Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a Q&A series with Roaring Fork School District school board candidates. Responses from District E candidates Kathryn Kuhlenberg and Elizabeth Cockrill Taylor will appear in Wednesday’s edition of the Post Independent.

Tamara Nimmo is one of two candidates running for the open District A school board seat in the Roaring Fork School District. Nimmo and Jodi Barr are the two candidates competing to replace current District A representative Kenny Teitler, who announced in August that he won’t be seeking re-election.

District A extends south of Colorado Highway 82 and east of Highway 133, reaching as far as Woody Creek. An interactive map of district boundaries is available at rfschools.com.

Q: What made you run for the school board?

A: I am running for school board because it is the next “right” step for me in my long history of public school related work and volunteering. I started substituting when my oldest son was heading into kindergarten. He had a rare medical condition and I knew that he would be a lot for the school to manage. I chose to guest teach so I could be close by to help him and the staff if needed. I ended up substituting up and down the valley for about 9 years. When my youngest son started 1st grade, I became active in the PTO at CRES and then became the PTO President. Now, my son is in his last year at CRES and I’m looking towards the future. I hope the school board is my future way of continuing to serve my community and all of its kids.

Q: Tell us about your background and why you think you are a good fit for the school board? What is something that you want the community to know about you?

A: My already persistent presence in our public schools and my love for its schools are why I’m qualified. As a substitute teacher, I’ve been inside many of the schools and many of the classrooms. I have seen the kids and teachers and staff at work. i have seen first-hand some of what we are doing well and what we need to improve on. I have relationships with so many people in this community connected to the school and NOT connected (but affected) by the schools. I helped raise over $25,000 for CRES for three years in a row and helped the kids create Potato Day Parade floats that won the youth prize twice!

Q: If elected, what is something that you are most focused on to help improve the school district?

A: I want to focus most on the achievement gap that exists between the Latino students and their classmates.

Q: What do you think is the biggest problem RFSD is currently facing?

A: Attracting and retaining teachers. We need higher wages for them and housing!

Q: Do you support passage of ballot measure 7A, which would implement a quarter-cent sales tax to help increase access to early childcare in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys?

A: I Absolutely support ballot measure 7A.

Q: RFSD has faced a significant achievement gap between native English speakers and second language learners for years on end. How do you plan to emphasize new strategies to narrow the achievement gap?

A: I plan to study other schools and districts to see what is working and learn how we can use what is working elsewhere here in our schools. It can be done and now we are in a position to do it.