Central Valley School Board, District 5
Election Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Pam Orebaugh | 6,805 | 36.97% |
| Mark Bitz | 6,764 | 36.75% |
| Rob Linebarger | 4,838 | 26.28% |
* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.
The Candidates
Pam Orebaugh
- Age:
- 55
- City:
- Liberty Lake, Washington
Education: Graduated from Big Sky (Montana) High School in 1988. Earned a bachelor’s in nursing from the University of Hawaii in 1992. Earned a master’s in nursing with an education emphasis from Aspen University in 2020.
Political experience: Elected for seat on the Central Valley School Board in 2021.
Work experience: Works as a nurse educator since 2017, but declined to say at which institution. Previously worked as the lead faculty nurse educator for obstetric nursing at the Washington State University College of Nursing. Worked as a flight nurse for over 10 years, and other roles as a registered nurse in units including neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric intensive care unit, emergency room and labor and delivery. Volunteer experience includes three years as a lead medical volunteer at a local church. Sits on the board for Clinical Placements Northwest. Sits on the board for Clinical Placements Northwest.
Family: Married to Chad Orebaugh. Has five children who have attended Central Valley Schools, the youngest still enrolled in the district. Has three grandkids.
Campaign finance: Reported raising $3,445 as of June 27, 2025, including $160 from Jeff Brooks, who lost a race for a seat on the Central Valley School Board in 2023.
Mark Bitz
- Age:
- 67
- City:
- Liberty Lake, Washington
Education: Graduated from Big Sandy (Montana) High School in 1976. Earned a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Montana State University in 1981. Earned a master’s in teaching from Whitworth University in 2011. Earned a career and technical education certification from Eastern Washington University in 2014.
Work experience: Retired public school teacher. Worked from 2010 to 2023, including 10 years as a manufacturing, engineering and physics teacher at Spokane Valley Tech. Worked at Hewlett-Packard from 1981 to 2009 in several roles, including a patented inventor, quality auditor, business system design, project management, team director and research in development. Managed his family’s wheat farm during summers through high school and college. Volunteered in his kids’ schools from 1990-2001. Sits on the Spokane Nordic Ski Association board.
Political experience: First run for office.
Family: Married to Jane Bitz. Has two children who graduated from Central Valley schools.
Campaign finance: Reported raising $3,858 as of June 17, 2025, including a $200 donation from current Central Valley board member Tere Landa.
Rob Linebarger
- Age:
- 59
- City:
- Liberty Lake, Washington
Education: Graduated from Riverside High School in 1984 and earned a bachelor’s in business administration from Oregon State University in 1993. Earned a master’s in strategic studies from the Naval War College in 2004. Earned a master’s certificate in Program Management from George Washington University in 2009.
Work experience: Served in the Navy from 1985 to 2008, including combat tours post-9/11. Currently working Works at Cisco Systems.
Political experience: Ran for Central Valley School Board in 2021, but endorsed his challenger, Pam Orebaugh, in the November election. Chair of the Spokane County Republican Party since 2024. Republican precinct committee officer since 2022.
Family: Married to Kate Alva. Has six children; two graduated from Central Valley Schools. Has four grandchildren.
Campaign finance: Reported raising $775 to the Public Disclosure Commission as of June 27, 2025..
Complete Coverage
Trades and trans athletes: There’s a lot that distinguishes the candidates for Central Valley School Board
The challenger in a race for Central Valley School Board seeks to end division in the community over what he characterizes as politically motivated actions that the incumbent defends.
McCollam gets most votes among Republican officers to Spokane County prosecutor’s office
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Spokane County GOP to advance nominees to replace Larry Haskell, lead Spokane County prosecution
By Monday, the Spokane County Commission will know what nominees they’ll choose from to lead the prosecutor’s office.
Incumbent and retired teacher challenger advance in Central Valley School Board primary
The chairman of the Spokane County Republican Party on Tuesday lost his bid to join the Central Valley School Board.
Incumbent in Central Valley School Board election faces former conservative ally, retired teacher in sole county school board primary
In the lone school board primary in Spokane County, the race includes the incumbent, her former ally and a retired teacher looking to promote compromise in an increasingly divisive political atmosphere.
Conservative incumbent files to retain seat on Central Valley School Board, running against former ally
Incumbent Pam Orebaugh has filed to retain her seat on the Central Valley School Board.
Contests for Spokane Valley City Council shaping up (and other updates for candidate filing week)
While a couple days remain for interested candidates to throw their hats in the ring, it’s already clear the Spokane Valley City Council will look a little different next year.
GOP chair files for Central Valley School Board as candidate filing week starts
Four years ago, after Rob Linebarger and Pam Orebaugh emerged as the top two candidates in a primary election for a Central Valley School Board seat, Linebarger stepped aside, saying Orebaugh was the better choice, especially compared to a write-in candidate they opposed.
Spokane schools, parks have released their $440 million plan. Now they need to convince voters.
An ambitious $440 million plan to invest in parks and schools in every corner of the city may require a big lift to convince tax-weary voters.
Who will replace Michael Baumgartner? Spokane County GOP releases names, questionnaires for potential new Spokane County treasurer
The candidates being considered for a nomination to be Spokane County’s next treasurer include a pair of treasurer’s office employees, some previous contenders for public office and a few political newcomers.
Congressman-elect Michael Baumgartner endorses replacement county treasurer; county GOP pledges appointment is wide open
The Spokane County Republican Party will reject “cronyism” and consider applications from anyone eligible for appointment as the county treasurer after Congressman-elect Michael Baumgartner vacates that seat in January, said Rob Linebarger, a member of party leadership.