Miller runs for school board

ALAMOSA — Dr. Thom Miller, a pediatrician at San Luis Valley Health, has put his hat into the ring for this fall’s Alamosa School District Board of Education election. Miller introduced himself to the board at their meeting Monday night and will be running for the District 1 seat vacated by Charlie Sanchez, who is not seeking re-election.

“I have literally dedicated my career to children,” Miller said in an interview after the meeting ... I think the school board is a way I can help the community and use my day job skills to improve that.”

Miller has been at SLV Health since 2014 after a seven-year stint in the Navy. Though originally from Montrose, his family goes back five generations in the Valley. It was often the location of reunions and summer vacations.

“My mom was in Center High School’s class of ‘66 and my grandpa graduated from the old, historic high school building in Monte Vista back in the day.”

Miller has one son, 6-year-old Corbin, currently attending Alamosa Elementary School and his other son Linus, 4, will go to the school next year.

“I think it’s important, especially in our community, to have a school district that helps both the very top performers and also helps every student meet a goal,” said Miller, “whether that’s vocational trade school or college prep. I think those things are equally important.”

The district has a total of four open positions. Board President Erica Romero is running for re-election for District 4. Neil Hammer’s District 3 seat is still vacant after his resignation last summer. The District 6 position is open since Arlan Van Ry is term-limited and cannot run for re-election.