School board to recognize outgoing trustee

The Davis school board will recognize outgoing trustee Richard Harris on Thursday night, when the board meets at 7 p.m. in the Community Chambers at Davis City Hall, 23 Russell Blvd.

Harris was elected to a four-year term in November 2007. He came into an additional fifth year of trustee duty when the school board recalibrated its election calendar to save money by moving elections from odd-numbered years to general elections in even-numbered years. It costs less to put the school board contest on the ballot then, because the costs are shared with elections for other offices and ballot propositions.

During his years on the board — including a term as president — Harris was a proponent for “green school” programs, including the arrays of solar panels now installed at Korematsu Elementary, Harper Junior High and Davis High schools.

Harris decided not to seek a second term, and instead volunteered to lead the campaign for the local school parcel tax Measure E, which was approved by voters on Nov. 6. He now plans to devote more of his energy to his job as a Sacramento lobbyist, and spend more time with family.

At Thursday’s meeting, Harris is expected to offer a bit of perspective on the challenges that currently face the public schools, and receive recognition from his colleagues. The meeting also will pause for a brief reception.

Trustee Susan Lovenburg was re-elected on Nov. 6, and Nancy Peterson was elected to fill Harris’ seat. They will be sworn in on Thursday, Dec. 20.

Elsewhere on the agenda, the school board will:

* Hear a presentation from Korematsu Elementary regarding classroom activities and other events at that campus; and

* Hear an update on the school district’s federally mandated Title III Improvement Plan, which focuses on programs serving students who are English learners.

Thursday’s meeting will be carried live on Davis cable Channel 17 and as live streaming video on www.djusd.tv.

— Reach Jeff Hudson at jhudson@davisenterprise.net or 530-747-8055.