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The Sarah Jane Gilliland Distinguished Service Award

2007 Sarah Jane Gilliland Distinguished Service Awardee – John Knapp

John Knapp, CASB’s immediate past president and member of the Rocky Ford R2 Board of Education for six years, is the recipient of the 2007 Sarah Jane Gilliland Distinguished Service Award. This award recognizes a current or former member of a board of education who provided outstanding service at the local, state and national levels. Recipients are selected by the CASB Board of Directors.

As a fourth generation farmer, Knapp has been known to compare school board work to harvesting the best produce. “Farming takes a lot of care, patience and support,” he says. “It takes that same kind of care, support and healthy environment to have a quality school board, effective public schools and an excellent state school board association.”

The gregarious Knapp “walked this talk” throughout his 2006 CASB presidency. A third-generation board member, his deep understanding of Colorado public education helped him represent the interests of all Colorado school districts—those located in suburban, rural and urban communities. By building personal relationships with State Board members, Knapp worked to maintain and solidify the relationship with the State Board of Education past CASB presidents worked to establish. On several occasions, John traveled to Washington, D.C. to communicate to Congress the state of Colorado education.

While his commitment at the state level is high, Knapp’s true commitment lies with his local board of education.

“John has been an exemplary board member and a positive influence on the local board, the BOCES and CASB,” said Rocky Ford R2 Superintendent Nancy Aschermann.

In his first few years on the Rocky Ford board, Knapp negotiated tirelessly with Aurora to gain $1.5 million for damages caused to Rocky Ford’s tax base caused by Aurora’s purchase of Rocky Ford Ditch water. He was also instrumental in forming and currently serves on the Foundation for Rocky Ford Schools, which oversees the investment and use of these funds.

In addition to farming, Knapp is director of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for southeastern Colorado. He lives in Rocky Ford with his wife Laurie. Knapp’s two oldest children are students in Colorado universities and his youngest son is in high school.

The award is named in honor of a CASB employee who provided distinguished service to public education for more than 17 years. Sarah Jane Gilliland, CASB director of policy services from 1977 to 1995, died August 26, 1995.