Sandusky board members talk goals for new term

SANDUSKY — They're all winners. On Tuesday, Sandusky Schools board members Martha Murray and Tom Patterson and newcomer Ebony Sizemore, were guests on "Between the Lines," the Register's public affairs program hosted by managing editor Matt Westerhold. All three will begin new four-year terms Jan. 1 after an uncontested race. Sizemore, a longtime city resident and mother of two, is replacing longtime board member Jeff Krabill, who opted not to run. Krabill was initially elected to the board in 1999 and served on the board ever since, except during a two-and-a-half-year absence, according to the district.Patterson and Murray are longtime school board members, serving 14 and eight years, respectively.Sizemore and SanduskySizemore said she's ready to get to work and wants to learn how to be a board member."They've all done such an amazing job thus far," she said.During her tenure, Sizemore said she wants to see more parent involvement. She works full-time, is taking classes and has been involved with Sandusky Schools' parent congress, Blue Streak athletic boosters and Hancock Elementary's parent-teacher organization."As a parent, I understand the struggles," she said. "But I want to get parents to understand how their involvement and them taking the initiative can also help their children. Hopefully, us coming together can help engage them."Community involvement runs in Sizemore's family. Her grandfather, Leroy Sizemore, was a city commissioner and a school board member. Her grandmother worked at the courthouse and volunteered at the polls during elections."It's in my DNA so to speak," Ebony said. "(This school board position) is upping the ante a little bit for me. I'm really looking forward it."Patterson agreed with Sizemore about the need for parent involvement."Parent involvement is truly a monumental task in our community. We also have to take a look at academics — we have to get that under control. We are doing much better, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us."Murray advised Sizemore to be as involved with Sandusky Schools as possible."Learning (to be a board member) is a long process," Murray said. "When I got on the board, a past board member said it takes four years to figure it out. It's very true — you're always learning. There's a lot we can do for our children and our families."Changes coming next yearIn the new term, Sizemore, Murray and Patterson and district officials will see the completion of two new buildings — the intermediate school for grades 3-6 and Ontario Primary for first and second-grade students. Construction for both buildings is expected to finish by August 2020. Hancock Academy for preschool and kindergarten students should be finished by 2022.In November 2016, Sandusky Schools stakeholders approved a bond issue for the $72 million "Building Better Dreams" facilities project to construct three new buildings."All of our elementary students will be in either one or two buildings," Patterson said. "When you have those children together in one building, like with grades 3-6, you'll be able to track them and deliver a better education to them if they need help in a certain (academic) area."Murray agreed."We hope to deliver education in a more efficient way and be able to group kids where they need to be grouped (if they need extra help with their studies)," she said. "It will help the teachers and the educational flow, I think, go a lot better."Murray also explained the new health clinic to be built at Sandusky High School will be available for students in grades 3-12. It's expected to open by February."That will be a big advantage for families," she said.With the new schools scheduled to open next year, the buildings used by Sandusky Schools will change.What will happen:• Preschool and kindergarten students will attend Mills Elementary until 2022 while Hancock Academy is under construction.• Venice Heights Elementary will become the adult education building. Administrators like its proximity to Ohio 2 and U.S. 6 and want to expand adult programming. • The Regional Center for Advanced Academic Studies will move to the former Adams Jr. High on Columbus Avenue. Officials want to expand Sandusky Schools' fine arts offerings at the building, too. • Sandusky Digital Academy will move to where the RCAAS was housed on Jackson Street.• Sandusky Middle and High schools will use rooms vacated by adult education programs.• Osborne Elementary will close.Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhoodClockwise from left: Sandusky Schools incoming board member Ebony Sizemore and incumbents Martha Murray and Tom Patterson talk about their hopes for their new four-year terms beginning Jan. 1 on the Register's "Between the Lines" program Tuesday.