Having served on the Bayfield School Board for 10 years, including a stint as president of the board, Barbara Wickman was appointed to an open seat on the board on Tuesday night.
Wickman was appointed to the position after Peggy Whiteman, who was elected to the position in November, moved out of state.
There was more interest in usual for an open school board seat. Four other district residents - Debbie Wilhelm, Justin Talbot, Mark Hauessler and Amy Davlin - also applied for the position.
Several changes have been taking place in the district, including the appointment of a new superintendent, Kevin Aten; the opening of a new school and renovations at two other campuses; and the resignation in March of the interim superintendent and past finance director, Amy Lyons, citing "an environment of intimidation"
Wickman is the founder of the Bayfield Educational Foundation and is the dean at the San Juan College School of Energy in Farmington. She has a master's degree in geology from Texas A&M University and a master's in business administration from the University of Denver.
She was sworn into office at Tuesday's meeting. The next board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28.
Wickman's experience will be a major asset to the board, said Robin Duffy-Wirth, another former school board member.
In addition to her board and foundation experience, She has experience running large organizations and understands how the chain of command should work in a school district, Duffy-Wirth added.
"I believe she will continue in the assisted growth of the district."
