LAPS Board candidates Elisa Baker. left, and Stephanie Galvez listen as LAPS Superintendent Jennifer Guy speaks during Monday night’s school board forum. Candidate Katie Mussack attended virtually. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
From left, LAPS Board President Sondra Wyman, Vice President Lauren Coupland, Secretary Melanie Colgan and member Antonio Jaurigue ask questions to applicants seeking the open board seat in District 1 during a forum Monday night in the board meeting room. Applicants for the seat previously held by Margie Serrato, include Elisa Baker, right, Stephanie Galvez, far right, and Katie Mussack, who attended virtually. The board will appoint one of the applicants on April 14. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Staff Report
Elisa Baker, Stephanie Galvez and Katie Mussack applied for consideration to fill a vacancy on the Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) Board. They participated in a forum on Monday in the district’s board meeting room on Trinity Drive.
The seat in question would represent District 1, which includes Pinon Elementary School. Margie Serrato originally held the seat but resigned due to “pressing family obligations that demand an expeditious relocation,” according to a LAPS press release.
The forum featured opening statements from the three candidates and several rounds of questions. The board will choose a candidate to fill the seat during its April 14 meeting.
Mussack kicked things off, saying, “I applied for this position because I care about the students, and the teachers and the staff. I would like to do my part for education in our community, and I see this really as a role of service so for me the goal is to represent the needs of our community and to advocate for staff and families in our schools.”
Galvez said, “I believe deeply in the power of strong schools to build a strong community. I bring nearly 25 years of professional experience managing complex projects, leading diverse teams and overseeing multi-million dollar budgets. In addition to my work experience, I’ve also given back to my community by volunteering. Los Alamos has been my home and my connection to our schools spans generations. I’m a graduate of Los Alamos … and now my own children are following the same path …”
Baker said, “As far as why the school board, quite honestly, I have been looking for an opportunity to contribute to this town in some way. I think I got some skills that might be of some use … what I provide I would say, I am a very rational thinker … I am very well versed in understanding complex problems, getting down to the root of what really matters, and trying to do our best to reach consensus but at the same time recognizing that at the end of the day a decision needs to be made, and we need to move forward and it has to be a unified decision and how to communicate that …”
Highlights from the question & answer rounds included these questions from school board members:
What are the candidates’ priorities?
Galvez said the number one priority is the students, following by setting a budget and spending appropriately.
Baker said the number one priority is setting policy as well as communicating the board’s intentions and supporting students by listening to them and acknowledging what they are saying.
Mussack said for her, the number one priority is focusing on what the community feels is important.
How would the candidates handle a controversial issue?
Galvez said she believes everyone has a valued opinion and it is important to make decisions for students and teachers.
Baker said it is important to come from a honest and truthful place when making decisions. She added the board needs to acknowledge the value in everyone’s comments.
Mussack said the board needs to address diverse opinions and embrace collaboration and teamwork while solving problems.
The candidates were also given the chance to ask the board questions.
It was asked what influence the board has to make an actual difference in the schools. The board listed its strategic plan, setting policies and serving on various committees as ways it makes an impact.
When asked about challenges, board members said it can be difficult to shuffle between being a school board member and a parent and change can come but it can be at a glacial pace.
Concluding the forum, board members praised each of the candidates, saying it would be a tough decision to pick just one.