Two candidates to be interviewed for open school board seat

Two candidates will be interviewed tonight to fill the vacant seat on the Carson City School Board.

"I'm looking forward to the board selecting someone because we have a very busy time ahead of us," said Superintendent Jim Parry. "I will be very happy to work with whoever that person is."

Douglas Ponn and Isabel Young, the two candidates, will be asked a variety of questions by each board member then the board will vote on which candidate will be offered the position. Ponn was unavailable for comment.

Young said she decided to run for the board because she wants to make a difference.

"For one thing, I'm terribly interested in schools," she said. "I think that's the one place where you can make a difference."

One of the ways to make a difference, she said, is to listen to the concerns of the students.

"I want to see that the schools here in Carson are the best for the students' sake," she said. "We need to start listening to the children."

She said recent issues sparked her interest in the school district.

"I'm interested in educational issues," she said."Like everyone else in Carson City, I was a little upset about the whole prom nonsense."

Young said she is also concerned about violence in the schools.

"I think the school system needs to be turned around," she said.

She also served on the school board in Petersburg, Va.

Parry said one of the key elements to serving as a school board member is to have plenty of time. Young said she has the time.

"I doubt very much that many people have the time," she said. "I have the time to devote to it. I think I can contribute and I'm a hard worker."

Young is involved in various community-oriented committees including Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Shade Tree Council and Capital City Humane Society.

Young said serving in the community is a legacy left to her by her mother.

"All my life I've been involved. My mother was very involved. She took up women's issues," she said. "Like mother, like daughter."

The district 2 seat was left vacant when Julie Butler resigned Feb. 17.

The board will also discuss:

- presentation of the teachers of the year.

- budget presentations.

- approval for raises for central office administrators.

- demonstration of smart board technology.

If you go:

What: Carson City School Board meeting

Where: Sierra Room of Carson City Community Center

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.