Three new Galt high board trustees start tonight

When the three new school trustees officially take their seats tonight, it will be the first time in recent history this many new faces are on the Galt Joint Union High School board.

In the November election, Dennis Richardson unseated Gus Prouty Jr. who was appointed to the board two years ago, and Diann Kitamura and Kathleen Amos were each elected to four-year terms unseating Norman Pearson and replacing Sue Roberts who did not run for re-election.

The new trustees will hit the ground running at tonight's meeting. After being sworn in, the board will be asked to approve several minor items on the agenda including a field trip to Clovis for the cross country team.

Trustee Terry Parker-Owning, who was elected to her four-year term in 2006, said she is looking forward to hearing the ideas that the new members will bring.

"I am excited to work with our new school board as advocates for the students in our district, making sure they have every opportunity to receive the best education possible," she added.

There are several big issues facing the district in the coming years, with the most immediate being the state budget and its local implications. The district is facing a drop in revenue thanks to declining enrollment and ongoing funding cuts from the state.

Trustees will also be asked to continue helping to boost test scores, as well as open Liberty Ranch High School in the fall. It is currently under construction on Marengo Road. Although most of the teachers have been hired, there are still curriculum decisions to be made. The new board also changes the gender make-up. Women, for the first time in many years, will be the majority.

Galt attorney Len ReidReynoso, who also sits on the district's bond oversight committee which funded the new school, said the overall makeup of the new board is very similar to boards of the past when it comes to the agricultural camp division.

"It will be interesting to see how they get along since some of the members are known to have quite explosive personalities," he added. "If they can work together, they have some exceptional people on the board. Three of them have been on our committee at some point in time."

Roberts wishes each new member luck, but declined to give any specific advise. "They're in charge now," she said "It's their future."

In at least the last decade, this is the first time three new trustees have been seated at one time suggesting the learning curve might be steep.

Parker-Owning, however, points out that Richardson was on the board previously, and both Kitamura and Amos have been involved with the school district for years.

"I think it will be an easy transition," she added.

The Galt Join Union High School regular board meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Galt City Council chambers, 380 Civic Drive, Galt.

Galt school board's new trustees

Diann Kitamura
Age: 49.
Occupation: Executive director of an educational consulting company
Education: Bachelor's degree in crop science from California Polytechnic State
University, San Luis Obispo; teaching credential in agriculture from California State University, Chico; master's in school counseling from California State University, Sacramento; and an administrative credential from California State University, Stanislaus.
Family: Husband David and two children, both 13.
Length of time living in Galt: 11 years.
What are you most looking forward to over the next four years? Working together with the other members of the board in a professional relationship that creates a culture of respect, informed decision-making, communication, accountability, and a "one board, common focus" mind-set.
Single biggest issue facing the district: Balancing the finances of the district within the context of the state and national economic difficulties.

Dennis Richardson
Age: 60.
Occupation: County collections clerk.
Education: Two bachelor's degrees, in criminal justice administration and child development.
Family: Wife Susan, re-elected to the Galt Joint Union Elementary School board, 10 adult children, 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild on the way.
Length of time living in Galt: 11 years.
What are you most looking forward to over the next two years? Helping to build a cooperative nature at Galt High and Libery Ranch schools.
Single biggest issue facing the district: The budget.

Kathleen Amos
Age: 57.
Occupation: Family law attorney.
Education: Law degree from McGeorge School of Law, Bachelor's Degree in education from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Family: Son, a 2003 Galt High School graduate.
Length of time living in Galt: 23 years

Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.

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