Many local leaders came to the December 12 Sunnyvale School Board meeting to honor longstanding Board member Nancy Newkirk for her 29 years of service.
In addition to current District Board members and staff, the Santa Clara County School Boards Association, the Fremont Union High School District, Congressman Ro Khanna, State Senator Aisha Wahab, State Assemblymember Evan Low, and Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee also awarded Newkirk certificates of appreciation, commendations, and resolutions in her honor.
“I want to thank you for your friendship and mentorship, you were very professional, you were able to center me sometimes, and you were also a good adversary at times,” said Jeff Arnett, former board member. “Sunnyvale couldn’t have asked for a better representative.”
Doug Kunz met Newkirk years ago when he was organizing a bike rodeo at Cumberland. He was struck by how passionate she was about making sure the kids would be safe and healthy. “Thank you for rolling up your sleeves and getting involved, not just at the Board level but also down at the grassroots level too,” he said.
Longtime SSD teacher Kathy Ramirez, who first met Newkirk when she was volunteering at Vargas, echoed the sentiment, saying: “Thank you for all these years on the Board but also for working really, really hard in the schools.”
“Nancy has always been such a huge supporter of our early childhood program and she had such a lovely way of partnering with me, sharing resources with me,” said Linda Van Mouwerik, Director of Special Education. “You made me have the confidence to do the job and helped it grow into the program it is today, which is amazing—and it is because of your leadership.”
“I’ve learned so much from you, and you’ve left an indelible mark on the District and on this Board,” said Superintendent Mike Gallagher. “I appreciate all the personal support you’ve given me,” he added, noting that he still has Newkirk’s phone number and may continue to call her for input and advice.
Newkirk has been a dedicated board member since 1995. During her service, she attended more than 600 board meetings, helped oversee five bond measures, helped oversee the establishment of both the Juntos and Fairwood Programs of Choice, and supported renovations, modernizations, and improvements at all 10 schools. Her son and daughter are proud alumni of the Sunnyvale School District.
Newkirk has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Florida and was trained in early childhood education. She holds a credential in Family Development. She previously served as a Master Teacher at the Ohlone College Lab Preschool Program and as Head Teacher with HeadsUp! Child Development Center in Palo Alto. She volunteered as a First 5 Family Ambassador in Sunnyvale, a youth bowling coach at Homestead Lanes, and as a Music for Minors Docent.
She has been a member of the Sunnyvale Collaborative for Healthier Youth, Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Inclusion Collaborative, Local Planning Council of Santa Clara County, School Health Advisory Committee-Conditions of Children Obesity Task Force, Santa Clara County Equity Network, and the California School Boards Association’s Delegate Assembly.
