By Carol Peterson, Corvallis
As I was reading over the Corvallis School Policy, I asked myself can I do this? A Board member represents the Board and forfeits their individualism. I have always been an outspoken individual. A Board Member represents the public. Can I be a good listener and not be head strong (oops, I am a Norwegian) on my ideas? A Good Board Member makes policy and financial decisions and lets staff run the school. A board member is a volunteer and the staff are paid to do their job. I am used to being the BOSS, just ask my husband. When presented with a problem, can I first state the problem than find out who owns the problem. For an example, “Will there be a High School Graduation?” The High School Senior Class are the ones who own the problem. They are the ones that are affected. They have a structure with a Class President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasure and Advisor. They are connected with Snap Chat, Face Book and internet. They have been educated to solve problems and come up with a safe idea. As a Board Member it will be up to us to decide if it is safe, whether we can support the project financially and if it serves a good purpose. A Good Board Member will acknowledge that they have heard others but also realize that everything does not need an immediate answer. Raising teenagers with emotions, sometimes things are presented in the immediate need to know. I have learned that if one takes ten minutes to digest the information one can make better decisions. A Good Board Member looks at the end results, “Will this hurt or help someone?”
I believe that being a Corvallis School Board Member is not an easy job. I would like your vote of confidence to the one-year term that completes a board members term that she was not able to finish. I think about the school buildings and the Corvallis School every day. I care about my community. If voted in I accept the challenge and will work at being a Good Corvallis School Board Member.