Editor’s note: This commentary is by Neil Odell, of Norwich, who is a member of the Norwich School Board and the Dresden Interstate School Board (serving the towns of Norwich, Vermont, and Hanover, New Hampshire). He is also a member of the Vermont School Boards Association Board of Directors.
[J]ust over eight years ago I made a decision to join the Norwich School Board. To be honest, it was mostly due to my wife’s prodding. We had moved to Norwich from New Jersey and I was working at home in a telecommuting job. I think she was worried that I wouldn’t get out enough and make new friends.
I began school board service with an appointed position, filling a vacancy that was left when a prior board member decided to step down. There was plenty that I didn’t know at the time. I didn’t know that joining the Norwich School Board meant that I was also joining both the Dresden and SAU 70 school boards. I wasn’t familiar with the Vermont Open Meeting Law. I didn’t know how school budgets were determined and set. I didn’t know how a board set policy. I didn’t have experience negotiating a labor agreement with a union. I didn’t know how the Vermont education property tax rate was calculated (it took me eight years to really understand it). But above all, I didn’t know that over the next eight years I would end up working with and befriending so many wonderful, dedicated and caring school board members.
As elected officials, school board members are volunteers. Yes, many of us get paid, but the amount is rarely enough to cover the cost of child care while attending board meetings. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve known that a board member was missing their kids’ soccer game or concert performance or spouse’s birthday dinner because they were at a board meeting. I’ve attended meetings of the Vermont and New Hampshire school boards associations knowing that most of the attendees took a vacation day from work in order to attend. I’ve participated in weekend training sessions knowing that my colleagues in the room were giving up time with friends and family in order to become better school board members. Through all of these interactions I have had the opportunity to meet and make friends with people from all across Vermont, New Hampshire and the country who serve on school boards. They are an amazing group of people.
Earlier this month the Vermont General Assembly established January to be School Board Recognition Month. It was an acknowledgement of the tireless contributions of Vermont’s school boards and school board members. I’d also like to extend my thanks to all the school board members in Vermont and New Hampshire for all that they do for our public schools, our children and our communities. Your service is important and greatly appreciated.
