PRINEVILLE, OR -- Steve Holliday was appointed to the Crook County School board at Monday night’s special meeting.
23 people put their names up for consideration. The board unanimously chose Holliday. “Like everyone else Steve Holliday was my top choice. I worked with him on the Powell Butte Charter school board for a few years. He’s been on it for, I believe, eight. I find him to be exceedingly reasonable,” said board chair Jessica Ritter.
The board was allowed to make the appointment after a judge ruled in the district’s favor last week over a lawsuit filed by incoming members to block the appointment.
Those newly elected members dubbed ‘the mama bears’ begin their term next week.
During the brief meeting, Ritter said the judge at Thursday’s hearing told her he was handling the appointment decision like a divorce. “He said he would really like to see this board and the new board do absolutely anything we can for the good of the kids.”
Outgoing member Doug Smith said he thinks Holliday has the right skill set, after having served with him on other boards, “I know he has a way of reaching out and creating compromise. That will come in very, very handy.”
Ritter and Smith lost their re-election bids, along with Patti Norris.
Board member Scott Cooper cited Holliday’s time as chair of the Powell Butte Charter school board as a reason he was chosen, “Knowing that we need experience on this board to guide things, he would be my first choice.” Cooper is the only veteran member of the Crook County School Board.
Holliday was sworn-in Monday night, and replaces Gwen Carr who stepped down in May due to a chronic injury.
After Monday’s meeting, the Crook County School District released the following statement:
‘The Crook County School Board held a Special Meeting Monday night and appointed Steve Holliday to fill the vacant at-large board position. He was sworn in tonight by outgoing Board Chair Jessica Ritter. Holliday grew up in Prineville and went to work for Les Schwab Tires after graduating from
Crook County High School. He and his wife, Emily, have three children and were longtime owners of Prineville Disposal. Holliday has been active in the community for years and has served on various boards, including the Prineville Chamber of Commerce, Prineville Economic Development, Powell Butte Community Charter School, and the Crooked River RoundUp.
“I’m excited to get started and help make sure our school district remains a positive place for students, staff, and families. My three children have attended local schools, and my youngest will be a junior at Crook County High School in the fall. I’m eager to work collaboratively with the incoming school board to ensure high student achievement, maintain a great staff culture, plan for future growth, and make needed repairs to older buildings,” said newly-appointed Crook County School Board member Steve Holliday.
The school board declared the vacancy on May 26th and received 23 applications from interested community members. Scott Cooper, who will be the only current board member still serving come July, says it’s time to move forward and get back to school district business.
“School Board member Steve Holliday brings experience and knowledge to the table and will hit the ground running as the new board cements its role in district operations. I look forward to working with him and the other three new board members starting in July,” said school board member Scott Cooper.
Holliday replaces Gwen Carr, who resigned in early June after a head injury. He’ll fill out the remainder of her term through June 2025. Holliday will be joined by Scott Cooper and newly-elected board members Cheyenne Edgerly, Jessica Brumble, and Jennifer Knight. They will take their oaths of office during the regular board meeting on July 5th.’
