Durango resident Andrea Parmenter, a consultant and a 9-R parent, was appointed Tuesday to serve on the Durango School District 9-R Board of Education.
Parmenter, who fills a vacant seat for two years on the five-member board, highlighted her leadership, communication skills and research abilities during a public interview for the position.
“I am never the smartest one in the room, but I know where to find the answers,” said Parmenter, a former research scientist.
Parmenter was one of two applicants to fill a seat vacated by Mariana Valdez to represent District D, which covers central and south Durango.
Parmenter was competing with Katie Stewart, a 9-R parent and Durango Education Foundation employee who works in marketing and communications.
The board lauded Parmenter’s experience on the District Accountability Advisory Committee, a group she has worked with for nine years reviewing school safety measures, district budgets and academic performance of schools, among other responsibilities. The advisory board reports to the school board. Parmenter also served as a classroom volunteer and for parent-teacher organizations at Needham Elementary and Miller Middle schools. Applying for a school board position was a natural progression for her, she said.
Several board members said Parmenter’s experience on the advisory committee prepared her well for a position on the board.
“I do think Andrea has been in training, so to speak,” board member Nancy Stubbs said.
Stubbs also expected Parmenter would be able to work well with the community.
“I think she would be a strength in reaching out to stakeholders,” Stubbs said. “... She already has some connections and some know-how.”
Parmenter said supporting student mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing the district, and she is interested in best practices to address those issues.
To prepare the district for the future, she would like to find a way to make math fun and learning fun. “Maybe more fun than sitting around at home playing Fortnite,” she said, referring to an online video game.
The board also selected new officers after seating Parmenter. Shere Byrd, a Fort Lewis College professor, will be the new board president. She replaces Stubbs.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
