We’d like to introduce you to our school board members:

Sherry Duerst-Higgins, Vice Chair -- Sherry has served on the board since 1988 and also serves on the board for the Lane Education Service District (Lane ESD) and for the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA).  In addition, Sherry is a past president of the OSAA and is currently serving on the OSAA Executive Board.   She is a real estate broker for Remax Advantage Plus. A long time resident of Cottage Grove, all three of Sherry's children graduated from Cottage Grove High School, as has one granddaughter.  Another granddaughter is currently attending Lincoln Middle School.  Sherry represents Position 4, Blue Mountain/Mt. View.

Tammy Hodgkinson -- Tammy was elected to the school board in May 2011 representing Position 1, Latham/London.  Tammy describes herself as a former kindergarten teacher (13 years) and is involved with the Bohemia Elementary Parent Club.

Alan Baas, Board Chair -- Alan was elected in May 2013 to represent Position 5.  He has lived in Cottage Grove since 1994 and is semi-retired.  In addition to serving on the SLSD School Board, he has served on the board of South Lane Mental Health Services since 2001 and as the school board’s representative to the Lane County Council of Governments (LCOG) since 2013.  He currently is on the LCOG executive committee and involved in building a stronger Cottage Grove community by membership on the town’s Be Your Best, Team Cottager Grove, and Vision Keepers committees.  Before he retired Alan spent a decade working as scholarship services manager and donor relations officer for the state’s Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC), formerly the State Scholarship Commission. He has two sons, Adam a lawyer in San Francisco and Jude, a screen writer and property development consultant in Portland.

Merlene Martin -- Merlene Martin retired after working in the South Lane School District for 22 years as an education assistant.  She was the State of Oregon's OSEA President for nearly a decade.  Representing Position 3, Delight Valley, Merlene was elected to the school board in May 2011.

Gary Mort -- Elected May 2015

Jerry Settelmeyer -- Hi. I'm Jerry Settelmeyer, second "one" of a family of 10 children. Mostly as a result of two fantastic, sacrificing parents I have spent my entire life caring about and for people. From this large family, sharing what we had, learning to work and sweat on a farm, being a student of Public Education and LIFE. I am a proud adult, husband, father, educator, volunteer firefighter, community member, and now retired Papa/Volunteer I am committed, in any positive way I can, to help make life "the best it can be" for all my fellow beings (especially children). My blessings allow me to dedicate much energy and time to help make learning and school a very positive and successful time. I believe there is much more we can do for our young population and I'm here to help make those things happen. This is my commitment to our children and our patrons who have "put" me here.

About 5'9" tall and getting shorter- about 180 pounds and always up or down a few, 66 years old and getting older by the day (Thank you Lord), member - CGHS Class of '66, married 46 years (so far) to the best woman in the world, father to 3 fabulous daughters who, like their mother and I, are teachers. Army Veteran, 12 years volunteer firefighter, and I’m currently a member of the South Lane County Fire and Rescue Board of Directors, living Christian, have lived in Cottage Grove area for 52 years and counting up, and I really like Grandkids, and KIDS  in general, and favorite animal- a pig. Oh Yes- GO BEAVS!

Elected May 2015

Taylor Wilhour -- In addition to owning a small business, Taylor coaches the chess teams at Cottage Grove High and Lincoln Middle Schools.  He has two daughters attending South Lane schools and is very active in the Parent Club and Site Council at Latham Elementary School.  Taylor was elected to the School Board in May 2013, representing Position 2.