Bend-La Pine Schools Board of Directors Fills Empty Seat

In a special meeting on Tuesday, the Bend-La Pine Schools Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint Ross Tomlin to fill an empty seat on the board.

Tomlin is a La Pine resident and president emeritus at Tillamook Bay Community College. He was appointed to the Zone 6 at-large seat, beating out two other top candidates for the position. The seat was open after Melissa Barnes Dholakia resigned in April to apply for the deputy superintendent position, a role that eventually went to Lisa Berk, former executive director of Elementary Programs in the district.

Ross Tomlin joins the Bend-La Pine Schools Board of Directors. Credit: Bend-La Pine Schools

Tomlin said he and his wife moved to La Pine four years ago, but the two previously lived in Bend where Tomlin taught at Central Oregon Community College. Before retiring this past February, Tomlin spent 20 years as an instructor and 23 years as a college administrator, according to a press release from the district.

“The bulk of my career has been in education which is one of my life’s passions,” Tomlin told the board during his opening remarks. “I want to continue to use my skills and experience in this area, to continue advancing high quality, effective education to all the students in the district,” he said.

Brandy Berlin, a former teacher and business owner, and Jenn Lynch, a managing partner at Bend Venture Conference Funds and a managing director at Portland Seed Fund, were the other two finalists considered for the seat.

“I do feel my goals in education align well with your goals, especially in the areas of developing strong academics, helping students to find their life passion and focusing on encouraging diversity, equity and inclusion,” Tomlin told the board.

After a series of questions to each candidate, board member Amy Tatom motioned to appoint Tomlin to the position, followed by a second from Cameron Fischer.

“I just want to say I am so impressed with the three of you. Your statements and your answers, and I’m really grateful to you and the others that applied for wanting to serve Bend La-Pine Schools,” Fischer said. “I very much appreciate that commitment to public service and to our kids.” She went on to note that Tomlin’s background in higher education and being a member of La Pine was much appreciated and needed on the board.

Marcus LeGrand, board chair, encouraged the other candidates to continue to speak out as community members and keep raising their voices on issues important to them.

This article appears in Source Weekly November 14, 2024.