Letter to the Editor: Hawes has vision, dedication and commitment to move Hannibal schools forward

As April 8 quickly approaches, the Hannibal School Board will be electing two new members. Our district has faced significant financial challenges over the past two years, but we are now on the path to recovery, and the choices we make in this election are critical to our continued success.

Incumbent candidate Scott Hawes has proven to be an invaluable asset to our School Board, pushing forward with initiatives that have directly benefited the district’s financial health. One of the most notable actions he championed was the hiring of a third-party financial advisor, a recommendation stemming from our 2015 state audit. This has resulted in significant savings for our district, and Hawes continues to be a staunch advocate for sound financial oversight.

Unfortunately, past board members — including the other incumbent, J’Nelle Lee — allowed previous lenders to take advantage of our district’s bond and lease-purchase bond rates, putting us in a precarious financial position. Our district can no longer afford to be complacent when making these crucial financial decisions. Hawes has demonstrated time and again that he will go beyond the superintendent’s provided information to ensure that the best decisions are made.

Hawes also has pushed for more community input on important educational issues. A prime example of this is his advocacy for a district-wide review of Standard Based Grading (SBG). He was instrumental in gathering feedback from parents, teachers and the community despite delays in implementing the survey.

Once the survey was conducted, the results clearly indicated that the majority of parents and educators were not supportive of SBG. Hawes pushed for the removal of SBG at all grade levels, though other board members disagreed, suggesting that individual schools should decide. I agree with Hawes that removing SBG entirely would create a more cohesive and effective learning environment for our students.

A board is a representation of our community, and it is crucial that our School Board reflects the voices and needs of all its members. Currently, we have a board composed of a 4:3 teacher ratio. Of the five candidates running this year, there is a 2:3 teacher ratio. Should both teacher candidates win, our board will have a biased 5:2 ratio of retired teachers. This is a board that, in its composition, does not represent the full range of perspectives our community needs, particularly when backed by the National Education Association. Our parents’ voices will be drowned out by this type of biased board.

Hannibal School District needs leaders who are willing to challenge the status quo and prioritize the best interests of our students and community. Hawes has shown time and again that he has the vision, dedication and commitment to move our district forward.

I strongly support his re-election to the School Board.

Anna Lemon
Hannibal, Missouri