SLO Reporter

Consuelo Lara, a longtime educator and community advocate, was selected as the Contra Costa County Board of Education President on Wednesday evening.  
Lara, 73, succeeds Sarah Butler as Board President. She represents Area 1, which includes the cities of El Cerrito, El Sobrante, San Pablo, Pinole, and parts of Kensington and Richmond. 
“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.” 
As president, Lara 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. 
Lara was an educator in Contra Costa County for 38 years. She taught at the elementary, high school and adult school levels in Pittsburg, Martinez, San Pablo and Richmond. Before retiring, she taught for 16 years in the West Contra Costa Unified School District at Helms Middle School and Richmond High School. Since leaving the classroom, Lara 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. 
She was elected to the County Board in 2020 and previously served as a member of the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board of Education. 
Mike Maxwell, who represents Area 4 (Blackhawk, Clayton, Danville, San Ramon, and parts of Alamo and Concord) was selected as Vice President. 

Original source can be found here.