13 apply for Carson school board vacancy

Thirteen applicants for the vacancy on the Carson City School Board will be interviewed at Tuesday's meeting, and a new member will be appointed.

"To have 13, I think is fabulous," said Barbara Howe, board vice president. "It's always nice to have a lot of choice. We can best match what's missing from the school board with more choices."

The District 4 seat was vacated when new Mayor Bob Crowell resigned earlier this month after serving 12 years.

The application process opened Dec. 10, and for weeks there was only one applicant. John McKenna, who served 16 years on the board and was prevented from running again because of term limits, said he was dismayed by that.

In a final interview before leaving office, he urged parents to apply.

"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 at the time. "I would hope that 20 to 30 parents would apply."

By Monday, on three people had applied. On Tuesday, there were four and by Wednesday, there were 13 applicants. Several candidates cited McKenna's remarks as the catalyst to their involvement.

"I'm elated," McKenna said. "I think that everyone who applied is a winner even if they aren't selected. We have to have people participate in government in order to have good government."

In the last 16 years, he said, this is the most candidates ever for one seat, either to be elected or appointed.

"I wish more people had run against me," he said.

Steve Reynolds was elected to replace McKenna. Reynolds ran unopposed, as did incumbent Joanna Wilson.

Howe said she was happy with the quality of candidates, which could be a double-edged sword.

"It's going to be a tough choice," she said. "I don't want any of the other 12 to go away feeling any less respected or valued. I hope they keep attending meetings and stay involved."

Also at Tuesday's meeting, the board will elect new officers.

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

Applicants for the District 4 school board seat:

Name: J. Farrell Cafferata

Age: 45

Occupation: Small-business owner

Children: Two, ages 4 and 5

Carson City resident: About two years. In Nevada most of her life.

Why did you apply for the position?

Cafferata is a member of a committee to bring arts and career education to high schools.

"I recognize how important it is that my children have someplace to go 10 years from now that fits their needs," she said. "I have two children in the school district at the pre-K level. As a parent, that's my primary focus " making them successful. I'm interested in making the system better."

Name: Kurt Meyer

Age: 42

Occupation: Operations manager for Carson Aquatic Facility

Children: Two, ages 9 and 11

Carson City resident: Seven years, worked for Carson City Parks and Recreation for 17 years.

Why did you apply for the position?

"After this whole election cycle we went through, there weren't a lot of people out there vying for these positions. I was frustrated. But then I thought, put up or shut up. Let's get out there and do what we can."

Name: Ann Bednarski

Age: 62

Occupation: Tutor

Children: Two, ages 33 and 31

Carson City resident: 14 years

Why did you apply for the position?

"My profession is education. I moved to Nevada, specifically Carson City, because I was challenged by the low ranking of Nevada. I've taught in five states. From every one of those experiences, I learned something I'd love to share. The Carson City School District has the potential to be the best district in the U.S. The longer I live here, the more I believe that."

Name: Paul Saucedo

Age: 67

Occupation: Retired engineer for the Nevada Department of Transportation, also runs a liver support group

Children: Three, ages 46, 43, 26

Carson City resident: 35 years

Why did you apply for the position?

"I've worked with kids for 45 years. My three kids graduated from Carson High School. I've got seven grandkids, four of them graduated from Carson High School. Two of them are still in high school and one in Carson Middle School.

I just have an interest, always have. And I just love this town. I was going to run against Bob Crowell in the last election, but the guy just does a wonderful job. I didn't want to replace him."

Name: Pamela Houghton

Age: 56

Occupation: Retired. Worked 10 years with the Carson City School District as a reading tutor.

Children: Two children, ages 21 and 31

Carson City resident: Since 1964.

Why did you decide to apply for the position?

"After retiring I wanted to do something to give back to the community. I was looking at volunteer work, and this opportunity came up, and I thought I would be able to help. It's my love of children, and working with parents and the staff at schools, that are the main reasons I decided the school board would be a great position for me."

Name: Trisha Zinda

Age: 34

Occupation: Owner of Time For Livin' LLC, a personal concierge service

Children: Three, ages 14, 12 and 11

Carson City resident: Born and raised in Carson City

Why did you decide to apply for the position?

"Being a citizen of Carson and going through the school district myself, I have lots of positive things that I can say and lots of positive differences that I could make. I was really hoping to see another parent with school-aged children on the board as well. What probably is the most important thing for me is somebody that has school children."

Name: Lynnette Conrad

Age: 43

Occupation: Physician assistant for Carson Tahoe Emergency Physician Group

Children: Two children, ages 8 and 5

Carson City resident: 16 years

Why did you decide to apply for the position?

"I have kids that are in public education, and with the impending budget cuts I think it's really important that there are voices from the community " specifically parents of school-aged kids. I am a member of the PTA and now that my kids are in school I have definitely become involved in public education."

Name: Patrick Anderson

Age: 48

Occupation: Environmental engineer with Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. State employee for 13 years.

Children: Two, ages 10 and 8.

Carson City resident: 13 years

Why did you decide to apply for the position?

"I have in the past been active in different planning endeavors. I was on the open space committee. I was subcommittee chair on the (former) Economic Vitality Coalition. I sat on Bordewich's bond oversight committee, but I remember that experience of working with the school district as being really positive.

"Both of my girls go to Bethlehem Lutheran School, that costs me $7,000 a year ... for me I have this need to answer the question, is the public school system truly failing or have I bought into a mythology that it's failing?"

Name: Hallie Murphy

Age: 45

Occupation: Retired command sergeant major, Army National Guard. Student

Children: Two children, 21 and 15

Carson City resident: Lifelong

Why did you decide to apply for the position?

"I was responding to the call for community accountability from the editors of the Nevada Appeal. When they said they only had one applicant, I was floored. I've always been interested in education and thought this would be a good way to serve my community."

Name: Kristina Phillips

Age: 44

Occupation: Stay-at-home mom

Children: Four, ages 11, 14, 16, 19

Carson City resident: Nine years

Why did you decide to apply for the position?

Back in 2003 when my son started first grade at Fritsch Elementary, the handicapped access was not acceptable. Through my efforts I was able to get handicapped doors, rezoning of bus parking and a paved pathway to the playground. I have been looking for a way that I can give my passion and talent and education and commitment to improving the community and our main resources, which is the children's education."

Name: Deonne Contine

Age: 40

Occupation: Deputy attorney general representing boards and commissions

Children: A 5-year-old

Carson City resident: Since June 2007, born and raised in Las Vegas.

Why did you decide to apply for the position?

"I've always been involved in the community and I thought this would be another way to continue my community service. My child is about ready to start school and I know there are some difficulties facing the board. This board has been very fiscally responsible, but as my child begins to progress through the system here, we're going to be facing some dire times financially and I think I have some good skills."

Name: Timothy Russell

Age: 31

Occupation: Civil engineer

Children: Two, 2 and 7 months

Carson City resident: Born and raised in Carson City.

Why did you decide to apply for the position:

"With two young children coming up I'd like to be able to help direct the school district and make sure it's in good shape by the time they're ready to go to school."

Name: Allison Joffee

Age: 53

Occupation: Defense attorney

Children: Two, ages 20 and 16

Carson City resident: 25 years. Born and raised in Reno

Why did you decide to apply for the position:

"I was a member of the school board for two terms from 1990 to 1998. And now with Mary (Pierczynski) leaving and Bob (Crowell) and John McKenna I felt that there was a need for experience. ... What I would like to do is continue to work on ... the reading program, Success For All. I worked really hard on that as a board member, and my huge interest right now is getting more and better math programs to kids, which would include music."