BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
Only one school board race made it to the ballot this year in Bradford County. Incumbent Erica Reddish and Lynn Melvin are running in District 5.
Melvin’s experience includes a long career working in Bradford schools. She taught in Starke and Brooker elementary schools for more than 23 years, and then acted as principal for both schools for the following 12 years.
“With 35 and a half years of dedicated service to Bradford County schools, now is the right time for me to continue serving the students, teachers, parents and citizens in this role,” she said.
Melvin said she intends to share this experience if elected to the school board.
“Utilizing the skills I have acquired throughout my career, I can provide an educator standpoint on the effects and outcomes of policies and procedures, programs and other decisions made by the board,” she said.
“Students first,” has been and remains her motto, so she said she would work for safe and supportive learning environments. Both students and teachers deserve the best curriculum, and her understanding of curriculum would help student achievement and teacher success, she said.
Melvin said she also has experience creating and following school budgets as well as transparency and accountability.
“As we face trying times in our education system, it’s imperative to have leaders with the knowledge and experience necessary to implement solutions and develop programs that promote excellence in learning. As your District 5 school board member, I will be that leader,” she said, adding she would act as a bridge between the community, teachers, staff and legislators.
“Together, we can make a difference bringing unity and strength to our school district, making it one in which all stakeholders have a vested interest and can be increasingly proud.”
Reddish said she had been blessed many times during her two terms on the school board. She feels honored to have been appointed by the citizens to serve.
“I tirelessly work for the school system for our students, for our teachers for our community as a whole to make the best decisions I could,” she said. She said a good school board member is both available and aware. She became aware of the district’s needs as a mother of three kids in three different schools. Instead of waiting for retirement, she said she decided the right time was the present.
“I knew that I would make decisions that would affect not only my own kids, but their peers as well. So I knew nothing about the school board. I knew nothing about politics or the process. But I knew that I couldn’t wait,” she said.
Reddish said she used her parental experience in schools and at school events to gather feedback and listen to concerns.
“They understand that I’m in that same walk of life with them and I can relate to what they’re going through.”
Progress is linked to change, and change can be tough, she said.
“I’m a firm believer that if the right decisions are made for the right reason, and the goal is a stronger and successful school district, then the growing pains of change will be worth it,” Reddish said. Those pains can bring the community together to squash fears in favor of a more exciting future, she added.
Reddish said her decisions as a board member are made with prayer, research and feedback, and with the lives of children in mind.
“So I vow to you if reelected as school board member for District 5, “I’ll continue to always do what’s best for our students, our staff, no matter how tough that decision is. I’ll put what’s in the best use of our entire school district and community as a whole over the interest of politics,” she said.
Both candidates were asked how they would specifically improve Bradford’s educational system. Melvin said by spending financial resources in the “right places,” and by recruiting and retaining qualified teachers.
“I think we’ve got to not only support those beginning teachers, but I think it’s very important to support those veteran teachers,” she said. “It’s kind of sad when I hear that someone coming into our county with 18 years of experience is only making $4,000 more than a beginning teacher. That’s just really unacceptable to me.”
She also mentioned “good curriculum” that would increase student proficiency.
Reddish brought up the nationwide teacher shortage, but said she was encouraged to see so many familiar faces at teacher orientations — former students who have returned to teach in Bradford County.
“You have people who have been affected by educators in our community who have now accepted that challenge to come back and fill those shoes. So I think that’s a very positive step in the right direction for education in our own community.”
The forum was sponsored by the Republican Party of Bradford County, held at the Bradford Fairgrounds, hosted by Richard Solze and broadcast on WEAG 106.3.
