By Kelly Evenson
kelly.evenson@examiner.net
Dave Wright is excited to represent public education beyond the doors of the Blue Springs School District.
“It is a great honor and a great opportunity to be able to work with all school districts across Missouri to make sure they have the best resources in the classroom,” said the president of the Blue Springs Board of Education and now president-elect of the Missouri School Boards Association. “Public schools and public education shape the future of our communities, our state and our nation. Being able to take a role to further advocate for the needs of children and the critical role of local school boards and school districts in the education process is exciting to me.”
The MSBA supports public education and the success of its local school boards throughout Missouri with leadership, training and advocacy. In addition, it assists with local school districts in keeping more money in the local classroom.
Wright was voted president-elect of MSBA during the annual Leadership Summit in Columbia, Mo., last month.
He previously served as vice president for MSBA as well as served on the MSBA Board of Directors and was the Leadership Chair for Region 4 of the association. In addition, he has served as interim president elect for the last several months to fill the unexpired term of another state officer.
“MSBA represents nearly 900,000 students in Missouri, so being able to serve school boards and help them to make the best possible decisions for kids is my top priority,” he said. “School districts across Missouri face many challenges, both internally and externally. Leadership at the state level is critical for local success.”
As president-elect, Wright will be like a “president in training” before beginning his term as president in 2010. During the next year, he will provide leadership to the statewide organization, including representing the association and lobbying for education and children’s issues at the state and federal level, which is something, Wright said, he is eager to start.
“I will have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., and Jefferson City to advocate for legislation for children and schools, which is exciting,” he said. “This is something I believe in and am looking forward to.”
While serving as president-elect, Wright will remain as president of the Blue Springs Board of Education. He said he believes by being an elected officer in the state organization, it will not only reflect well on the Blue Springs School District, but also on suburban school districts.
“This will show that as suburban school districts, we can work together with rural and middle sized school districts and attack the problems that face us with a united voice,” he said. “Many differences exist between schools in Missouri, often based on the size and demographics of your local school, but the role of MSBA is to bridge those differences and bring about positive change for every Missouri school district. We have to look for common goals that can make a real difference in the lives of children and collaborate our efforts to be successful.”
