District Board
vacant BOard seat applications are now closed
vacant BOard seat applications are now closed![]()
vacant BOard seat applications are now closed
Sierra Unified Community Members,
Thank you to those that have submitted applications for the open board seat to fill the remainder of the 2022-2026 term.
Application submissions are now closed and we are currently reviewing those applications received. 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.
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.
Thank you,
Cortney Burke, President
Sierra Unified Board of Trustees
Cortney Burke, President
Sierra Unified Board of Trustees
Message From the President
Message From the President![]()
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.
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.
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.
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
Board President, Sierra Unified School District
the role of the school board
the role of the school board![]()
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.
Past and Upcoming regular board meeting dates
Past and Upcoming regular board meeting dates![]()
Past and Upcoming regular board meeting dates
2024
December 16, 2024
2025
Board Meetings begin at 5:00pm
*are subject to change
January 13, 2025
February 10, 2025
March 10, 2025
April 7, 2025
May 12, 2025
June 9, 2025
July 7, 2025
August 11, 2025
September 8, 2025
October 13, 2025
November 10, 2025
December 8, 2025
BOARD VACANCY
BOARD VACANCY![]()
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
