to the social services position after Miriam Meneses-Rios stepped down because of a recent job change. 

Michelle Graham was re-elected to the Zone 4 position for a full four-year term after completing six months of a term that was vacated after a previous member retired. That zone represents all five school districts in Columbia County -- Clatskanie, Rainier, Scappoose, St. Helens and Vernonia -- and parts of Beaverton, including the Sunset and Westview High School attendance areas.

“I’m so pleased to welcome Mjere Simantel to our board and to have Michelle Graham join us for a full term,” says NWRESD Superintendent Dan Goldman. “These two public servants are proven community leaders and dedicated to our work. I’m especially looking forward to the partnerships we’ll continue to build in Columbia and Washington counties.” 

More About NWRESD’s Board

NWRESD is governed by a nine-member board. Five zoned members are elected by school boards from the represented zone. Four members are appointed by the zoned members. Appointed member positions include representation from the social services, higher education and business sectors. There is also an at-large position. 

Board members are volunteers and work closely with the superintendent to oversee policies and ensure the 20 component school districts in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties receive quality services.

Mjere Simantel - Appointed to Social Services

Mjere Simantel

As the director of Washington County’s Health and Human Services, Mjere (MEER-uh) Simantel manages an annual budget of $193 million and oversees a staff of 450. Her teams provide services to people across the lifespan, including veterans, older adults, parents with young children, and those with developmental disabilities or behavioral health conditions. She also oversees public health, animal services and solid waste and recycling programs. 

In this role, she often partners with NWRESD and its various programs and services. Over the past several years, she and her team have collaborated with our educators to reduce problem substance use, address mental health issues and prevent suicide among students. 

A dedicated public servant, her career spans more than two decades. She’s familiar with the inner workings of education service districts and got her start helping students facing barriers to employment transition out of high school and into the workforce as a youth transition coordinator with Clackamas Education Service District. She also spent eight years working at Willamette View, a retirement community in Portland, and eventually oversaw health care services before joining Washington County in 2017. 

Michelle Graham - Elected to Zone 4

Michelle Graham

Michelle Graham, who has served in the Zone 4 position since October of 2024, will continue in the position for another four-year term that begins July 1. She was also sworn in at the June 11 board meeting.

Michelle is a retired health care executive and intensive care nurse from Scappoose who has spent many years supporting education through board service. She was part of the Scappoose School District’s board for 16 years, including two terms as board chair. 

Michelle Graham is sworn in for a second term in the Zone 4 position, which represents Columbia County and some Beaverton School District attendance areas. 

She says she is thrilled to be joining the board for a second term. “I have now been on the board for 6 months and feel that this experience will continue to build on partnerships that I developed in my previous role.” 

Her term begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2029.