Our Board

Patrick grew up in Oakland, California, and attended San Francisco State University, where he obtained his BA in English. Patrick went on to become a heavy equipment operator for several years prior to becoming a teacher, and takes great pride in that work. He has told his students on a number of occasions that he began his working life building roads and digging ditches, and that he took a pay cut to become a teacher. Patrick went back to school after taking time to volunteer at a local elementary school and obtained his teaching credential in 1988 from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo. Patrick then earned his Master’s degree in Educational Management from the University of LaVerne in 1998.

Patrick and his family have lived off and on in the Tahoe Truckee area for many years. Patrick was first introduced to the Tahoe-Truckee area in 1959 when his parents bought a cabin in Olympic Valley ahead of the Olympics. In 1989, Patrick moved to Tahoe Truckee permanently and took up his professional residence at Truckee High School, where he met his wife, Meara, who was (and still is) an English teacher there. In June of 2022, Patrick retired from TTUSD to run for the school board. Patrick is also a Professor of Education at the University of Massachusetts’ online teacher education program, the league director of the NIAA / Tahoe Basin High School Ski Racing League, an exam reader of the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition exam for The College Board, and an Alpine Ski Masters’ Coach.

Patrick has three sons, two of whom went through Truckee schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, and one who is still in school. As a family, the Mooneys have become intimately familiar with the Tahoe-Truckee schools. In addition, they have participated in and helped AYSO soccer, Truckee Tribe lacrosse, Buddy Werner Ski Racing, and just about every rec department camp and kid program available!

Patrick is a 34-year retired teaching veteran and athletic coach. Over the years, he has taught just about every English class that Truckee High has offered, coached ski racing for 29 years, and boys’ varsity soccer for five years. Patrick has also worn many hats in TTUSD: he has been a district mentor, union negotiator, and interim vice president, leadership teacher, athletic director, interim assistant principal, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) coordinator, and visiting team member, Advanced Placement test reader, and well…you get the idea. Patrick has seen first-hand how TTUSD, and other districts operate, what works, and what doesn’t.

Although Patrick has not been retired long, he has been busy. Patrick has written and published a number of articles on a variety of topics, including education, parenting, and ski racing. Look for his pieces in the Christian Science Monitor, Edutopia, California English, and Ski Racing Media.

Patrick believes that as a classroom teacher, coach, parent, community member, and writer, he is in a position to bring a unique perspective to the school board. Historically, school board members have been parents, retired community members, business leaders, and other non-educational professionals who bring their own unique skills and perspective to a school board to make it truly representative of most of our community. “But in my 33 years as a teacher in TTUSD,” Patrick says, “I cannot remember a time when we have had a teacher, who has gotten their hands dirty in the classroom day in and day out with 100 or so students each day, serve on the school board providing an essential perspective as a first-hand witness to the effect of school board policy and decision-making.”

As a TTUSD Trustee, my Number one priority has always been and will always be the health, safety, and well-being of our students. Another very pressing issue is staffing and affordable housing. The current board and district administration have taken many positive steps on these issues, and I am hoping to keep up the momentum and perhaps bring a new perspective to them. Additionally, I would like to maintain and continue to support our exemplary academic, artistic, and athletic programs by retaining and hiring staff (both teachers and support) who exceed expectations.

Cris has been a resident of Kings Beach since 1995. She is also TTUSD’s first Latina board member. Cris was born in Argentina and lived there until the age of 10. Once in the United States, she became a U.S. Citizen at the age of 15. Her background is in social services, where she served in the fields of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and basic human needs.

She is a translator and has her own translation firm. Her clients include county agencies, local non-profits, municipalities, and private entities. Cris is passionate about our school district. She has a daughter who graduated from North Tahoe High School and volunteered in her daughter’s schools from kindergarten through graduation. She also served on the board of Excellence in Education, giving her a broader understanding of our community’s support and collaboration with TTUSD.

Cris is committed to upholding the district’s high standards and to governing in a way that provides opportunities for staff and scholars to meet those standards. Her belief is that by supporting teachers and administrative staff, students benefit as well.

Cris believes that every child deserves an excellent education in a safe environment and should be challenged to better themselves, their school, and their community.

Denyelle holds an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of California Santa Barbara, and a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She has dedicated her professional career to building all facets of community in our region through the interconnectedness between people and the natural and built environment. In her current role, Denyelle is the Community Development Director for the Town of Truckee, overseeing a staff of 20. Her public service leadership has been fundamental to policy-making decisions on key community-building topics such as affordable and workforce housing, sustainability, business development, equity, growth management, and more.

In addition to her full-time work, Denyelle and her husband, Rob, own and operate two outdoor recreation businesses, one in Truckee and one in Placer County, supporting 25 employees. They have two kids, one at Alder Creek Middle School and one at Truckee High School, both of which love to share their passion for learning with others.

Denyelle brings over 20 years of local government experience to the school board, including the skillset that comes with being an urban designer and land use planner by training. This includes working from an equity mindset across all ages and socioeconomic status, problem-solving complex issues, balancing competing interests, and navigating change through collaboration.

The school board’s actions provide a unique opportunity to enhance community, and Denyelle is focused on strengthening partnerships and decisions that support students, their families, and the amazing TTUSD staff. Her goals include continued focus on student health and well-being, staff retention and recruitment, as well as highlighting innovation in the classroom and beyond.