On Tuesday, February 9, 2021, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) Board of Education President Karin Freeman presented the Orange County School Boards Association's (OCSBA) Marian Bergeson Award to Vice President Carrie Buck.
The Marian Bergeson Award was established in 1974 to recognize school board members who promote and enhance public education through their leadership and community service. The award’s namesake, the late Marian Bergeson, was a well-known political figure, serving with the California State Assembly, the California State Senate, and the Orange County Board of Supervisors. She was also California’s Secretary of Education in the late 1990s.
Trustee Buck was awarded for her ongoing efforts in helping to secure mental health funding for all public schools in Orange County. According to her nominators for the award, Trustee Buck devoted an immeasurable amount of hours to this initiative. Once she learned that Orange County had millions of dollars in Mental Health Service Act Funding, she began diligently researching and pursuing ways public schools may qualify for the funding. Her efforts eventually led to Orange County school district superintendents taking charge of the endeavor, which secured a $6 million mental health grant to support local schools.
As a director of a local homeless shelter, Trustee Buck meets regularly with local and state officials and makes them aware of public school needs to positively impact education. She is also responsible for forming a community collaborative that unites local efforts to cultivate strong and healthy neighborhoods.
In addition, Trustee Buck has served on the OCSBA Board of Directors for the past five years and currently serves as Vice President of Programs. Prior to becoming a school board member in 2010, Trustee Buck was very active in PTA at various schools within PYLUSD.
Congratulations, Trustee Buck!