Two years ago, Telisa Clay Young emerged from a field of five candidates to secure a position on the Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees.
Now, after serving out the unexpired term of Currie Fisher, who resigned for personal reasons in the middle of her four-year term, Young may find the path to a full term of the board less crowded.
To date, Young is the only applicant for the seat on the board, although there is plenty of time for others to apply.
David Armstrong, the city’s chief operating officer, said applications will be accepted until the afternoon of March 3. The council will make the appointment later that evening during its regular council meeting.
Young, a federal social insurance specialist with the Social Security Administration, said she had no hesitation in seeking a return to the board for a full term.
“It’s been a great learning experience for me these two years,” she said. “I do believe I am making a difference on the board. When I got on the board, a lot of things were going on. We all had to grab hold and do what we could achieve through working together.”
Young came on the board between two superintendents after a tumultuous few years that saw the district rocked with scandals, including two superintendents in a row whom the board fired before their contracts were up. Young said one of the first lessons she learned was the power of collaboration.
“Every board member brings their own unique talents, but what really makes a difference is the ability to collaborate,” she said. “So many wonderful things have happened in less than two years, things that have made a major difference for our students, staff and faculty. We’re moving in a really positive direction and I want to do my part in keeping that momentum going.”
Young also credited the work of Superintendent Cherie Labat, who arrived not long after Young’s appointment to the board.
“Dr. Labat has done a great job in keeping our students as her first priority,” Young said. “From the start, she’s focused on student achievement. She’s exemplified how important it is for children to thrive, not only in the classroom, but in our community as they grow. What is being instilled here will go with them after they leave school and become adults.”
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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