Roaring Fork School District Re-1 is looking for a board member to replace Garfield County Commissioner-elect Tresi Houpt. At Wednesday evening’s regular meeting, board members discussed how they will fill the position.

Houpt will officially resign from the board at its Dec. 11 meeting.

“We’re all excited about Tresi’s new post, but it was also sad talking about accepting her resignation,” said board member Sue Hakanson.

Houpt has served on the Re-1 board for seven years, and is nearing the end of her second term. Her replacement will serve on the board for one year.

Houpt represents District C, which includes portions of Carbondale, Cattle Creek, and Four Mile Road and reaches as far north as Hyland Park Drive in Glenwood Springs.

“We’re looking for people who are interested in public education and in making a difference,” said Re-1 Board President Robin Garvik.

Anyone who is interested in applying for the position should contact Joan Telinde, the school board’s secretary, at 384-6000.

At Wednesday’s meeting, board members also received an update on an affordable-housing survey that was recently distributed to district teachers and staff. The school board is considering building affordable staff housing directly behind Basalt High School.

In addition to the surveys, the district has held two open houses on the property to determine staff’s interest and need. After the surveys have been compiled, school board members will review moving forward on a housing plan.

In addition, Garvik reported she attended a presentation on Monday by education consultant Pete Karabatsos. The presentation looked at the benefits of combining the district’s three education foundations into one.

“We’re looking at the possibility of consolidating the Roaring Fork, Basalt and Carbondale education foundations into one organization,” said Garvik.

Presently, the three foundations operate independent from one another.

“Our energies are fractured,” Garvik said. “Pete’s presentation pointed out that we might be more effective if we’re not duplicating efforts.”

Garvik said by creating an all-inclusive education foundation, the district could go after larger funding sources.

“It would allow us to get into the big leagues in terms of grants,” she said.

Garvik said that Basalt Education Foundation members were receptive to Karabatsos’ presentation.

Carbondale Education Foundation members wanted to have further discussion amongst themselves regarding the creation of one foundation with the district’s other two groups. If all foundation members agree, the board will consider creating one education foundation in the future.