According to getonboardohio.org, “School boards adopt policy and oversee the district’s policy manual. The board’s most important role is to employ the superintendent and treasurer and work closely with them to establish and set policy, vision and long-range goals and be accountable for the fiscal health and opportunities provided to the district’s students and families.”
The board of education is the governance team for the school district. They don’t manage the day-to-day workings of the school, but they do make sure those tasks are being handled by the most qualified people possible. Board members are often people who care deeply about the community and want to make sure the schools are working best for its students and their families.
This year, there are two board members up for re-election in Harrison County: Tracy Mattern and Edward “Eddie” Banks.
Tracy Mattern
Why did you decide to run for a position on the board?
I would like to continue serving our students of Harrison County by helping to ensure they have the best learning opportunities and support during their formative school years. As an employee of a local university, I see the quality of students entering college these days. I want our children to have the same skills and abilities to be successful after high school.
What is your vision for Harrison Hills School District?
To become a school district that stands out for not only educating our students but also caring for their emotional and mental health. I want them to have the confidence and the knowledge that they need to be successful, whether they enter college, a technical school, the military or the workforce after graduation.
What will be your top three priorities if elected?
1. Supporting our staff and teachers in helping our students recover from the COVID years.
2. Helping to improve the emotional and mental health of all students and staff.
3. Continuing to support the safety of our students, staff, and facilities.
How can the school board be more transparent with the community going forward?
Develop better ways of communicating and explaining the academic process and achievements of our students and staff.
Help our community to recognize how successful many of our alumni have been and continue to be.
Also explain the different procedures and guidelines put in place to keep our schools safe and secure.
What are the biggest challenges Harrison faces?
The effects of the COVID years. It not only hurt us academically with the loss of instruction time, but it also mentally affected our students. The routine and security that school provided was taken away abruptly, causing many students’ concerns. This will take time to recover from.
How will you overcome these challenges?
By continuing to provide support and resources to our staff to help care for our students and regain the knowledge that was missed.
Is there anything else you’d like the community to know about you?
I want everyone to know that I am honored to have served in this position for the last six years. It has not only given me the opportunity to learn so much about the educational process of our children, but also has opened my eyes to the many talented professionals that we have employed in our district. Many employees go above and beyond to aid our youth in ways beyond the job description. Seeing the love and care shown to our students makes me so proud to be a part of the Husky team.
I also have had two children graduate as a Husky and one currently in eighth grade. I have a personal investment in making sure our children are taken care of.
Edward “Eddie” Banks
Why did you decide to run for a position on the board?
Early in my first term on the board, I recognized the commitment of our entire district team and the passion they displayed for the success of our students. The vision of the district aligns with my personally established goals and values providing me with further opportunity to serve our community. During my first term, Harrison Hills, like most of the world, faced many unprecedented challenges and we worked in sometimes unconventional ways to maintain our mission focus. Moving forward, I am excited to work with the district team in maintaining a high standard of excellence. There is always room for further development, and I am excited to work alongside my fellow board members, administrators, students, teachers, staff and community to maximize the potential of Harrison Hills.
What is your vision for Harrison Hills School District?
My vision is to work alongside our district team in providing our students with opportunities and support to place them on track for success now and as members of society.
What will be your top three priorities if elected?
1. Continued focus on a safe and diverse learning environment that provides our staff and students with access to up to date curriculum and innovative technology.
2. Building on partnerships with employers and parents to prepare our students to meet the needs of the current workforce.
3. Our district has established ourselves with some of the most impressive facilities in the state. Moving forward, it is necessary to allocate the appropriate resources and efforts to maintain these state-of-the-art facilities in the most fiscally accountable manner.
How can the school board be more transparent with the community going forward?
Transparency in both the preparedness of the district and opening access to our operations and facilities is a focus of our district team. I would remind the voters of the availability of teacher conferencing to include evening hours, as well as administrative and board-member access at school events, activities, meetings, and community events. Community members are encouraged to learn more about the structure of standard board meetings, which include monthly school security and staff reports.
What are the biggest challenges Harrison faces? How will you overcome these challenges?
Many of Ohio’s school districts identify student proficiency as one of the biggest challenges faced today. Like many school districts across the country, one of the biggest challenges our district faces are the disruption of in-school instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to recognize some achievement gaps within reading and math. In response, the district has dedicated resources to provide instructional assistance to continue to close the gap for our students. These resources include additional teachers responsible for intervening with struggling readers and additional teachers to address and enhance individual math growth with our students. I am encouraged by our district team, which is designed and poised to continue our upward trend of student growth!
Is there anything else you’d like the community to know about you?
I am a lifelong resident of Harrison County and a member of the 1991 graduating class of Cadiz High School. My family is invested in this community and committed to its success. My wife Kristi and I have children that have graduated from Harrison Central, and children currently enrolled in the district. My 30 years of public service began when I was commissioned to serve as an officer for the Cadiz Police Department in 1992. I am a member of the Flushing Masonic Lodge #298. I was raised in the First Church of Christ in Cadiz where I now serve as an elder. I am very active in the church and take every opportunity to fill the pulpit not only at my church but around the area. My family spends a great deal of time supporting all of the activities and sporting events of our children in and around the area.
