Lasken resigns from school board

Glen Lasken will be leaving the Sisters School Board at the end of this school year, after serving for 13 years. He has one more year left on his current four-year term.

"I am stepping out of public life; it is time," said Lasken.

With both his sons, Jake, 20, and Bryant, 19, in college, Lasken has dialed his practice down to three-quarter time and is living part-time on Oahu.

Lasken, an attorney and 16-year resident of Sisters, opted to leave in June to allow for an easy transition for his replacement. The board will accept applications beginning immediately, with the final selection of a replacement to fill out the final year of Lasken's term to be made in June. This will allow the new board member to attend the board training/orientation session held in July.

"Glen's concern for the welfare of the district as a whole and for children in particular, his steadfastness and ability to see the big picture are some of the qualities I have come to appreciate," School Board Chair Chris Jones said.

"One thing that has drawn numerous families to Sisters are the local option dollars that enable us to maintain small class sizes and offer more diverse programs than other districts our size.

Glen is one of the most indefatigable local option campaigners and strategizers for the past three campaigns, a huge investment in the district's health.

Thirteen years of service on the school board is probably more than we should expect from anyone, given the enormous commitment of time and energy it entails, and we are grateful to him for his willingness to serve for so long."

Lasken was appointed to fill out a two-year term, and then elected three times to four-year terms.

"I don't remember what it was like to not be on the board," said Glen, "I've been on the board longer than most people have lived in Sisters."

Lasken has served with 13 other board members and five superintendents during his tenure with the Sisters School Board. He has also worked tirelessly promoting local option, canvassing more than 600 homes door to door for each election. The local option is a community tax voted on by school district residents of one-and-one-half percent over and above county property tax assessment. Revenues go specifically for local school funding.

"Despite the time and energy and effort - and sometimes the frustration - next to raising my two sons, it is the most meaningful thing I've done," said Lasken. "I really feel in my soul that our children are our future, and anything we can do to promote their health and their welfare and their education is good for our society. I think this is what makes our country great, is the idea that anybody should be able to pull themselves up through education to some level of greatness. To the extent that we can give every kid a chance I think that's been very meaningful to me. I consider education to be the great equalizer."

Lasken points to the Sisters High School building as "...the thing I would be most proud of. I spent four years of my life trying to pass the school bond and trying to make decisions on what it (the building) should look like. A lot of people spent a lot of energy and time across three elections to get that school bond passed. I feel there is a little piece of me there."

"Glen has been a tireless supporter of Sisters schools," Superintendent Jim Golden said. "Glen has given to this community selflessly for many years and I will miss having him on our board! I am grateful for his service and he is one of the reasons we have such outstanding schools!"

Lasken was also the Teen Court Judge for five years, as well as serving on the Sisters Schools Foundation, the Center Foundation, and as Little League president for three years.