Gwen Carr, a member of the Crook County School Board for 10 years, announced her resignation Thursday, citing the need to focus on her recovery from a work related head injury at Starbucks, after she was hit by a falling metal fixture.

“My main focus is listening to my doctor and my health,” Carr told The Bulletin Friday. “It’s a hard thing to give up, knowing how much I care about our kids and our schools. I want everything for our schools to build on what we’ve accomplished.”

Carr’s resignation will be effective June 9. She plans to participate in Crook County High School’s graduation ceremony that evening, since one of her children is graduating, Carr wrote in her resignation letter.

Carr wrote that it’s always been her mission to do what’s best for kids.

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished over the past decade, and I step away knowing the school district has a strong foundation for future success and an exceptional staff to help steer the ship,” she wrote in her resignation letter.

In a special session Thursday night, the other four members of the board unanimously voted to an open application process to find Carr’s replacement and finish out her term, which ends June 30, 2025.

Applicants must have lived within Crook County for a year, be a registered voter, and not be an employee of the school district.

Applications are open until June 5 at 5 p.m., and can found at the district website or be picked up in person. The board will appoint a new member at the next meeting, which will be held in the Crook County Middle School gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. June 12.

“I’m sorry for the circumstances, and that the injury was more severe than we thought,” said board member Scott Cooper of Carr’s resignation.

Cooper will be joined by newly-elected board members Cheyenne Edgerly, Jessica Brumble, and Jennifer Knight, along with the person appointed to fill Carr’s seat. H

e will soon be the only member with prior Crook County school board experience.

“You don’t get that opportunity very often,” Cooper said.

He said he’s sympathetic to the new board members, since they will have to get up to speed very quickly and won’t have the support of other experienced members to guide them.

“Gwen is a cherished friend and valued member of the school board,” said board chair Jessica Ritter.

“I’m sad to see her go, but I care more about her health than her service in a volunteer position.”

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