NancyAnn Holmes, new District 3 School Board Member, gives her opening statement during Thursday evening’s selection process. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Board members Jim Hall, center, and Kevin Honnell congratulate NancyAnn Holmes on her selection as the District 3 representative on the School Board. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
 

The Los Alamos School Board has chosen NancyAnn (Nan) Holmes to serve the remainder of David Foster’s term representing District 3 on the Board.

Foster resigned because he is moving from town. His term ends in March. A School Board election will take place in February for three of the five seats on the Board.

The other three candidates were Caroline Boyle, Shelby Redondo and Keeley Miller Power. Board member’s praised all four candidates after they gave statements and answered questions posed by the Board.

“It’s hard to choose between four diamonds,” Board Vice President Kevin Honnell said.

Caroline Boyle gives her introductory remarks during the selection process. Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

The Board narrowed its choices to Boyle and Holmes and deadlocked, with Board President Judy Bjarke-McKenzie and Secretary Matt Williams favoring Holmes, while Honnell and Board Member Jim Hall favored Boyle. Ultimately, Honnell changed his vote to break the deadlock so the Board could move forward. All four members voted to confirm Holmes to the interim post.

The Board was impressed by Holmes’ years of volunteering in the schools and her knowledge about the District and its staff, in addition to her other qualifications.

Holmes moved to Los Alamos 17 years ago and has been an active volunteer in the community. She has children at Los Alamos Middle School and Los Alamos High School. In addition to her involvement with boy and girl scouting, she has served as a board member for Los Alamos Family Council. She has served as vice-president and treasurer and was part of the Hot Lunch Committee of Mountain PTA. She also served on the LAPS Parent Council and is currently a member of the Topper Advisory Committee.

Recently, Holmes was one of the organizers of Rocket Day, an event where all of the sixth grade students in the district built and launched a rocket at Overlook Park.

Her vision for the District is, “an environment where students feel safe and supported. Students need to have a place to go when things go wrong.”

She said her work with the Hot Lunch Committee had alerted her to the issues facing children in poverty in Los Alamos. When asked what major issues face the District, Holmes cited the transition to new leadership, budget cuts, changes imposed by the Public Education Department, pressures on students and balancing services for in and out of district students. She pointed to the diversity brought to the District by out of district students as a valuable asset.

The new Board member will participate in the search for a new superintendent for the district. Holmes said she felt it was important to choose someone who can build “a sense of community.” It’s important to reach out beyond parents to the broader community, she said.

Holmes cited “the ability to listen and the ability to be flexible,” as the qualities she would like to bring to the School Board. Her first priority will be the search for a new superintendent.

“I’m very exicted,” Holmes said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to serve the community.”