Veltri named as new WIAA executive board member

By PAUL DELANEY

Staff Reporter

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) announced the additions of Dr. Pam Veltri and Leta Meyer to the WIAA Executive Board, filling vacant positions previously held by George Juarez and Michele Webb.

Veltri, the Superintendent for the Medical Lake School District, will become the Region C representative, while Meyer, the Athletic Director at Heritage High School, will be the at-large representative.

“Last year we went over and presented an appeal for our classification,” Veltri said. “I must have done a nice job because (District 7 director) Russ Brown told me about the opening.”

Veltri is a big backer of athletics and extra curricular activities. “I've seen such a difference in kids when they are involved in athletics,” she said. “It develops camaraderie, how to collaborate and work together. It develops leadership skills.”

Veltri said she will have, “quite a learning curve,” but it will be lessened somewhat because of familiarity with the “quite worn” WIAA handbook.

Veltri led the district through their unsuccessful attempt this past winter to move Medical Lake High School from 2A to 1A. Medical Lake was just a few students away from the break between the two classifications with trends indicating continued decline in enrollment.

A native of Priest River, Idaho, Veltri has been an administrator for the Medical Lake School District for 14 years. Prior to her role as the Superintendent, Veltri was the Assistant Superintendent and Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Special Programs. She began her career in education as an elementary teacher in Wallace, Idaho.

Meyer, currently in her 11th year at Heritage, has been a Rep. Assembly member for four years.

Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].