Sarver will fill school board spot

The Sisters School Board selected Asa Sarver to fill the vacancy created by Don Hedrick’s resignation, at a special meeting held Thursday, June 23. The result came a week after the Board deadlocked on the initial vote due to board member David Thorsett’s absence.

At the initial meeting last week Sarver and Josette Johnson each received two votes. The third applicant, Rodney Cooper,

received no votes.

At the outset of the meeting, Hedrick asked to say a few words for the record, to express his appreciation to the board and the community as a whole.

“I would like to thank the rest of the Board; it’s been a privilege to work with all of you. Keep up the good work that we have started. I also want to publicly thank all the people who have sent me cards and emails, and so forth. I have appreciated all of that, but there are too many for me to respond to personally.”

The focus then turned to Thorsett for the deciding vote. Since he had been unable to listen to a recording of the previous week’s meeting, he referred to the meeting transcript, but ultimately suggested the Board allow him to ask the two applicants, who were present, questions about themselves and why they were interested in being appointed to the board. The Board approved the request, allowing Thorsett to address the pair.

Thorsett ultimately cast his vote for Sarver, but made it clear he felt the two were both well qualified.

“The only real difference,” he said, “was that Asa had more experience on other boards.

Following the meeting, Sarver took some time to answer questions for The Nugget.

When asked about his move to Sisters, his educational background, and his work experience, he said, “I moved to Sisters with my wife and two sons in March of 2020, at the start of the COVID pandemic.

We’ve been coming to Sisters for many years, and decided to move here for the quality of life and slower pace.

We’d always heard good things about the Sisters School District and were looking for a place where our kids could get a great education.

I grew up in Evergreen, Colorado and got my bachelor’s degree in resort management at Colorado State University.

After graduating, I moved to Vail, Colorado, to manage fine dining restaurants.

In 1999, I moved to Big Sky, Montana, where I was the hospitality director for the Yellowstone Club, a private ski area.

In 2004, I moved to Carlton, Oregon, to work for Ken Wright Cellars as their national/international sales manager.

In 2019, my family and I spent seven months living in Costa Rica, and since then I’ve started my own small business offering private consulting for Oregon wineries.”

Sarver elaborated on his decision to apply for appointment.

“I volunteered for the school board position because I want what is best for my children and children in the Sisters community,” he said. “In my view, the best way to advocate for all kids in Sisters is by being proactive and involved in the community.”

When asked about his understanding of the role of the School Board, Sarver stated, “The role of a School Board member is to ensure policies are in place for strong educational access for all, as well as awareness of an ever-changing job market. I also believe safety in schools is a top concern, and making sure policies reflect what can best keep our kids and teachers safe. I don’t view the role as political, and my goal is to create conversation and compromise as Sisters continues to grow.”

In addition, school boards are responsible for hiring and evaluating the superintendent, and the board works closely with the superintendent in budget development and budget approval.

Sarver express-ed his commitment to helping ensure that all students get the support they need to succeed.

“School is a formative experience for all kids, and I want the students in Sisters to know they are supported,” he said.

He views the building of the new elementary school as the big focus in the next two years.

“This will be a core project for the School Board for the next several years,” he said. “I also look forward to learning more about the needs and programs at the middle and high schools.”

In his short time in Sisters, Sarver has found the school district to be serving students and families

well.

“As the parent of a child in Sisters Elementary School, I’ve been impressed with the quality of education and communication my wife and I have experienced,” he said. “Our son has had excellent teachers who have been supportive of what he needs, and we love the small class sizes at the elementary school. I truly feel that my son’s teachers have cared about him and his success, and my son is thriving. What more could a parent want?”

Sarver describes himself as a “people person” who loves to ski, play ice hockey, and mountain bike.

“I’m looking forward to serving the Sisters community,” he said. “This is a powerful community, and when we work together we can create positive change for our students.”

The Board will elect a new chair at the next monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 6.

Jeff Smith’s position expires in 2023, which will be the next opportunity for citizens to run for the School Board.