The school board is made up of five important community members. They are elected via popular vote to serve a four-year term. The board has been made up of many familiar faces for decades. However, this year, two members, Denise Bahoman and Richard Sloan, are stepping down. In their place, the two candidates, Celina De Leon and Breeze Kinsley, are excited to join this honored and important position.
I asked both De Leon and Kinsley the same questions, one in person and one through email, these were their responses.
“Why do you want to join the school board?”
De Leon: “I joined the school board because I see it as an opportunity to positively contribute to the school community. I’m the mother of a kindergartner, a recent alumni, and our youngest will start in the TK program next year. I think having the perspective of a mother with kids in the school is important to have on the school board and I’m happy to contribute in this way.
Kinsley: “I am excited to support my community and my school. I grew up in the San Geronimo Valley, went to Lagunitas, now my kids are going here and it’s an important time to lend a hand.”
“What are your goals for the school once you join?”
De Leon: ”My main goal in joining the school board is to further support the school to flourish! The new school food program is amazing and there are so many special attributes about our school such as our close connection to the community center and our amazing campus. I’m interested to see how we can continue to take the best of the different educational methodologies that have been on our campus to create something truly unique and special for the students in our community. And one of my goals on the school board is also to make sure that we’re being inclusive of diverse perspectives and celebrating the diversity in our school community.”
Kinsley: “I’m excited to help at this time. It’s a big transition for pir school right now. We have just merged our elementary programs and keeping attention on implementing this new school, Lagunitas Community School, is an exciting endeavor. The new school lunch program is a very exciting thing that people in our community have wanted for many many years. There are some neat opportunities around the garden program and growing our connection between our school garden and lunch program. Feeding kids organic healthy food that was grown right here is a really exciting idea.”
“Did anyone inspire you to join the board?”
De Leon: “I was inspired by several conversations that I had with parents in the community.”
Kinsley: “I have been tremendously inspired by the work of Richard Sloan who has been on our school board for decades. He was the visionary behind our school playground and has spearheaded many initiatives on campus and his many years of service has inspired me to lend my hand at this time.”
“Could you give a little background on your position relating to the school?”
De Leon: “As I shared, I’m the mother of a kindergartner, a recent alumni, and our youngest will start in the TK program next year. I’m also a u-6 soccer coach in the West Marin soccer league and vice president of the West Marin Soccer Board of Directors. All that to say, in the spirit of being a community school, I think the school and the campus are uniquely situated to continue to be a wonderful resource for the whole community.”
Kinsley: “I have been involved in the parent group for several years, I went to Lagunitas school several years ago, and it’sexciting to remain involved through many many years.”
“If you had to change one thing about the school what would it be?”
De Leon: “If I could change one thing about the school, I would love to find a permanent solution to the gopher problem on the field!”
Kinsley: “I don’t think we have to change much about our school because we’ve had so many people do so much over so many years so all that I seek to do is to continue in holding that really great community energy and directing it to new projects that expand on the beautiful campus we already have and the awesome programs we provide for our kids”
“Do you have anything to say to the students of Lagunitas?”
De Leon: “To the students of Lagunitas, I would like to say: Enjoy your time at school, embrace the journey of learning how to learn, and be kind to yourself and others.”
Kinsley: “Have fun while you’re learning, learn about your community and the world, and lend a hand when you can.”
