Dedicated volunteer Andrew Labonte was welcomed as the newest member of the Gladstone School Board; he was sworn in to a vacant position during the board’s March 12 meeting after a unanimous vote to appoint him on Feb. 26.
Labonte’s volunteerism involves dedicating many hours to various boards in Gladstone and throughout Clackamas County. He’s been a volunteer for John Wetten Elementary’s Backpack Buddies program and Kraxberger Middle School’s cross country team.
Labonte has served on the city of Gladstone’s Traffic Safety Advisory Board along with its Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Board. With experience over 22 years working in traffic safety education, Labonte volunteered for Clackamas County’s Traffic Safety Advisory Board before being elected in 2024 to serve on the Gladstone City Council.
Labonte’s children are 11 and 15 years old and have attended Gladstone School District programs for most of their academic lives. He said that a highly functioning school system encourages positivity from staff and safety for all.
Labonte envisions that Gladstone will continue to offer supportive learning environments that challenge students and adapt to individual student needs that may change from day-to-day.
“Leadership is critical in any high functioning endeavor,” he said. “Quality leadership demonstrates and encourages honest and clear communication, establishes attainable, well-defined goals, and ensures accountability for students, teachers and leadership as we work together to achieve those goals.”
Labonte expressed excitement for the opportunity to be an effective school board member and a more informed citizen.
“My goal is always to be respectful, prepared, well-informed, open-minded and curious. I enjoy the collaboration and I always assume the best intentions of fellow members and the community,” he said.