Crane board member earns state award

A Crane Elementary School District board member recently received the All-Arizona School Board Award from the Arizona School Boards Association.

Mary Garcia was presented with the prestigious recognition at an annual ASBA conference in Phoenix on Dec. 13 for her service to the district, stated Superintendent Bob Klee. She was one of five from across the state to be honored.

“It caught me off guard, but it was very exciting. It's not something that happens every day. After 14 years on the board, it was a very nice recognition,” said Garcia, who was recently elected to another four-year term.

She said the Crane board had nominated her to be considered for the honor earlier in the year, and she was also required to submit three letters of recommendation as part of the application.

Garcia said that often board members put in many hours of hard work and receive little recognition for it. The majority of the time, she said, people will contact a school board member when they are upset about something.

“As board members, first of all we are not paid, it is an elected position so it's a real commitment. I love the staff and students and the Crane community and that's exactly why I do it. To be recognized for all of the hard work you do is not expected, but when it does happen, it's very nice.”

She said that the fact that she was getting the award didn't really hit her until she was standing up in front of hundreds of people and she looked down at where her Crane family was sitting. Garcia noted that the majority of the Crane board was present, as well as many members of the district administration.

“That is when it hit me, that this was really happening.”

To highlight her achievements, there was a brief presentation at the awards banquet sharing quotes from her letters of recommendation.

“That's probably when I got most emotional when I could see what other people said about me,” said Garcia.

During Garcia's tenure, Crane has opened six new schools and built classrooms and other additions to two other campuses.

“Mary recognizes and honors the importance of her position as a governing board member by her regular attendance at ASBA trainings, county workshops, delegate assemblies and state conferences,” said Klee.

“Mary is extremely well-informed about community and state issues and is always well prepared for board meetings. Mary is a woman of high moral character with strong values and high expectations for herself and the Crane District.”

Sarah Womer can be reached at swomer@yumasun.com or 539-6858. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSSarahWomer or on Twitter at @YSSarahWomer.