2025 School Board Candidates
There are three Board seats available. You will be sent a link to access an electronic ballot to vote for up to three candidates. If you do not receive your ballot, please contact Lauren Crawford (lcrawford@palouseprairieschool.org).
The election will run between Wednesday, May 21, – Thursday, June 5, 2025. Board Election results will be certified at the PPCS Board’s June meeting on June 23rd, and the new Board members (and existing Board members) will begin the School Year in July.
Christine Gilmore is a long-time Moscow resident with over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She has led organizations through transformational growth by balancing visionary leadership with strong fiscal stewardship. She currently serves as the Director of Leadership and Community Engagement at Rural Development Initiatives, empowering community members to take on local leadership roles. Christine previously served as Executive Director of the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, where she guided its transformation from a fledgling nonprofit to a professional community-centric arts organization. She has held leadership roles with the Moscow Arts Commission, Moscow Contemporary, the Alternative Giving Market of the Palouse, and is currently the past chair for the Latah County Community Foundation. A University of Idaho graduate with degrees in Music Business and Music Performance, Christine is also a Certified Change Leader through the Idaho Commission on the Arts and a graduate of RDI’s Rural Community Leadership Program. She has three children—including a proud second grader at Palouse Prairie—and a lively household of pets. An accomplished cellist, she enjoys performing with her band A Minor Issue throughout the community.
Laura Heinse, PhD, has three kids at PPCS including Sophie in 6th grade and Otto and Reija in 1st grade. She has been a member of the PPCS Board since 2022 and has served as secretary, treasurer, and fundraising committee chair, where she is responsible for leading the annual appeal and writing grants to bring in $30,000 annually to support our general fund. She is a Performance Management and Quality Improvement Specialist at Washington Department of Health in her other life. She loves the EL model and PPCS because it gets kids outdoors learning about how to be confident and empathetic team members. She also helps facilitate and implement the PPCS strategic plan and is a strong advocate for inclusion and support in the classroom.
Juan Bernardo Albaitero is excited to run for a third term on the Palouse Prairie Charter School Board. For the past six years, he’s proudly supported PPCS as a board member, parent, and active member of our school community.
Originally from Mexico City, raised in Cuernavaca, and trained as an archaeologist, he’s led research projects, written grants, and managed teams—all skills I bring to the board.He’s also a hands-on problem-solver, using background in construction and planning (thanks to his civil engineer father!) to help with projects like the school playground.
Juan is the proud father of three PPCS students—two graduates and one soon-to-be 8th grader. He currently work as a behavioral interventionist at Moscow Charter School, after previously serving at Pullman Community Montessori. This experience gives him insight into the diverse needs and challenges schools face today.
Juan believes deeply in the EL Education model and the power of CREW. PPCS is a place where diversity is celebrated, students thrive, and families are truly connected.
Looking ahead, he envisions PPCS as a growing, thriving school of choice—financially sustainable, culturally inclusive, and professionally appealing to top-tier educators. “I am proud to support our incredible staff and eager to continue championing our mission.”