McKenna urges parents to fill open school board seat

At his final school board meeting on Dec. 23, John McKenna was given the opportunity to give his final remarks before retiring.

He declined.

"If I haven't said it in the last 16 years, it's not worth saying now," he explained.

But he's changed his mind.

McKenna said he was disappointed to learn only one person had applied for the Carson City School Board seat left vacant by the resignation of Mayor-elect Bob Crowell.

McKenna, who filled his term limits, will be replaced by Steve Reynolds, who was elected this year. However, Crowell's seat must be filled after his resignation on Jan. 5 to assume his post as Carson City mayor.

"If a 60-some-odd bachelor with no kids can be on the school board, then parents with kids in the district should definitely be on it," he said. "I would hope that 20 to 30 parents would apply."

He said the district is fortunate to have Superintendent Richard Stokes, whose four children attend Carson City schools.

But he's dismayed that more parents aren't interested in serving on the school board.

Applications are being accepted until 5 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Carson City School District Office, 1402 W. King St.

Applicants will be interviewed and selected at the Jan. 13 meeting at 7 p.m. in the Sierra Room of the Carson City School Board.

Contact the superintendent's office at 283-2100 with questions.

- Contact reporter Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1272.