SVVSD candidate profile: Karen Ragland

As a self-proclaimed "serial volunteer and community member," SVVSD Board of Education member Karen Ragland has been involved in the local educational community since 2007. She started in parent groups and other organization committees before being elected to the Board in 2017.

Much of her professional background is in mental health counseling, healthcare consulting and project management. Between her professional experience and having a masters in Community Counseling, she brings a diverse set of skills to the Board. "Maybe most importantly, I'm a good listener," she said, and went on to say how appreciative she is to receive feedback about the district.

As a board member, she serves on the Longmont Multicultural Action Committee and is a liaison to the District Parent Group Representatives as well as to the Boulder County Commissioners. Within SVVSD, she has also participated with the Niwot Elementary Parent Teacher Advisory Council, Grassroots St. Vrain, Leadership St. Vrain, and Niwot High School Boosters. She served as co-chair in 2016 on the SVVSD Bond Committee Task Force.

"I care greatly about public education and its role in shaping strong and healthy communities," she said. "I feel very strongly that a governing board member should serve as a liaison between the community and the district and ultimately make all decisions in the best interest of all students, regardless of one's specific agenda or interest."

This election cycle, as in the past, she is running uncontested in District B, which includes the Niwot feeder system. For Ragland, she believes that it is important to focus on educating in a safe environment, to seek to govern rather than manage and to set an example as an education system, challenging "the polarized narrative around public education."

"We are in a time right now when many people are getting involved in public education ," she said. "I see it as a tremendous opportunity to change how our society collectively views and talks about our public education system and realize the potential in positive promotion and support of our schools."

Ragland, a Niwot resident, went on to say that her favorite part about being on the Board was seeing students grow and build relationships. Being part of graduation is particularly fun for her because she gets to "witness the culmination of all these years of growth."

In addition to serving on the Board, Ragland is a consultant for healthcare quality improvement and risk management education, a mother of three, and self identifies as both an animal lover and artisan cheesemaker.

"I encourage people to reach out if they have questions or want to know more about me or the amazing things happening in our schools."

For more information about the board, and Ragland, visit: https://www.svvsd.org/about/board-of-education/