Editor,
I am writing to endorse Melanie Colgan for Los Alamos School Board, District 4 (Barranca/North Mesa). As the sitting Board member for this District, it has been an honor and a privilege to serve and I look forward to passing the torch to a candidate who is as uniquely qualified for this position as Melanie. While we are lucky to have two wonderful candidates for this District, Melanie is exceptionally qualified and will bring her experience and expertise to the board for the benefit of our schools, staff, parents and students.
Melanie has lived in Los Alamos with her husband and their five children, for 16 years. During this time, she has volunteered in our community as a past PTO President at Barranca Elementary School (starting the tradition of the Bobcat Bonanza fundraiser), a building planning committee member, represented Barranca Elementary School on the Parent District Council, LAPS Bond committee member, volunteered in the classroom and has coached both basketball and Little League Softball. She has served as a Girl Scout troop leader, is a graduate of Leadership Los Alamos and is a long time Sunday School Teacher. She knows the issues of so many of our children, parents, and teachers because she has actively worked with them for so long.
She has a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (Auburn University) and a Masters of Science in Nursing Education (UNM) with experience working as a Critical Care Nurse in multiple states. Since 2016 she has been the program coordinator and instructor for the UNM Los Alamos Certified Nursing Assistant program and is also an Assistant Nursing Professor at Northern New Mexico College.
A good school board is more than just a sum of its parts, as different members bring varied experience and expertise to work for the board. Melanie’s background in nursing and higher education will bring a unique and important perspective to the school board. As a local college professor, she knows what knowledge and skills students need to succeed after they leave the Los Alamos school district. She also understands that not every student may attend a traditional four-year university and skill based/certificate programs are crucial, so that the needs of students at every level can be met.
She will use her professional, volunteer, and life experiences to benefit the Los Alamos School District. As a result of all these experiences, she can represent different groups in the community and ensure that all have a voice in making educational and administrative decisions. As a school board member, she will be a conduit for the concerns and interests of teachers, parents, and students. Please vote for Melanie Colgan for LAPS School Board.
Andrea Cunningham
School Board Member for District 4 (Feb. 2015-Dec. 31, 2019)