Lance M. Child
Occupation:
Mortgage Banker, Wells Fargo
Educational background:
BBS in Accounting, Gonzaga University, 1991
CPA, State of Washington, 1994
How long have you lived in Big Sky?
Since August, 1999
Do you have children who will or do attend Ophir or LPHS?
Two children (currently 8th grade and 3rd grade) who have attended Ophir for all their
school years
Previous volunteer activities
• Big Sky Resort Area District Board, member since 2003
• Ophir District #73 Board of Trustees, member since 2008
• Ophir assistant basketball coach since 2008
• Ophir basketball referee
• Coached various Big Sky youth basketball/football/baseball/wrestling teams
Volunteer activities related to education:
• Ophir District #73 Board of Trustees, member since 2008
• Ophir assistant basketball coach since 2008
Why do you want to run for School Board Trustee?
Current member of the Board, looking to continue the work I’ve started.
What can you bring to the board?
Continuance, experience, knowledge of prior board and administration strategies and
decisions.
How many board meetings have you attended during this school year?
All of them:)
Kristen Ramirez
Occupation:
Owner of Ramirez Management Services, Inc. a property management
company.
Educational background:
Attended Ophir School, Bozeman Sr. High, Montana State
University, and Rocky Mountain College.
How long have you lived in Big Sky?
37 years
Do you have children who will or do attend Ophir or LPHS?
Two children (one in 6th grade & one in 3rd grade)
Previous volunteer activities:
Chamber of Commerce, numerous owners association boards
Volunteer activities related to education:
Booster Club, Pre School
Why do you want to run for School Board Trustee?
I feel it is an opportunity to contribute to the education of all children at a school that is
innovative and forward thinking.
What can you bring to the board?
I have a solid knowledge of facilities management, project management and people
management.
How many board meetings have you attended during this school year?
One.
John-Aaron (Aaron) Ruddick
Occupation:
GM, Program Director / Head Coach, YC Alpine, LLC, Youth Camps
(Not affiliated with Yellowstone Mountain Club, LLC)
Equipment Operator, Spanish Peaks Management, Inc.
Educational background:
Lake Oswego Senior High, Lake Oswego, Oregon
Rocky Mountain College, Billings, MT
How long have you lived in Big Sky?
~3 ½ years (worked in Big Sky ~7 years)
Do you have children who will or do attend Ophir or LPHS?
Yes, one son, currently in 8th Grade.
Previous volunteer activities
Ophir / LPHS Booster Club Member
Ophir / LPHS Youth Free Conditioning
Assistant to Ophir / LPHS HE classes
Ophir / LPHS substitute teacher
LPHS Principal / AD Search committee member
Big Sky Friends of the Library Member
Montana Meth Project
Carbon County (MT) Search & Rescue Member
Carbon County Boys & Girls Club Member, Volunteer
Red Lodge (MT) Youth Council Advisor / Member
Red Lodge Ice Member
Red Lodge Youth Soccer Coach, Board Advisor
Roberts (MT) School math / reading tutor
Team Independence (Idaho) Fundraising Consultant
Meadows Race Team (Oregon) Board Advisor
Pro Bono Environmental (chemical waste reduction & remediation) consultation
Why do you want to run for School Board Trustee?
In part, because I like to be involved in the community and because I want to create the best
opportunities possible for our kids.
The interests of the children within our district need to be promoted and defended with the
same rigor as the interests of our adult shareholders (taxpayers, community members,
administration, faculty, and staff). This does not translate into throwing money.
And I want to hang out with the cool kids.
What can you bring to the board?
Thoughtfulness, energy, and an innovative way of approaching issues to seek the best
resolution at the lowest cost (financial and human).
How many board meetings have you attended during this school year?
This year: all regular meetings but two, budget workshops, long-term planning meetings
Last year: all regular Board meetings (8+), all public Ophir / LPHS Superintendant
interviews, all public LPHS Principal interviews, public Ophir / LPHS Superintendent
search committee meetings, all LPHS Principal search committee meetings, several Ophir
/ LPHS Booster Club / Committee meetings.
Anything you would like to add:
I believe that it is the obligation of any School Board to provide its faculty and
administration with what is necessary to successfully educate the students within its
community. This concept of successful education should also value and incorporate the
interests, desires, and voices of the students the District serves and the students it hopes to
attract.
Our school (especially LPHS) is innovative: our newness, size, support base, and caliber of
educators (faculty and administration) allow us to create what very few people or
communities have had the opportunity to pursue. Innovative public schools, from Bedford-
Stuyvesant in NYC to KIPPS in LA, have demonstrated that we CAN give every kid a great
education, even without significant financial resources.
Vibrant schools support vibrant communities. Let’s make Big Sky (even more) amazing!
