Lauri Kemper selected to fill vacant seat on Lake Tahoe Unified School Board of Trustees

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In a 3-1 vote the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Board of Trustees voted to bring retired engineer Lauri Kemper on board to fill Barbara Bannar's term.

Bannar resigned in March and her term ends December 2022.

Originally there were three candidates but one dropped out of the running, Chris Proctor, leaving Kemper and David Wise. Interviews took place during the Tuesday LTUSD Board meeting on ZOOM, each candidate having two minutes to answer each of the board's ten questions.

"This is an incredibly difficult choice," said Board Clerk Troy Matthews.

"Both have a passion to be on the board, we will not go wrong with either candidate," said Board President Larry Riley.

The other two board members, Brandi Bannister and Bonnie Turnbull echoed those sentiments.

Bannister was the lone dissent on Kemper's selection, opting to back Wise. After Kemper's selection they all thanked Wise for his interest and encouraged him to continue to participate with schools in their robotics departments as a volunteer, and to come back again and run for office.

Wise graduated South Tahoe High as the class valedictorian in 2010, then went on to graduate from MIT and returned to South Lake Tahoe where he currently works for TechGearLab and OutdoorGearLab. If selected he said he would have stressed communication and keep the board open, accessible, and transparent. He also stressed being an advocate for the students.

Kemper retired from Lahontan Water Board where she worked for over three decades. She said she has attended school board meetings and understands their procedures, budgets, and programs. She said she is seasoned with board meetings and has made public presentations for years.

"I am a problem solver," said Kemper. She said she can take on a complex issue and work with others of different backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles.

In her application, Kemper said she would support and work together with the new superintendent and district staff in making progress on district and statewide goals. Set priorities and identify actions. Support and expand what’s working and eliminate what’s not, improve communication and collaboration district-wide (involve others). "I want to do my part by listening to concerns, soliciting input, and sharing information throughout the district.," she said.

After being sworn in via ZOOM, Kemper started right away as a board member for the rest of Tuesday's meeting.