Helping the Natrona County School District be its best is the motivation for members involved in the Committee to Encourage People to Run for the School Board.

"There's no reason we can't be top in the nation with the kind of people (we have) and the kind of money we're spending," said Randy Hall, a parent involved with the committee.

At their first public meeting on Thursday, committee members said the current school board needs as much help as possible in working through hot topics, such as schools of choice.

The committee's main focus is to encourage potential candidates to run for school board. Six board seats are open in the fall election.

The group indicated it will only serve as a support or informational group for potential candidates and will not act as a political action committee or advertise for specific candidates or issues.

"I think as citizens, maybe we need to take a bigger part in it," said parent and committee member Marc Smith.

Current board member Steve Degenfelder was at Thursday's meeting to offer insight into what trustees do and to learn more about the committee's concerns.

"Nobody can make all the right decisions," Degenfelder said. "(But) what people are passionate about, myself included, is the education of kids."

Members also said they want the committee to offer solutions to issues, and not just complain about what's wrong.

"I find myself quite dissatisfied with the current board and upper administration," said Jim Mothersbaugh, a strings and orchestra teacher in the district. "I want to find solutions."

"We need the very, very best people we can find," said Fred Maguire, an instructional facilitator at Kelly Walsh High School.

Member Kristy Thompson echoed Maguire's words.

"We need school board members that have an honesty and integrity about them," and who are willing fight for the best education for children, Thompson said.

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com