Dan Smith, Seat 1

I am a 1997 graduate of Lyle High School. Upon graduating from Washington State University, I returned to the Columbia Gorge to begin my teaching career in Glenwood and later in White Salmon. I am currently the Dean of Students and Athletic Director at Klickitat Schools.

I married my wife, Michele, in 2003. We have 2 teenage sons. Our oldest, Michael, is a freshman at Washington State University and our youngest, Colyn, is a sophomore at Columbia High School. Both keep us busy with their various activities, sports and hobbies.

As a student at Lyle High School, I remember building strong relationships with my teachers and coaches; many of whom I keep in contact with today. I received an education at Lyle that allowed me to have choices to be successful in life. My goal as a board member for the Lyle School District is to ensure that students are prepared to face their future with the skills necessary to succeed.

Barbara Mills, Seat 2 

Vice-Chairperson

I am a life time resident of the Lyle School District and I have been a volunteer in the school system since my children were in school. My desire as a board member is to help students have a positive school experience and help to make sure our staff have what they need to educate our students so they have the ability to succeed in what ever comes next whether higher education or the work force.

Traci Waddington, Seat 3

Board Chairperson

Mark Harvey, Seat 4

Legislative Liaison

Marc Harvey has lived in the mid-Columbia Gorge for four decades and served on multiple non-profit boards.  He was selected by the board to fill the seat on September 22, 2021. He applied, he says, because “Education is critical to our community and nation."

He has served on several major Lyle area boards: He was a founding board member of the Lyle Community Council in 2018 and also served on the Old Lyle Elementary School Supporters (OLESS) board, which manages the Lyle Activity Center. He served as a port commissioner for the Port of Klickitat for six years.

In addition to the Lyle School District Board of Directors, Mr. Harvey currently serves on the Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group, a volunteer group focused on supporting salmon habitat restoration with oversight from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. He also is an appointee to the Klickitat County Citizen Review Committee, which reviews county grant applications for salmon restoration.

Mr. Harvey moved to the mid-Columbia Gorge from his native Alabama in 1981 and recently retired from his job with Full Sail Brewing Company. 

Mark Vorce, Seat 5

Ann Varkados, Ed.D.

Superintendent

After starting her career as an elementary teacher, Dr. Varkados served as a principal for schools in the Kalama and Bethel School Districts. She was later hired as Bethel’s Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction and, later, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning.  She has also worked for the state superintendent's office as a school improvement effort specialist.

Dr. Varkados joined Lyle School District in July of 2018 as the Interim Superintendent and was appointed Superintendent in December of that year.

A resident of Vancouver, Washington, Dr. Varkados also currently serves as Centerville's superintendent two days a month. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Washington State University and two education degrees from the University of Portland.