Current Montezuma-Cortez Re-1 school board members whose terms expire this year have been told to actively start recruiting their successors.<\/p>\n
At a workshop meeting last week, Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) media relations director Randy Black led a living room-style conversation with current board members as the district prepares for a leadership transition this fall. One seat was vacated in April after Diane Fox resigned, and four other seats come up for election in November.<\/p>\n
Re-1 Superintendent Alex Carter, who called for the discussion, said he didn\u2019t know what to tell current board member Sherri Wright when she approached him for advice after she had served three months on the board.<\/p>\n
Carter added that he wanted to help facilitate a smooth transition. To achieve that goal, Black challenged current board members to be proactive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe solution is in you to create the next board,\u201d Black told board members.<\/p>\n
Black subsequently offered three major tips, telling the board that they should encourage others to run and mentor them. He also advised potential candidates to engage with CASB officials to obtain greater awareness and understanding of what\u2019s entailed for being a board member. Black also recommended that school officials host \u201cdevelopment sessions\u201d with potential candidates.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a volunteer school board member is one of the toughest jobs in America,\u201d said Black. \u201cIt was a prestigious position decades ago, but today it\u2019s viewed as a chore.\u201d<\/p>\n
During last week\u2019s discussion, Pete Montano was the only Re-1 board member to publicly indicate that he was planned to seek re-election.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople have to be willing to make a difference,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Black added that the major role of any school board was to govern, and that members needed to maintain a reputation of excellence in the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is one of the better boards that I\u2019ve ever been on,\u201d said Jack Schuenemeyer.<\/p>\n
As the 45-minute discussion closed, Black indicated that child advocates made some of the best board members, because they were informed decision-makers.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop whining,\u201d Black said. \u201cOffer solutions. That\u2019s advocacy.\u201d<\/p>\n