Current Montezuma-Cortez Re-1 school board members whose terms expire this year have been told to actively start recruiting their successors.
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.
Re-1 Superintendent Alex Carter, who called for the discussion, said he didn’t know what to tell current board member Sherri Wright when she approached him for advice after she had served three months on the board.
Carter added that he wanted to help facilitate a smooth transition. To achieve that goal, Black challenged current board members to be proactive.
“The solution is in you to create the next board,” Black told board members.
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’s entailed for being a board member. Black also recommended that school officials host “development sessions” with potential candidates.
“Being a volunteer school board member is one of the toughest jobs in America,” said Black. “It was a prestigious position decades ago, but today it’s viewed as a chore.”
During last week’s discussion, Pete Montano was the only Re-1 board member to publicly indicate that he was planned to seek re-election.
“People have to be willing to make a difference,” he said.
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.
“This is one of the better boards that I’ve ever been on,” said Jack Schuenemeyer.
As the 45-minute discussion closed, Black indicated that child advocates made some of the best board members, because they were informed decision-makers.
“Stop whining,” Black said. “Offer solutions. That’s advocacy.”
tbaker@cortezjournal.com