Maria Flores, a Tombaugh Elementary School teacher, and Merrie Lee Soules, semi-retired project management trainer at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) and sister of former board member Bill Soules, ran a tight District 3 race during school board elections February 3 against incumbent Gene Gant. Shortly after the election, with six provisional ballots awaiting qualification, Gant had 311 votes, Flores had 527 votes and Soules had 525 votes. In the end, Flores came out the winner.

The District 2 seat held by Lonnie Briseño was challenged and won by Serena Shoop, a Zia Middle School special education assistant. In District 1, incumbent Chuck Davis, who was the board secretary, ran unopposed.

The newly elected board members Shoop and Flores and returning member Davis joined Board President Dr. Bonnie Votaw (District 4) and Vice President Dr. Connie Phillips (District 5) on March 3 after they were sworn in by Las Cruces District Judge Jerry Valentine March 2.

Gant, Davis and Briseño were first elected to the school board in 2001, and then reelected in 2005. Votaw and Phillips’ positions will be on the ballot in 2011.

The LCPS Board is charged with setting policies that govern LCPS and hiring the superintendent of the district to implement and enforce the policies. Board members serve four-year, staggered terms.

The School Board meets at least twice a month to approve, add or revise policies such as the District Mission and Vision and to issue contracts and authorize payment of expenses. Board meetings also include reports from the superintendent, staff and schools. The meetings allow the district to showcase student and staff achievements. Meetings are usually held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month and are open to the public.