Bixby Board Set for Another Year
By KELSY LORIN TAYLOR
Web Editor and Feature Writer
HELPING OTHERS: Members of the Bixby Board of Education enjoy reaching out to students and families in the district. From left, Brian Wiesman, Lisa Kramer, Helen Bolton, Wendell Nolan and Mike Anthony. The Bixby Spartan mascot keeps a close eye on board activities.
KELSY LORIN TAYLOR for GTR Newspapers
Members of the Bixby Board of Education bring the district together by ensuring communication, analyzing decisions and providing responsible leadership. This year brings the promise of continued support to the school district through the dedication of the board members.
Board members are elected by registered voters of their respective districts for five-year terms and receive no pay for performing their duties. School Board elections are held on the second Tuesday in February, with one Board position open for election each year. Only those registered voters living within the geographical boundaries of the Board district in which a term is expiring or in which a vacancy exists are eligible to vote for that Board position.
Helen Bolton is currently serving her 26th year with Bixby Public Schools. She has two children who have both graduated. “I have always had a vested interest in our school and community and was pleased to be asked to become a member of the board of education and be able to give back to our great community.”
Some of the largest rewards of her involvement with the board, Bolton explains, are seeing the school and community grow in a responsible manner. “This community has never voted a bond issue down and we are looking forward to great things happening with the $62 million bond election that will be presented for a vote April 13. With this, there will be no tax increase to our citizens.”
Mike Anthony has been serving on the Bixby Board of Education since 2003. “I wanted to become more involved in the school district as I saw the growth of our community continue to build. I knew that it would be important to have more people involved to help plan for the future needs of the district.”
Anthony feels that one of the greatest rewards while being involved with the board is seeing the accomplishments of the student body. “It is always fun to be a part of their successes both in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities.”
Bryan Wiesman was elected to the Bixby Board of Education in March 2006 and is beginning his fifth year as a member. “I enjoyed being involved with my children’s activities along with other parents. One of my best parent volunteers, Mark Edmoundson, asked me to serve in this capacity.”
Wiesman has enjoyed becoming involved in a variety of organizations and believes that it is a good way to enrich the community. Wiesman will begin to help build his tenth home with Habitat for Humanity this spring. He is also involved with the St. Jude’s Hospital Dream Home Project. In addition, Wiesman enjoys helping out with the Football Booster Club and the Gradfest Committee.
Wendell Nolan began to serve on the Bixby Board of Education in August 2009. “I am currently serving out the term of the late Paul Newsom. I saw this as an opportunity to get involved and give back to a district that gave so much to me as a student who graduated from the district in 1986.”
Nolan finds that being involved with the board has brought the opportunity to work with great individuals. “Being a part of a district that is growing and being a part of a team that has to manage some of the challenges that will be coming our way is very rewarding.”
Kramer was sworn in as a member of the Bixby Board of Education March 3. “I have considered running for the board in the past and decided to actually run for the current position after a discussion with Stacey Shipman, our outgoing member and lots of serious consideration.”
“There are so many rewards to serving on the Bixby Board of Education,” she explains. “I am looking forward to seeing the progress that the district makes in terms of academics and also in terms of our facility improvements. Funds from the upcoming bond issue will provide our students with more of the quality facilities that they need and deserve. However, I believe that the biggest reward will be to see the students in our district continue to excel and succeed in life.”
Updated 04-01-2010
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