Lake Pend Oreille School District trustees voted unanimously to appoint David DeMers to the board's Zone 4 seat during its annual meeting Tuesday.

DeMers, a retired former teacher and administrator at Sandpoint Middle School and Sandpoint High School, was one of two candidates interviewed at the start of the meeting. After the vote, DeMers was sworn in by board clerk Kelly Fisher and served on the board for the remainder of the meeting. 

In addition to working in the district for 33 years, DeMers is a graduate of SHS and has spent time as the school’s dean of students, athletic director and head track and field coach. 

In his interview, DeMers told trustees and attendees that he viewed updating aging facilities as a need in the district and emphasized the importance of state dollars to fund the work. 

“We have to have it to where, when a kid walks through that building, and the parents take that child through there, that they know their child is going to be safe,” DeMers said. 

Trustees noted DeMers’ experience working in the district and contributing to the community as a distinguishing factor in their decision. 

DeMers will serve for the remainder of former trustee Geraldine Lewis’ term, which expires at the end of 2027.