Nancy Bennett and Michelle Hutchins, who were recently sworn in to serve Trustee Areas Four (Caspar, Cleone, Fort Bragg, Leggett, Piercy, and Westport) and Three (Covelo, Laytonville, and Willits), respectively.
January is School Board Recognition Month, a time to honor the dedication and service of school board members who play a vital role in shaping the educational landscape. In this spirit, the Mendocino County Board of Education (MCOE) is proud to welcome its newest members, Nancy Bennett and Michelle Hutchins, who were recently sworn in to serve Trustee Areas Four (Caspar, Cleone, Fort Bragg, Leggett, Piercy, and Westport) and Three (Covelo, Laytonville, and Willits), respectively.
Bennett and Hutchins bring valuable experience and fresh perspectives to the Board. They step into roles previously held by Drew Duncan (Trustee Area Four) and Charline Ford (Trustee Area Three).
Nancy Bennett is a parent and small business owner with a longstanding commitment to school-based volunteerism. She is excited about the number of programs, pathways, and tools offered to students now, noting the opportunities are much greater than when she was a student.
“For me, this is the next step in serving my community. I’m excited about participating on a county level and serving as a dedicated and active advocate for our families, students, and educators,” Bennett said. She aims to focus on supporting policies and programs that lead our students to succeed while investing in teachers and staff.
Michelle Hutchins is a parent and education consultant. She served as the Mendocino County Superintendent of Schools from 2019 to 2022 and is excited to use her experience to serve the Mendocino County Board of Education.
“I am dedicated to ensuring that all students in our county have the opportunities and support they need to thrive,” Hutchins said. She aims to collaborate with the Board in addressing local needs while also advocating for meaningful policy changes at the state level that benefit Mendocino County schools.
The Mendocino County Board of Education also includes Board President Marilyn Puget, who represents Trustee Area One (Calpella, Hopland, Potter Valley, Redwood Valley, Talmage/Ukiah East), Vice President Donald Cruser, who represents Trustee Area Five (Boonville, Comptche, Navarro, Philo, Mendocino to Gualala), and Larry Olson who represents Trustee Area Two (Ukiah).
“Board members are our elected representatives and a vital link between the school district and the community,” said Superintendent Nicole Glentzer. “They ensure that policies support the needs of students and advocate for the needs of students and staff, all with the aim of supporting and elevating student achievement.”
As we celebrate School Board Recognition Month, MCOE thanks all school board members throughout Mendocino County for their leadership and advocacy for high-quality education.
"I hope you'll join me in appreciating dedicated board members across Mendocino County for their work in supporting students through thoughtful policies and advocacy for increased resources for our rural schools," said Superintendent Glentzer.