Change means goodbye to Mas

Mary A. Castillo

This school board will see a changing of the guard as new member

Betsy Jenkins takes her seat and current board President Susan Mas

retires after 16 years of service.

“Susan has an enormous historical perspective, and we’ll miss that

viewpoint,” Robert Whalen said.

“Susan is a very creative innovator,” Kathryn Turner added. “I

don’t know who might bring that to the board.”

“Her first priority has always been what is best for the kids,”

Supt. Theresa Daem said. “She was one of the original people who

hired me, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”

However, district administrators and board members are optimistic

about Jenkins’ entrance. They look to her years of volunteerism in

the schools, especially her efforts with the bond measure in 1998, as

an important asset that will add a fresh perspective to the board.

“What we’ll gain with Betsy is someone who is well connected with

schools and PTAs,” Whalen said. “She brings hands-on experience and a

knowledge of the issues that are currently of interest to the

schools.”

Jenkins plans to continue her commitments to the Citizen’s

Oversight Committee as well as continuing her role as PTA Council

Parent Education chairwoman in charge of Coffee Break.

“I really hope I can bring more of a parent and community

perspective to the board,” she said.

Board member Jan Vickers foresees a smooth transition into a board

that is characterized by teamwork.

“Since the two years I’ve been back on the board, we have the

ability to respectfully disagree,” she said.

All board members say that the lack of divisiveness has allowed

them, as well as the district, to take steps toward providing a

better experience that meets the social, emotional, mental and

educational needs of students.

“One of the strengths of the board is that we all have our

viewpoints, but it is a very collaborative and congenial effort,”

Whalen said.

“I don’t see how [conflict] serves youngsters,” Turner said.

“Students deserve our best, and contention diminishes that effort.”

Beyond construction and the Quest for Excellence initiative, the

board will prioritize professional development, as well as ways to

tap into the resources of the community.

Vickers envisioned a program similar to one at the Saddleback

District, in which volunteer “experts” from the community speak in

classrooms on various subjects.

“We have the potential here, but it’s never come together,” she

said. “[Laguna] has a lot of people who would love to do that.”

“I think the community could make the school district better,”

Turner said. “This is a place where we can make a difference.”