Sierra Unified School District

BOARD VACANCY

Sierra Unified Community Members,

At the Regular Board Meeting on January 13, 2025, our friend and colleague Carolyn Capps resigned from the Sierra Unified Board of Trustees effective immediately. We thank her for her service to the SUSD community.

We are currently accepting applications from community members who are interested in becoming a member of the board. This board seat is for the remainder of the 2022-2026 term. Applications will be accepted now through Wednesday, February 11, 2025. Basic requirements are applicants must live within the Sierra Unified School District boundaries, must be at least 18 years old, and must not be an employee of Sierra Unified. Applications are available at the SUSD district office.

Qualified applicants will be invited to an interview by the Board of Trustees on a date to be determined by the Board. Applicants will be informed when the date is established. The interviews will be held in a public forum.

For additional questions about this process, please contact Nicole Baker at the Sierra Unified District office. For questions about the roles and responsibilities of board members, please reach out to one of your local board members, or the California School Boards Association website. Please email for application nbaker@sierrausd.org.

Thank you,
Cortney Burke, President
Sierra Unified Board of Trustees

Message From the President

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we prepare to embark on a new school year, I want to take a moment to share some thoughts and inspiration for the journey ahead. This year holds endless possibilities for our mountain kiddos, and with your support and involvement, it promises to be a memorable and successful one.

Supporting Our Teachers
Our educators are the cornerstone of our children's academic growth, and they are dedicated to helping each student achieve their best. It’s crucial that we support them not just with words, but with open communication and trust. This year, we welcome several new staff members, which may bring a few hiccups at the beginning of the year. However, let's embrace this change with patience, grace and an open mind. By working together and supporting our teachers, we can create a nurturing environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Pride Begins with Preparation
The first step in fostering a positive and productive school year is ensuring our children feel proud and confident, in themselves and their school. It starts with something as simple as their clothes. When our kids dress for success, they’re more likely to approach each day with enthusiasm and self-assurance. Let's encourage them to start the year feeling their best, and remind them that their appearance can be a reflection of their readiness to tackle new challenges.

Community Strength Through Kindness
Our community’s true strength shines through in our kindness and willingness to help each other, we are Mountain Strong, yes? As we face the excitement and challenges of a new school year, let's continue to foster a spirit of cooperation and empathy. Whether it’s volunteering time, sharing resources, or simply offering a kind word, every act of support contributes to a positive and collaborative atmosphere.

We all share a common goal: the success and well-being of our kids. Achieving this requires a united effort, and I am confident that together, we can make this year extraordinary. Let’s embrace the opportunities ahead with enthusiasm, work hand-in-hand to overcome any obstacles, and celebrate the progress we make along the way.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our school community. Here’s to a fantastic new school year filled with growth, learning, and shared success.

Warm regards,

Cortney Burke
Board President, Sierra Unified School District

2024-25 BOARD GOALS

the role of the school board

The role of the school board is to ensure that school districts are responsible to the values and beliefs, and priorities of the communities. Boards fulfill this role by performing five major responsibilities: setting direction, establishing an effective and efficient structure, providing support, ensuring accountability, and providing community leadership as advocates for children, the school district, and public schools.

Our authority as school board members is only as we sit as a board, and by majority decision of the board. Individually, we have no authority. Additionally, the school board has only one employee – the superintendent. A good way to consider the role of the governance team of the district is that we are the direction-setters, taking the input of the educational professionals and setting the “what” for the district. Our superintendent, while part of the governance team, is the “how”, and determines how the “what” is accomplished. The school board does not determine the how.

View Most Recent Board Meeting Agenda

	The community elects their school board to be their voice in the local school district. We appreciate your input and support! There are many ways to provide this input. Informally, you are welcome to share thoughts and ideas with us at school functions, or when you see us at the grocery store!
A more formal way to provide input or share your thoughts is by attending the school board meetings and speaking during public comment at the beginning of each meeting. Board meetings are held monthly on the second Monday at 5:00pm, with workshops typically held the fourth Monday of the month at 5:00pm. While we cannot comment or take action during public comment, you will have three minutes to share your comments and have an audience of the entire board.
	Our district has many other ways you can be involved. We have Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) meetings, parent clubs, school site councils, various community input committees, and online surveys. We encourage everyone to please take the time to get involved! If you are unable to attend meetings in person, you can review board agendas, minutes and links to the podcasts we post of each meeting and workshop here on the website, as well as find information available on social media.
Board of Trustees Cortney Burke President Ben Kimbler Vice President James Hoak Clerk Carolyn Capps Member Ginger Cardoza Member Joe Denham NEW Member Wes Qualls Member

Dedication of the NEW Board of Trustees

December 16, 2024
Dedication of the NEW Board of Trustees

Board policies