Jessica Powers Wants To Bring ‘Parent Voice’ To Ohio County BOE
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WHEELING - Jessica Powers is a stay-at-home parent, and she thinks she is just what is needed on the Ohio County Board of Education.
She became involved with school issues during the COVID crisis in 2020, when students were learning from home.
"I have been screaming for the past two years that we need more parent representation on the board," she said. "After attending board meetings, I became curious about the inner workings - how they spend money, and things like that."
Powers, 46, noticed there were two attorneys and three retired educators on the board at the time.
"Of course, I know they are all parents. But having children in school is important when you're sitting on the board," Powers said. "We have to have attorneys because they know the law. We have to have retired educators because they know what our teachers are dealing with.
"But whenever we have parents there, too, we can do great things."
Two seats on the board of education are on the ballot in the May 14 primary election. Powers and Anne Hercules are candidates residing in the 1st Magisterial District, while a third candidate, Bernie Albertini, lives in the 2nd Magisterial District. Two candidates from among the three will be elected, with the top two vote-getters regardless of district earning the spots.
Powers added she doesn't necessarily have priorities for the board if elected.
"There are just more things I want to know more about," Powers said. "I know school-based health care is a big topic. I know (changing) start times is a big topic right now.
"I would like to see more numbers as to why those things are important, and why those changes (are being proposed.)"
She describes herself as "a stay-at-home mom who is fully involved in her children's lives."
"I love volunteering with the schools," she said. "I love being there to develop relationships with my children's teachers, and I've developed relationships with their principals.
"I love being involved, knowing what my kids are doing and what's going on."
Powers noted she is "not dissatisfied" with the education her children have received in Ohio County Schools. She is particularly high on the Career and Technical Education programs.
Her son Sam, 19, is a graduate of the welding program at Wheeling Park High School, and further honed his skills at a welding school in Florida.
Her daughter, Audrey, 17, is a junior in the physical therapist/sports trainer program at WPHS.
"The school district prepared my son well, and my daughter is on her way," Powers said. "The trades are very important, and taking classes while in high school A great way to test the waters without making a commitment."