Mark Becker is new SLV school board trustee

Consulting scientist Mark Becker has been appointed to the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District, effective Feb. 1, replacing Kathleen Ritchie, who resigned in December.
Becker will represent the Area Two board seat, serving rural Boulder Creek.
 “I will be honored to serve the school district and the members of the community, and particularly the students,” Becker said in a statement.
Becker has been a long-time resident of the school district. He has served in the schools as the following: Treasurer of Charter Family Booster Club, Boulder Creek Elementary Site Council, and San Lorenzo Middle School Site Council.
Becker works professionally as a principle scientist for Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.
Ritchie had served on the board for 12 years.
In compliance with Board Bylaw 9223, the District advertised the vacancy within 10 days of Ritchie’s resignation and announced the application process along with the timeline for submitting an application. Three residents of Trustee Area Two applied to fill the Board vacancy: Becker, Michael Hickey, and Susan Seeger.
“All of the applicants have or had children in the SLV schools,” stated Dr. Laurie Bruton, superintendent of schools. “We are very fortunate to have involved parents in this community. They are the heart and soul of why we can serve students so effectively.”
The SLV school board held interviews on Jan. 18 iin open session with an audience of about 20 people. “It is part of the SLV Board’s commitment to transparency in all issues,” stated George Wylie, a long-time trustee from Brookdale.
Unless a petition calling for a special election is filed in the office of the County Superintendent within 30 days of this provisional appointment, it shall become an effective appointment on Feb. 18.