Veteran educator Consuelo Lara, elected in 2020 to represent West County communities on the Contra Costa County Board of Education (CCCBOE), was selected as president of the Board on Wednesday.
Lara, 73, succeeds Sarah Butler as Board President. As president, the educator of 38 years, who taught 16 years at Helms Middle School and Richmond High School prior to her retirement, “will preside over County Board meetings, work with the Superintendent of Schools to prepare meeting agendas, appoint, form and dissolve committees subject to County Board approval, and represent the County Board as a spokesperson,” according to the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE).
Lara has also served on the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board of Education.
“I want to thank my colleagues on the County Board for trusting me to lead us in our work over the next year,” Lara said. “The last few years have shown us that the students we serve have tremendous needs and I look forward to working closely with Superintendent Mackey and my colleagues to ensure they have the resources necessary to be successful.”
During her career, Lara taught at the elementary, high school and adult school levels in Pittsburg, Martinez, San Pablo and Richmond. Since leaving the classroom, she has served as a Senior Peer Counselor for the elderly population in West County, founded a Future Teachers Club and mentored students at Richmond High School, according to the CCCOE.
Mike Maxwell, who represents Area 4 (Blackhawk, Clayton, Danville, San Ramon, and parts of Alamo and Concord) was selected as vice president.
