Prussman Touts Experience in Bid for SJSD Board of Education
By: Robert Lowrey
Updated: March 30, 2012
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) Experience is a key element of Lori Prussman's campaign for the St. Joseph School District Board of Education.
"I've actually attended every school board meeting in the last three years except for three. For two of those, I was having a meeting for the PTA council because i was the president," said
For the past 18 years, Prussman has been a volunteer for the district. She has taken part in everything from the office at Hyde Elementary to president of the PTA.
During that time, she says she has seen many problems kids face.
One topic that she says needs focus is bullying.
"I would like to see a task force with the district heading that up. It would be a community task force to really hit that hard and eliminate that because children shouldn't be afraid to go to school," she said.
But it's not just the kids who need the attention. Prussman feels more needs to be done to get everyone involved.
"There have been times that I knew more than the staff knew being a PTA person and that's not right. There has to be open communication. Everybody has to be on the same page for us to function as a team," added Prussman.
Board member or not, Prussman is already dealing with the pressures they may face. As a member of PACT, she has been working on the $42 million bond issue for the last two and half years. It's a process she feels gave her a new appreciation of keeping lines open with the community.
"It shows how important community engagement is in the success of your school district," said Prussman.
Prussman may be wearing a lot of hats when it comes to the school district. But when it comes to kids, she says she is focused.
The other candidates running for one of three open seats on the St. Joseph School Board include: Martin t. Rucker, Dennis Snethen, Hamilton Henderson, Christine Killen Danford and Walter Hanabury.
Kenneth Reeder is making a push as a write-in candidate.
The election is Tuesday, April 3.
"I've actually attended every school board meeting in the last three years except for three. For two of those, I was having a meeting for the PTA council because i was the president," said
For the past 18 years, Prussman has been a volunteer for the district. She has taken part in everything from the office at Hyde Elementary to president of the PTA.
During that time, she says she has seen many problems kids face.
One topic that she says needs focus is bullying.
"I would like to see a task force with the district heading that up. It would be a community task force to really hit that hard and eliminate that because children shouldn't be afraid to go to school," she said.
But it's not just the kids who need the attention. Prussman feels more needs to be done to get everyone involved.
"There have been times that I knew more than the staff knew being a PTA person and that's not right. There has to be open communication. Everybody has to be on the same page for us to function as a team," added Prussman.
Board member or not, Prussman is already dealing with the pressures they may face. As a member of PACT, she has been working on the $42 million bond issue for the last two and half years. It's a process she feels gave her a new appreciation of keeping lines open with the community.
"It shows how important community engagement is in the success of your school district," said Prussman.
Prussman may be wearing a lot of hats when it comes to the school district. But when it comes to kids, she says she is focused.
The other candidates running for one of three open seats on the St. Joseph School Board include: Martin t. Rucker, Dennis Snethen, Hamilton Henderson, Christine Killen Danford and Walter Hanabury.
Kenneth Reeder is making a push as a write-in candidate.
The election is Tuesday, April 3.
