BY RILEY WILSON
Eudora schools are Lynn Reazin’s passion and a driving factor in why she will run for a second term on the Eudora School Board.
“I think it’s really important for any community member to be part of advancing and improving whatever they’re passionate about,” Reazin said.
Reazin is one of four candidates running for four open spots on the board. Member terms last four years and are uncompensated.
This Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.
Occupation: Vice president/manager Enterprise Project Management Office at UMB Bank
Ties to the school district:
We moved here in Eudora because of the schools. That’s why we moved to Eudora. Now I have four children. I currently have a senior, a junior, an eighth-grader and a second-grader. I’ve been involved on the Eudora Schools Foundation, involved with our cooperative board, I’ve been on the PTO. I’ve done all of those things because of my four children and my desire from an education perspective to improve that.
What is your prior relationship with the Eudora School Board?
This will be my second term, so I’ve been on for four years.
Why are you seeking (re-)election on the Eudora School Board?
I think it’s really important for any community member to be part of advancing and improving whatever they’re passionate about. In my case, it’s the schools because I can actually see that with having four children in the school district. I can see the differences that schools are making and so whatever I can do to help with that. I think the School Board has demonstrated over the last four years a lot of exciting improvements, guidance and policies that will help all of the schools.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
Well, I’ve served four years so I’m learning the ropes and I’ve learned a lot of the ropes. I have a passion for education. I have a real-life connection through my children. I see all the different schools, what is going on with those. They’re all very, very involved so it’s not just the schools but it’s the whole student, both from athletics, fine arts, all of those things. Extracurricular activities.
So, I can relate, I’m an active community member. I’m at lots of different events. I hope that I can be very approachable for any concerns or questions. I don’t have a single agenda. I’m not running to get one thing done. I’m not running to get one agenda item advanced. I’m in it for the long term, have been for the last four years and will do it for another four.
What do you think the Eudora School District is doing particularly well right now?
I think that we’re creating an environment where teachers can succeed. We have some of the most amazing teachers and if we’re able to give them the resources, the environment, the support, the community support, so both administrative support and community support, advancing their education, that I think is really the most that we could possibly be doing right now.
What have you achieved so far?
Before I joined the School Board, I barely knew anything about a co-op. And a co-op provides the special education services for not only Eudora, but Baldwin and Wellsville. I did not have any personal experience with that and so I’m really excited with what that group has done for our special ed program.
We’ve brought in a fabulous director, really shoring up the offerings for our special ed students, and I think that’s really exciting what we can offer there.
And then, of course, I’ve been part of ... bringing the preschool, offering different programs. We hear about improving from an electives perspective throughout and really trying to follow that passion that all of our students – meeting them where they want to go.
In other words, it’s not all college for everyone. It’s identifying careers, technical, whatever that may be. So, for some, it's college. For some, it’s going to be a technical career. For others, it’s getting into the workforce right away. I think that’s exciting and that’s what we’ve been working toward is bringing that education that each student needs individually.
Reach reporter Riley Wilson at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
Support our journalism by "subscribing" through a donation at https://www.launchku.org/project/16454/wall.
Comments