Farmington School Board Swears In Members, Elects Officers, Honors Teachers, Students

Farmington Municipal Schools completed its organizational meeting on Jan. 13, formalizing leadership and recognizing recent staff and student achievements that have implications for classroom quality and local workforce development.

The board voted unanimously to appoint Krista Lee McWilliams as president, Andra Stradling as vice president, Lisa Lynn Maxwell as secretary, and Deazhan Maize as deputy secretary. Presiding District Judge Brenna Clani-Washinawatok administered the oaths to Andra Stradling, Deazhan Maize and newly elected member Alyssa Begay. The unanimous votes underscore initial cohesion among trustees as the board begins its new term.

District recognitions were a central part of the meeting. Eight teachers who earned National Board Certification were honored, a credential tied to advanced professional standards that can affect teacher retention, classroom practice and district professional development priorities. Students participating in the 2025 Petroleum Engineering Mentorship Class also received recognition; that program is a partnership involving Piedra Vista High School, Farmington High School, San Juan College High School and industry partners. The mentorship class serves as a direct pipeline between secondary education and local technical careers, reinforcing ties between schools and San Juan County employers.

Board president McWilliams outlined top priorities for the board: improving academic proficiency, strengthening student safety and well-being, and maintaining fiscal responsibility. She emphasized working with district leaders, teachers, staff and families to move the district forward, framing these aims as the governance agenda for the coming year. Those focal points will inform the board’s approach to budgeting, staffing, and program support decisions that affect classroom outcomes and student services.

For local taxpayers and families, the selections and recognitions carry practical consequences. Board leadership steers policy review, sets meeting agendas, and guides adoption of the annual budget; a focus on fiscal responsibility will shape how limited resources are allocated across academic programs, safety initiatives and extracurricular opportunities. The spotlight on National Board Certified teachers and the petroleum mentorship program signals district investments in both instructional quality and career-technical education, areas likely to influence student pathways and local workforce readiness.

Looking ahead, the newly organized board will begin addressing the district’s policy and budget calendar. Residents who follow school finance, staffing changes and program expansions can expect these topics to move into sharper focus at upcoming regular board meetings. The decisions made under this leadership will determine how the district balances academic gains, student supports and fiscal constraints in the year ahead.