Newly elected school board president has many goals in mind

With a master's degree and a law degree, Joanna Wilson has always placed a high emphasis on education in her own life. Now, as president of the Carson City School Board, she is working to improve education in her community.

"It's our future, it's our country," she said. "If we as parents or citizens of Carson City don't take an active interest in education, we're dooming our world to apathy. Somebody has to be watching out for our kids."

Wilson was elected president during Tuesday's meeting, replacing John McKenna.

"I think she'll do an excellent job as president," said Trustee Bob Crowell, who preceded McKenna as president. "This board gets along extremely well. She will have the full support of this board."

Board members receive $80 per meeting and officers are paid $85.

Wilson has served on the school board since 2000 when she replaced Gary Ailes after he retired.

"I've really enjoyed working with the board," she said. "It's not as easy as one would think. Any government agency is a slow-moving body. You have to follow regulations and deal with budgets."

She said her goal this year will be to find a way to give employees raises.

"We can't keep asking them to walk away from the table empty-handed," she said.

"As a board, we're really interested in finding creative ways to find money without hurting the kids."

Other challenges this year will include hiring a new principal for Carson High School and the possibility of adding two charter schools.

Wilson said she is ready for the challenge. As a stay-at-home mom, she is looking forward to it.

"I like being an adult now and then," she laughed. "It's nice to work with adults and deal with adult issues."

Wilson's term is up at the end of this year, but she said she plans to run for re-election.

Contact Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or at 881-1272.