Randy Rankin picked for Portales school board position

PORTALES — Randy Rankin may have been the only applicant to fill Mary Lou Rowley's position on the Portales Municipal Schools Board of Education, but board members say he is well qualified.

Rankin, executive director of the New Mexico Baptist Children's Home, was sworn in at a special meeting Friday afternoon, where he took part in a short interview with the board.

Having worked with Rankin on the Portales Rotary Club, school board President Antonio Sanchez said he already knows Rankin will be a good fit for the district.

"He's very professional, very well mannered, has a great love for the Lord, which is a good thing, too. He's all about kids, and that's wonderful. That's what this is all about. It's about the kids," he said.

Rankin has served on the board once already — from 1992 to 1995 — said Sanchez.

"The fact that he's had past experience on the board is gonna make it a lot easier for him to be brought up to speed," he said. "I think it's gonna be a good thing."

Rankin said he hopes to support endeavors the district is already pursuing, as well as any it may pursue in the future.

"I would just hope to continue to support things that are already in progress. Just coming on board, I'm not familiar with everything that's lined up this year, but I will learn that and be supportive of it," he said.

Rankin said he felt a need to continue serving the community and the district, and thus saw the position of board member as a logical fit.

"They (PMS) provide education for every child that's ever come through the Baptist Children's Home. We've been around for 98 years, so we've connected with the public schools forever. They give our kids a quality education, help prepare them for their future," he said.