The Lafayette School District announced the appointment of David Smith to the district's governing board following the sudden resignation on May 12 of Kenny Tuckerman, who had served on the board since 2018. Smith was one of five candidates who were interviewed at a June 23 special governing board meeting before the final selection was made in a 3-0 vote, with Jean Follmer abstaining.
According to a LafSD press release, Smith is a "collaborative problem solver whose professional experience revolves around bringing together diverse stakeholders and finding ways to meet their needs while focusing on the broader mission of the organization." He has two children who attend Springhill Elementary School.
Smith was an integral part of the leadership team for the Measure L parcel tax, and has served on the board of Lafayette Partners in Education, the education foundation that supports Lafayette public schools, according to the district. "Dave spent the past year working for the state of California to help lead the volunteer response to COVID-19 and the vaccination campaign. He has also worked professionally on decreasing mental health stigma and increasing mental health resources in communities and on school campuses."
When asked during his interview what he believed were the most critical issues the board will face, Smith said that aside from reopening in the fall, he believes the board needs to assess learning loss and support of students as well as mental health and social/emotional learning. "How can we equip them as they come back to the classroom?" he asked.
"Dave has an impressive track record as a creative thinker and industrious doer, and I enthusiastically look forward to Dave's onboarding and active involvement in the hard work ahead," said current board president Rob Sturm. "Dave is a fantastic addition who's well-suited to hit the ground running - we're thrilled to have him aboard," Sturm added.
According to a LafSD press release, Smith is a "collaborative problem solver whose professional experience revolves around bringing together diverse stakeholders and finding ways to meet their needs while focusing on the broader mission of the organization." He has two children who attend Springhill Elementary School.
Smith was an integral part of the leadership team for the Measure L parcel tax, and has served on the board of Lafayette Partners in Education, the education foundation that supports Lafayette public schools, according to the district. "Dave spent the past year working for the state of California to help lead the volunteer response to COVID-19 and the vaccination campaign. He has also worked professionally on decreasing mental health stigma and increasing mental health resources in communities and on school campuses."
When asked during his interview what he believed were the most critical issues the board will face, Smith said that aside from reopening in the fall, he believes the board needs to assess learning loss and support of students as well as mental health and social/emotional learning. "How can we equip them as they come back to the classroom?" he asked.
"Dave has an impressive track record as a creative thinker and industrious doer, and I enthusiastically look forward to Dave's onboarding and active involvement in the hard work ahead," said current board president Rob Sturm. "Dave is a fantastic addition who's well-suited to hit the ground running - we're thrilled to have him aboard," Sturm added.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA