Carrie Chavez joins Ruidoso school board

Ruidoso Municipal School Board announced the selection of Carrie Chavez to fill the seat vacated by Gillian Baudo.

Chavez, an Agent at State Farm Insurance Services on Mechem drive and elected by  unanimous decision, was sworn it by Ruidoso Magistrate Judge Katie Graham Lund.

Baudo stepped down after moving out of the district. Chavez was one of two persons nominated for the position.

“I appreciate both of you both willing to serve your schools and your community and your interest and willingness to help the board,” said president of the school board Luther Light.

The board had 45 days to find a replacement for Baudo.

“Having two people step up this time and put their name in is great,” said board member Shane Holder.

“Thank you both for expressing interest in this. I just want to reiterate the same thing as member Holder, that I do appreciate this,” said Vice President Marc Beatty.

Chavez was chosen following the issuance of questionnaires to the public, and interviews with some members of the school board.

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“I was shocked when I heard the board picked me. I am hoping to make a difference, somehow," Chavez said.

A mother of four — all attending Ruidoso Schools — Chavez has lived in Ruidoso for 13 years.

“I have been approached several times over the years to run. So, I finally decided to,” she said.

Safety a priority

While serving on the board, Chavez would like to focus on safety issues.

“My biggest concerns for the children is safety. I believe it should be a huge priority. I do not think we do a bad job now, when it comes to safety, but I would like to see some changes. I do not like sending my kids to school thinking that it may be the last time I see them, with everything going on these days. I want to be able to confidently say that when I drop my kids off at school, that they are going to be protected.”

The addition to the schools on White Mountain opened this year and the area became congested with the merging of NobHill.

The number of student drop-offs increased, leading to the traffic control facilitated by Ruidoso Police. 

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Driver inattention to speed limit signs, flashing lights at both ends of White Mountain clearly marked "during school hours" continue to be an issue.

“I have kids at four different schools. I drive it every morning, and it is a nightmare. I would like to see it change. My husband is a lieutenant on the Ruidoso Police Department, and we have talked about it and the concern for safety. He and I have talked about ways I can help with the drop off and pick up area,” she said.

The speed limit is 15 miles an hour on White Mountain Road and 20 on Warrior drive.

“I know when the school’s first opened this year it was being patrolled, I do not think anyone realized how much traffic there would be. Also, in the beginning of the year, parents were dropping off their children more during, but after a while they let them start riding the buses,” Chavez said.

Chavez said that while there was a discussion about placing a traffic light on the corner of White Mountain and Hull, the idea never took root.

“The concern is that a traffic light in the area would actually cause more problems compared what we are seeing today. The traffic would be worse than it is now. A traffic signal would slow the flow even more." 

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Meet Carrie Chavez

Chavez is a softball coach, and spends some three days a week at practice with a team that often travels out of town for games.

“I love doing this. We are in the season now and this will continue until June,” she said. “My parents help me out a lot. In one week we may need to get to three different games.”

“My husband and I both have many connections in Ruidoso, and I think that will help me to better serve on the school board."

Chavez said her family is active in church as well, preparing meals at church, the children are involved with the youth group, and her husband takes care of security at the church.

“We don’t spend time watching television. We spend time as a family."

Despite the busy schedule, Chavez said she can make the time to serve on the school board which meets for two open meetings a month. 

“When I first started thinking about serving on the school board, I wanted to be sure I had the time to do it. Then I realized, I cannot keep saying I do not have time to do it. By the time my kids graduate I would have been able to be a part of it. I cannot use that excuse, I cannot use the excuse that I am busy for anything. Eventually, I will have my time when I cans it and relax,” Chavez said.

“I am pretty busy as it is, but I believe in doing something for your community, something for your kids. Not just sitting back and watching everybody else do it. I felt that being on the school board was the best way for me to get involved with my kids’ education."

In November the board will hold elections, and Chavez will need to run for the position if she wishes to hold her current seat.

“I have been approached by a lot of people and they tell me what they would like to see changed. We will see what issues and concerns come up and how they can be addressed," Chavez said.

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Those wishing to run for a position on the school board or any other position within the school district should contact the Ruidoso Municipal School District.

“I love living in Ruidoso and I believe in Public Education. I have family members that are teachers. I just want to do my part and educate myself about how everything works because a lot of things you can not just say you want to change them. You have to go through the process, it takes time.

"I want to know why things are the way they are at the schools, and do my part in improving our schools. I believe we have a great administration here, we have great teachers and we have a brand new beautiful school. You work through everything in life. I want people to want to come teach at our schools. I want to do my part,"  Chavez said.

To learn more about Ruidoso schools, go to www.ruidososchools.org.

Pamela L. Bonner can be reached at 575-202-5555, Pbonner@Ruidosonews.com or at 575-257-4001 ext. 4102.