Lisa Tangler said she is running for the Romoland School District Board to advocate for students and give back to a community she has called home for 25 years.
Tangler, who is running for the Trustee Area 3 seat, has 35 years of experience as a teacher and school counselor. Her children attended Romoland schools, and her grandchildren currently attend schools in the district.
“I feel like my experience working directly with students and families could bring a lot to the table for our local school board,” Tangler said. “What happens inside a classroom, what teachers and support staff face, I definitely understand.”
Tangler began her career as an English teacher, working at both the middle and high school levels. She later earned her master’s degree and credential in school counseling and became a middle school counselor.
She spent the final 12 years of her career as the sole counselor at a continuation high school, where she worked with students on vocational education as well as social-emotional and behavioral issues.
Tangler said if elected, one of her priorities would be making sure board members are engaged with what is happening at individual school sites.
“The board needs to be present, attend school events, visit campuses, listen to the teachers, talk to the parents,” Tangler said. “It’s not just showing up to board meetings. It’s not just showing up at promotions or to celebrate achievements but get to know what’s going on in the schools.”
Growth is another issue Tangler said the district will have to continue addressing as more homes are built throughout the area.
Tangler pointed to the opening of Granite Hills TK-8 School last year and said continued growth could eventually create the need for another middle school.
“When I moved here, it was like sleepy little Romoland, Homeland where we could ride our horses everywhere,” Tangler said.
She said she has been attending school board meetings and reviewing district budgets and proposals to better understand the issues facing the district.
If elected, Tangler said she wants parents, employees and residents to feel comfortable approaching her with concerns as well as positive things happening in the schools. She also wants the board to keep students at the center of its decisions.
“I think sometimes we get so caught up in the bureaucracy of things, we forget to ask ourselves, ‘Is this what’s best for our students?’” Tangler said. “Are we making every single decision that is student centered?”
Tangler said she is proud to have the support of the Romoland Teachers Association and hopes to work collaboratively with employees and the community.
“We’re a small little district, and we should all be in this together,” Tangler said.
