Trustees honor retiring Trustee Tricia Strasdin for her service to the school board. Front row, from left: Julie Guerrero-Goetsch, Strasdin and Wendy Bullock. Middle row, from left: Joe McFadden, Kathryn Whitaker, Amber Getto and Gregg Malkovich. In the back is Matt Hyde.
Sara Dowling | NNG
The Churchill County School Board recognized Tricia Strasdin for her eight years of service June 26.
Strasdin, who resigned her position at the end of April, served as a trustee, board president and vice president during her tenure. She was also named as the 2023 Nevada Association of School Board’s “Veteran School Board Member of the Year.”
At the ceremony, Strasdin was praised for her preparation, passion, strong leadership, dedication and selfless service to the community.
Trustee Kathryn Whitaker highlighted Strasdin’s leadership in social emotional learning, internal board relations and during the major overhaul of district policies related to board behavior and government, as well as her role in the superintendent and board evaluation processes.
“I will dearly miss your tenacity, steadfastness, stubbornness and vision,” Whitaker said. “Undoubtedly, the positive traits that you use in the boardroom will serve you well in your classroom.”
Strasdin shared some parting words from the public comment table where, as board President Gregg Malkovich pointed out, she had heard from so many people over the years.
“My experience on the board has forever shaped my values and my appreciation and my love for education,” Strasdin said. “Education has everything to do with people, and you people and the work that you do is among the very best work … I am truly looking forward to serving the community that I love.”
In other business, trustees elected Amber Getto as the new board vice-president, Joe McFadden as clerk and Julie Guerrero-Goetsch as acting clerk. Trustee Wendy Bullock, appointed at the last meeting to replace Strasdin, accepted board officer and committee assignments.
Derild Parsons, as part of his superintendent report, shared a preview of the newly designed Churchill County School District website at churchillcsd.com. He also showed photos of the artificial turf installation currently in progress at the Edward Arciniega Athletic Complex and the recently completed carpeting, epoxy flooring and cushioned seating installations in the remodeling of the high school auditorium.
At Whitaker’s request, Assistant Superintendent Stacey Cooper gave an update on reports she and Linnell Cramer, the district coordinator of data and assessment, are working on this summer to submit to the state and federal governments. The reports are part of new requirements implemented by Nevada governor Joe Lombardo to substantiate where money is going in Nevada schools along with proof those investments are providing results.
“I want the public to be aware that this is in addition to everything else that’s happening,” Whitaker said. “It’s important everybody recognizes the amount of work the district office is doing on top of everything else.”
Board member accepted the proposed policy renewal from Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool (POOL) as presented by POOL/PACT representatives Alan Kalt and Chris Rogne, and approved the policy payment from fiscal year 2024-25 funds.
A third-party service agreement with Cannon Cochran Management Services, Inc. was also approved to provide worker’s compensation claim administration and related services for fiscal year 2024-25.