The Mono County Office of Education Board of Trustees election for Trustee Area Three, which encompasses communities within the Mammoth Unified School District, features three candidates competing for two available seats. Incumbents Dave Titus and Drea Perry are seeking re-election, challenged by Lara Kaylor. The candidates participated in email interviews with Mammoth Times, addressing their backgrounds, priorities, and approaches to MCOE's role in the community.
Lara Kaylor, an Eastern Sierra resident for nearly a quarter-century, lives with her husband, a local first responder and business owner, and their two young children, ages three and nine. She is the only candidate with children currently enrolled in local schools. A member of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Kaylor operates her own communication consulting business. She told Mammoth Times that her interest in running for the board developed from her participation in MCOE programs with her youngest child and attending board meetings to better understand its work. Kaylor believes her experience in journalism and public relations would be an asset to the board in spreading awareness of its resources.
In her view, MCOE's most urgent challenge is the community's lack of understanding regarding the full scope of its offerings. If elected, she stated she would “get into the trenches” to immerse herself in MCOE’s activities, which she believes would allow her to clearly communicate available resources and address community needs. She highlighted programs like Early Start, preschools, and charter schools as critical for a small, rural community, providing resources for families and alternative learning paths for children.
Kaylor also identified the MCOE Board's role as the Library Authority Board as an issue not receiving enough attention. She expressed a desire to collaborate with board peers and leadership to understand library staffing, programs, and other needs. This understanding, she believes, would help the community better grasp the reasons behind specific operational decisions. To engage minority parents, including Indigenous or Hispanic/Latino families and Spanish speakers, Kaylor proposed an employee survey. This survey, available in both English and Spanish, would be distributed by employers or made available at libraries and local groups, aiming to gain insight into parent involvement and communicate MCOE program income priorities. Kaylor also shared lessons from living in the Eastern Sierra, including resilience, telling Mammoth Times, “No matter what is thrown at me, I keep going.” She also cited the importance of being an excellent team player, noting the interconnectedness of the local community. Her involvement with children includes serving on the Mammoth Elementary School PTO, volunteering for book fairs and Run Club, and coaching soccer and robotics. She noted that children have taught her “to keep it simple,” and that they want to be heard and feel special, remaining enchanted by learning.
Dave Titus, a muralist and illustrator, has lived and worked in Mammoth Lakes for over three decades and is seeking his third term on the MCOE board. His extensive volunteering experience includes 17 years as a board member for Mono County Little League, 20 years coaching baseball, participation on Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation committees, and developing fundraisers. He has also served on the Mono Arts Council Board of Directors and contributed hundreds of hours mentoring students, including initiating programs like the Student Mural Mentorship Project. Titus told Mammoth Times that “Serving my community has always been part of who I am,” viewing the trustee role as a significant way to continue serving students.
Regarding MCOE’s most urgent issue, Titus identified “Securing continued funding for our services and programs” as a primary challenge for the organization. He cited the E-Rate program, which assists schools and libraries with telecommunications and internet services, as being under threat from proposed Federal Communications Commission rule changes. He emphasized that school districts depend on high-capacity connectivity for instruction, assessments, student information systems, safety, security, transportation, and family communications. Titus informed Mammoth Times that he regularly communicates with congressional representatives and files comments through governmental portals concerning issues such as E-rate. He believes openness and transparency are crucial for the board and MCOE. Titus personally advocates for more art programs in schools and the community, and for increasing tribal connections to MCOE programs and services. He also noted that each board member brings a unique perspective, making it important to listen to their interests. He highlighted that MCOE holds monthly public meetings and welcomes community members with any concerns. To better engage underrepresented communities, including Spanish-speaking families, Titus stated that “Bilingual instructors and staff make a difference,” but ultimately, it is about the attention given to families. He mentioned the Jan Work Community School as part of these efforts.