Aug. 11—St. Vrain Valley school board President Joie Siegrist resigned her position at Wednesday's meeting, but will continue to serve on the board through the end of her term in 2023.

Siegrist, who is term limited and has about a little more than a year left, said stepping down is a way to provide a smooth leadership transition.

"It is an intentional strategy," she said.

Vice president Karen Ragland was nominated by Siegrist and elected as the new president by secret ballot. She was the only one nominated for the position.

"Karen is a dedicated member of the board who is focused on the district's mission," Siegrist said.

Ragland, who was elected to the school board in 2017, thanked the board for trusting her with the position of president, adding that she values the other members "equally and tremendously."

"I hope to keep the work going, the great work that everyone is doing," she said.

Siegrist, who has served on the school board since 2012, will now serve as the board's vice president.

In other business, the board heard an update on implementing a new state law, House Bill 1358, that requires districts to test elementary school drinking water for lead. The law also applies to child care centers.

Brian Lamer, St. Vrain's assistant superintendent of operations, said the law sets a lower limit for lead amounts — 5 parts per billion down from 15 parts per billion. The bill includes money to reimburse districts for the cost of testing and any needed fixes.

He said the district began sampling all active elementary water fountains in June and is now testing fountains that were turned off during the pandemic. None of the drinking fountains have exceeded the 5 parts per billion limit, he said.