'Fresh eyes': Attorney Anthony Perko chosen for Pueblo D60 Board of Education
Anthony Perko, owner of Perko Law LLC., is the newest member of the Pueblo School District 60 Board of Education.
From a pool of five applicants, Perko was chosen through nominations by board directors Kathy DeNiro, Tommy Farrell and Margaret Wright during a board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 27. Barb Clementi was the lone director to nominate retired judge and former Pueblo D60 director Dennis Maes. Wright initially nominated Maes during the first call for nominations, but later changed her nomination to become the tie-breaking vote.
"I respect judge (Maes) highly," Wright said. "I have a lot of respect for him, but I like the idea of bringing fresh eyes with other experiences as well."
As an attorney, Perko has served as general counsel for entities like Pueblo County School District 70, the Pueblo City-County Library District and three towns in Crowley County. In his application, he said some of his priorities for the district would be improving state accountability scores, addressing truancy and student retention.
"Steps should be taken to preserve and defend the district's share of (per-pupil revenue) while balancing parental interest in school choice," he said. "The goal of ensuring that the district is the first choice in which to enroll their students would assist in this goal."
Perko said funds from the American Rescue Plan Act "should be wisely targeted, focused on the district's most pressing concerns with an emphasis on attracting and maintaining qualified faculty and staff."
DeNiro cited Perko's knowledge in board policy, school funding procedures, charter schools and truancy matters as reasons for his nomination.
"He has concern for declining enrollment which results in loss of per-pupil revenues, which we have projected to have," DeNiro said.
DeNiro said the majority of individuals she spoke with about Perko supported him as caring and someone who "will not overshadow, but complement the existing school board."
Perko will serve on the board at least until the November 2023 election. He fills a vacancy on the board left by the resignation of former director Matthew Cranswick, who accepted a job out of state this summer. Applicants who competed to fill the vacancy but did not receive nominations from directors at the Sept. 27 meeting included Joseph Andenucio Jr., Daniel Comden and Tiffany Grainger.
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"I do want to recognize that we had a great bunch of applicants, and we would be lucky for any of them to be working with us," Farrell said. "I do believe that Mr. Perko is knowledgeable, can provide fresh eyes to some of our challenges and some of our situations. It's clear that he has a passion for public education, experience, and that's why I nominated him."
Perko will be sworn in at a special board meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday inside the Pueblo D60 Administrative Services Center, 315 W. 11th Street.
Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached by email at JBartolo@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Local attorney chosen to fill vacancy on Pueblo D60 School Board
