Dougherty, Velasquez Tapped as 2013 HUSD Board President, Vice President

a longtime Healdsburg civic volunteer and former Healdsburg Kiwanis Club president, was chosen Wednesday as Healdsburg Unified School District Board President for 2013 in the annual rotation of leadership on the school panel.

"I'm dedicating this year of service to my best friend who I grew up with in Oklahoma," Dougherty said, referring to his boyhood pal, a longtime local school board leader, who died of heart disease at age 45. "I only hope to do half the job that he did."

Board member Judy Velasquez was elected HUDS Vice President for next year.

Dougherty was sworn in by outgoing President Genevieve Llerena. Llerena and fellow board members Ted Crowell and Velasquez were reelected in November to another four-year term. They were sworn in Wednesday by HUSD Superintendent Jeff Harding.

Also Wednesday, three HUSD educators were celebrated for winning top honors from two statewide education groups.

Recognized were:

--Bruce Standifer, a teacher at Healdsburg Junior High, who was named "Educator of the Year" by the California League of Middle Schools.

--Ilene Frommer, Healdsburg High School Counselor, who was named "Educator of the Year" by the California League of High Schools.

--Annie Millar, HUSD's Director of Curriculum and Instruction, who was named "Administrator of the Year" by the California League of Middle Schools.

All three were praised by their colleagues for outstanding work and dedication.

In addition, Harding made a special tribute to Millar, saying that she not only performed the technical aspects of her job with excellence, but that she provided a "moral compass" and served as "the conscience of the district," he said.

Millar said her "mission was success for each and every student," and that "it was a joy to be part of this challenge of helping to shift education into the 21st century," she said.

She also said she was pleased to play a role in finding ways to greater embrace diversity in the education system.

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