News
SUMMIT COUNTY — Margaret Carlson, Sheila Groneman and J Kent McHose were elected to four-year terms on the Summit School District's school board Tuesday.
Carlson, a Breckenridge resident, has two kids — one in elementary school and one in middle school — and she said she wants to broaden her involvement with the district by joining the board.
“I am very excited and looking forward to getting to work,” Carlson said Tuesday night.
Her involvement with school district committees schools has spanning five years, and she's also a member of the PTA.
Groneman, a Silverthorne resident and the only incumbent running for re-election, will now sit on the board for another four years. She won't be allowed to run again once her term is up.
“I'm thrilled and excited and honored to be re-elected, and I look forward to the next four years working with the district,” Groneman said. “I think it's just really (important) to continue on with the work that's been started. There's a strong focus for me on closing-the-achievement-gap work and working on the school district's goals and objectives this year.”
Groneman works for Early Childhood Options in Dillon, and she's also involved in other education-related organizations, like Community Partners for Children, Early Childhood Advisory for the Colorado Association of School Boards, Early Childhood Summit and the Early Childhood Council in Summit County. She's the president of the Colorado Head Start Association, and a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church.
McHose, a Summit County resident, is a retired CPA and an active member on the District Advisory Committee and the Citizen's Budget Advisory Committee for the schools. He's also president of the church council at Lord of the Mountains Lutheran Church in Dillon.
“I am both humbled and energized to have this opportunity to work to improve the education for our students in Summit County,” McHose said. “I want to raise the bar. Colorado ranks 37th in the state standard for reading. And we have similar opportunities to improve in math as well.”
Before retiring, McHose worked for May Department Stores as the chief financial officer and then as the company chairman. Most recently, he was the chairman of Filene's Department Stores based in Boston.
The new school board members will be sworn into office at the next school board meeting on Nov. 10. It will take place at Dillon Valley Elementary School at 5:30 p.m.
Carlson, a Breckenridge resident, has two kids — one in elementary school and one in middle school — and she said she wants to broaden her involvement with the district by joining the board.
“I am very excited and looking forward to getting to work,” Carlson said Tuesday night.
Her involvement with school district committees schools has spanning five years, and she's also a member of the PTA.
Groneman, a Silverthorne resident and the only incumbent running for re-election, will now sit on the board for another four years. She won't be allowed to run again once her term is up.
“I'm thrilled and excited and honored to be re-elected, and I look forward to the next four years working with the district,” Groneman said. “I think it's just really (important) to continue on with the work that's been started. There's a strong focus for me on closing-the-achievement-gap work and working on the school district's goals and objectives this year.”
Groneman works for Early Childhood Options in Dillon, and she's also involved in other education-related organizations, like Community Partners for Children, Early Childhood Advisory for the Colorado Association of School Boards, Early Childhood Summit and the Early Childhood Council in Summit County. She's the president of the Colorado Head Start Association, and a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church.
McHose, a Summit County resident, is a retired CPA and an active member on the District Advisory Committee and the Citizen's Budget Advisory Committee for the schools. He's also president of the church council at Lord of the Mountains Lutheran Church in Dillon.
“I am both humbled and energized to have this opportunity to work to improve the education for our students in Summit County,” McHose said. “I want to raise the bar. Colorado ranks 37th in the state standard for reading. And we have similar opportunities to improve in math as well.”
Before retiring, McHose worked for May Department Stores as the chief financial officer and then as the company chairman. Most recently, he was the chairman of Filene's Department Stores based in Boston.
The new school board members will be sworn into office at the next school board meeting on Nov. 10. It will take place at Dillon Valley Elementary School at 5:30 p.m.
What's next?
School board members Christine Scanlan and Erin Major concluded their terms as of Tuesday's election. Erin Young, Alison Casias, Jon Kreamelmeyer and Brad Piehl will continue to hold positions on the board.“I want to acknowledge the great contributions from Erin Major and Christine Scanlan as they leave the board,” said Millie Hamner, Summit School District's superintendent.
Hamner also said that having eight citizens step up with a sincere interest in helping Summit School District was very exciting.
“In some communities, it's difficult to fill positions like this,” Hamner said. “It says a lot about Summit County that people want to step up. It's validating and encouraging for the public school system. It's a sign that people really care.”
Hamner also acknowledged that with the school year already underway, it's an interesting time for the board to change over.
“Going into this school year, we have a three-year strategic plan that's set the course for school district improvements,” she said.
According to Hamner, an action plan has also been identified for the year — to increase student achievement and closing the achievement gap; to develop the school district's cultural proficiency; to create instructional improvements in every classroom; and to develop the first three goals through continuing education for both teachers and staff.
Caitlin Row can be reached at (970) 668-4633 or at crow@summitdaily.com.
