The Natrona County school board meets twice a month to work through issues in Natrona County, and recognize and celebrate achievements made by schools, staff members and students.

But not every board member can attend those meetings on a regular basis.

A trustee attendance report released by the school district shows most trustees miss a meeting or two during the year. In one case, a trustee has missed approximately one-third of meetings from 2007 to 2008.

Donn McCall, who is running for re-election this year, has a 64 percent attendance rate for 2008. His attendance rate for 2007 was 72 percent.

McCall said his work as an attorney sends him out of town fairly often, and in 2005, he missed several meetings after the death of his son.

"Over my 16 years on the board, there were long periods of time, over several years, when my attendance was probably closer to 100 percent," McCall said. "I think if you'd ask anybody else, I have put in the service. I stay up with the issues and provide a lot of input on decisions."

It's also important to realize a trustee's job is more than attending board meetings every month, McCall said. Members serve on board committees, offer their time for Interest-Based Agreement Process meetings and put in hours working in the community.

McCall noted he served as board treasurer in 2006, and that he also serves as the chairman for the Board of Cooperative Education Services.

"It's not just a couple meetings a month," McCall said. "It is something that you put in a lot of time behind the scenes, and I have done that over the years."

Board chairman Shannon Jackett said it's extremely important for trustees to attend meetings. Jackett's own attendance rate was 95 percent in 2007.

"Really, we only have two meetings a month," Jackett said. "If you miss even one, you miss a lot of what's going on."

Trustees are elected because the public feels they'll serve them, Jackett continued. If she knew she couldn't handle the time commitment for being a trustee, she probably wouldn't run, she said.

"I believe when you do this, it is a responsibility that you told the community that elected you, you would fill," Jackett said. "And you not being there, it can be detrimental to the board."

On the flip side, Jackett said life doesn't stop just because someone is a school board member. Things happen.

"I get sick children, and can't attend a board meeting," Jackett said.

"I understand things happen," she said. "But if you can't fill the commitment, then you probably shouldn't be there. When family stuff comes up, when personal stuff comes up, I do understand."

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

Trustee attendance for 2008

Below are the attendance rates for all board members for this year as of Sept. 8.

Board member Pct

Jim Bush 68.8

Josh Carnahan 81.3

Steve Degenfelder 87.5

Elizabeth Horsch 100

Shannon Jackett 93.8

Donn McCall 62.5

Linda Nix 93.8

Tandi Rinker 100

Suzanne Sandoval 93.8

Seeking relection

Below are attendance rates for candidates seeking re-election from 2005. Steve Degenfelder was elected to the board in November 2006, Josh Carnahan was appointed in February 2007 and Tandi Rinker was appointed in February 2008.

Board member 2008 2007 2006 2005

Pct Pct Pct Pct

Steve Degenfelder 87.5 86.4 - -

Josh Carnahan 81.3 73.7 - -

Elizabeth Horsch 100 90.9 81.8 90.9

Donn McCall 62.5 72.7 45.5 54.5

Tandi Rinker 100 - - -