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Published on 12/15/1999 All articles from this issue

Three new members join LASD board

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By Melissa Leavitt / Town Crier Staff Writer

Los Altos School District Superintendent Margaret Gratiot swore in three new members to the district board of trustees at the Dec. 6 board meeting.

Returning to the board is Duane Roberts, who served on the board for eight years before being replaced by current member Jay Thomas in December 1993. David Casas and Margot Harrigan are both newcomers filling the additional two seats empty since the November election. Neither Kristine Salmon nor Terri Sachs, former board members, sought re-election.

Even though Casas and Harrigan each have school-age children in the Los Altos district, their desire to participate in community schools goes far beyond personal interests.

For Casas, getting involved in his family's education continues a tradition his own parents started. He grew up in Palo Alto, and recalls enjoying the "tremendous sense of community" that he experienced there. His parents' active participation in school events is something he hopes to re-create with his own children.

"In reflection," Casas said, "I look at it as my parents really wanting to participate, and making sure that my school environment made for a positive and productive experience."

He is pleased to see the same positive atmosphere in the Los Altos schools, and will make sure it continues throughout the facilities renovation the district is just beginning. He is especially concerned about the students who will move to temporary classrooms on the district's junior high campuses during construction at their elementary schools.

"I hope to create a smooth transition for our school children when they move to temporary locations," he promised. "I want to make every effort possible that the same close community they are used to will go with them to the new locations."

"The bonds and friendships you form in school carry on for years," he added.

Harrigan also sees parental involvement as an integral part of the school community. When her daughter first entered Loyola School, she admitted she was "surprised at how much volunteerism was really required for so many of the school programs."

Unlike Casas, Harrigan does not recall parent volunteers playing a large role in her own education. "Having a parent in the classroom was a very unusual thing," she said.

However, volunteering in her daughter's classroom opened the door to her own participation in the school community.

"Wanting to be supportive of the schools, I became a volunteer." She has served as PTA president and on the facilities and boundaries committees for the Covington school site. While on the school board, she will continue to volunteer in the district's art docent program.

Harrigan encouraged all parents to volunteer at their children's schools, and to view it less as a duty and more as an "opportunity."

"I really look at volunteering as having the opportunity to be in the classroom and see the curriculum firsthand. I am consistently, absolutely amazed at how well material is presented. It is just fabulous."

Roberts is filling the remainder of Gerri Carlton's term, running through December 2001, after the 10-year board member resigned in October. He said Carlton's resignation, coupled with the departure of Kris Salmon and Terri Sachs, prompted his return to the board.

The district "stands to lose a great deal of long-term involvement and understanding" about district issues, Roberts said. "My learning curve would be essential zero."

Harrigan believes that if parents were more involved in their children's schools, they could better understand issues facing the district, such as construction or conflicts between teachers and students.

"If parents would find the time to stay connected, changes wouldn't come as a surprise. If a student has a problem, the parent needs to talk to the teacher or the principal," Harrigan said.

"Parents need to realize that we have the kind of community where you can do that."

Casas, Harrigan and recent appointee Duane Roberts now join Board President Victor Reid and Vice-President Jay Thomas on the five-member board.

Their next meeting will be held on Jan. 10.