Pocola School Board Questionnaire

Answered by Josh Merritt

1.      Why are you running for the Board of Education? If elected, what will be your priorities? 

I want to bring new ideas to our school and community.  I want to help bring change and education to our youth while giving our teachers and administration the valuable tools and assets they need.

 

2.     Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board of education?  What attributes and behaviors are essential for school board members? 

I am very motivated to bring change to our school and community.  I want to see our educators and youth have the essential tools they need along with place they are proud to call their school.  What attributes and behaviors are essential for school board members?  School board members need to be very open minded and transparent, along with serving all children and staff members. The board needs to be responsible, ready to participate, and serve the community.

 

3.     What do you see as the primary work of the board of education?

I want to work with community to improve our achievement within our education.  Our children and faculty should be provided the essential tools to provide the best education the state offers.

 

4.     What is your vision for education in this community?

Education is very important and we should be preparing our youth for the real world. Education can be overlooked at times, and as a community we should want nothing but the best for our youth.  The youth of Pocola is the future of Pocola.

 

5.     What do you see as the major issue(s) facing your school district? Public education?

Pocola schools and facilities are very outdated, and I think it's a major challenge to update them.  We need to provide a safe and fun place for our children to learn along with the essential tools for them to be successful. I think our community and educators need to put a plan together with obtainable goals that will give our children the best place to learn.  Public education is a challenge within itself as well.  It has been a challenge these past couple of years with covid and distant learning.  I think it’s very important that we try our best to keep our children in school. School is a very important place where children need to be. 

 

6.     How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden?

 It’s important that school board members be open minded and always see both sides.  We should always want what’s best for our school, but with the understanding it’s at the tax payers expense.  Bonds are beneficial for our community.  When we can educate our youth and give them the essentials they need it benefits our community.  With new facilities brings new business and students to our community.