The Churchill County School District trustees elected their newest trustee, Tricia Strasdin, to the board last Thursday night.
Strasdin, who was elected to the school board during the last election was set to begin her term in Jan. 2017, was one of only two applicants to apply for the vacancy in former Trustee Ron Evans’ expired term. Strasdin was voted in unanimously after being questioned by board members at the meeting.
Having already been elected to the school board before applying to the position, Strasdin said this was a carefully made decision nonetheless in considering the responsibility, time and social commitment it takes to make the best decisions possible as a trustee.
“I hope the trustees agree my coming on right now would only get me up to speed and nurture my competence for a seamless transition,” Strasdin said in her opening statement, adding later she felt like the opening was an opportunity to become more well-versed with the overwhelming process to which she hopes to give her bast.
Strasdin, when asked about the her vision for the district’s students, said she holds high quality education as the No. 1 priority and, when asked what other items she considers important, stressed accountability, unity and strong leadership as essential to the board’s future success.
“I kind of think they speak for themselves,” she said addressing the question. “When we have great leadership it affects everybody, and the same goes for accountability.”*
Kathryn Whitaker asked about Strasdin’s vision for the district and its students.
Strasdin also said the board should maintain a more professional relationship with the community while being mindful of the community’s perception.
Though she was eager to talk about the district’s strengths, Strasdin expressed her concerns when asked what she perceived as the educational gaps and weaknesses, the greatest of which she said is parents.
“Plain and simple,” Strasdin said. “I’m not talking about parents being in a teaching position. I’m talking about parents’ responsibility they assume when they have children and in their children’s education. I love this community. I think the size of our community is probably its biggest strength and we’re all committed to success when it comes down to it, and that’s probably the district’s best asset.”
The issues of accountability, unity and strong leadership were all the more prevalent as Strasdin began her first night as a trustee to vote as a part of one of the board’s arguably most controversial decisions as of late.
After two hours of a closed session, the trustees voted unanimously to approve E.C. Best Elementary Principal Keith Boone’s appeal to remain as principal rather than being reassigned as Churchill County Middle School’s Vice Principal.
After much deliberation before the final decision, Boone was supported by several members of the community during the public comment portion of the hearing who spoke to his character as well as his proven success as a principal.