Erin Green would be a great asset to the LAPS School Board

[Lauren Coupland]

Madam President and School Board Members, 

I am writing to express my support for Erin Green for School Board.

Erin Green is an active member of the Los Alamos community.  She has shown leadership and a clear desire to positively impact the youth of Los Alamos.  While her family deemed that homeschooling was the best option for their special needs children, she has still been supportive of her local elementary school.  She is a Girl Scout leader for her daughter's grade, and maintains connections with her school cohort even while homeschooling.  

In the past year and before, many families of special needs children have chosen or considered the same path that the Green family has taken - disenrolling students to homeschool, or to attend a private school.  I personally know several families that have made this choice.  If children with special needs are leaving the district, we need to look at why.  Who better to help the district identify weak spots and craft policies that help special needs students succeed in the district than a parent who has had to make that choice? This is a district wide problem, and we need someone of Erin's experience to analyze and address the issue.  

Los Alamos Public Schools has a diverse population.  According to the Los Alamos Public Schools NM PED  Report Card for 2015-2016   41% of the student body are people of color.  Erin heads the county's Racial Equity & Inclusivity Task Force.  With Erin Green on the School Board, Los Alamos can be a leader in addressing racial justice issues.   The Yazzie/Martinez case requires New Mexico Schools to implement a Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Educational System.  With her experience from her masters program, as well as her volunteer work, Erin is uniquely qualified to help LAPS navigate any changes required by the Yazzie/Martinez ruling.  

Los Alamos Public Schools would be lucky to have Erin Green on the School Board.  

Lauren Coupland