LAPS News:

With the Dec. 16 sign up deadline for those interested in running for a seat on the Los Alamos School Board fast approaching, Board President Judy Bjarke-McKenzie is encouraging residents to consider applying.

“Get ready to serve your community,” Bjarke-McKenzie said. “There are many critical decisions the school system will be making including the selection of the next school superintendent. Serving on the School Board gives residents a voice in the future direction of the school system.”

Any resident of the District, who is a “qualified elector” (qualified to vote under the provision of both the New Mexico and U.S. Constitution) of the State of New Mexico, a resident of the School Board District from which a member is to be elected, and who desires to become a candidate for the office of member of the Board of the District is eligible to file a Declaration of Candidacy.

The Declaration of Candidacy is available at the County Clerk’s Office or can be downloaded from the County Clerk’s Office website https:////www.losalamosnm.us/clerk/Pages/default.aspx. Candidates must file a notarized Declaration of Candidacy in the Office of the Los Alamos County Clerk on the third Tuesday in December, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Dec. 16. Residents missing this filing date can file before 5 p.m., Dec. 30, a Declaration of Intent to be a Write-in Candidate.

School Board District 3 includes Precincts 8, 9, 12, 14.1 (the portion of 14 north and east of Alabama Avenue) and 16.2 (the portion of 16 north and west of San Ildefonso Road and north of Rendija Canyon Road).

School Board District 4 includes Precinct 15 and 16.1 (the portion of 16 south and east of San Ildefonso Road and south of Rendija Canyon Road).

School Board District 5 includes Precincts 10, 11, 13, and 14.2 (the portion of 14 south and west of Alabama Avenue) and 17.

Residents interested in serving as a School Board member and wishing to learn more about the duties and responsibilities are encouraged to call the Los Alamos Public Schools District Office at 505.663.2230. School Superintendent Gene Schmidt offered to meet with prospective candidates to help verify his/her School Board District, share an orientation PowerPoint about the role of a School Board member, and review the School Board member manual.