We want to share our positive impressions from a recent meet and greet with Mark Mansell, running for OBSD director position #1, and his lovely wife Debbie.

Exuding an infectious optimism, humble confidence, and a can-do spirit as he engaged a captivated room of concerned citizens, Mark Mansell’s 30-plus year background as an educator, coach, principal, and superintendent came shining through. He spoke to his passions for developing successful lifelong learners, empowering teachers, engaging parents, creating innovative community-based solutions, and collaborative goal setting and achievement.

Fielding the many questions from attendees in expert fashion, Mark articulated an encouraging vision for the future. It was clear he respects and thrives on input from all residents of the district, regardless of whether one has a direct connection with the schools or not. From school-age to retirement-age, third-generation locals to new transplants, we each have a vested interest in ensuring the best educational experience possible for our community’s youth. My family’s connections to the Peninsula happen to go back to my great-grandfather. My wonderful parents ushered all five children through the Ocean Beach Schools, myself a proud IHS graduate, class of ’86. We kids benefited from the positive impact of parental, teacher, community, and administrative support.

You may sense however, as we do, that the current state of our local schools, which sadly rank in the bottom 50% of Washington schools academically (publicschoolsreview.com), is going to take a lot of work adjusting sails to better serve the students, teachers, and families of today. Work like this will require strong, transparent leadership at the top, guided by clear principles, along with active community engagement. We believe Mark Mansell’s presence on the board, with his proven track record of turning declining school systems into successful institutions will provide the needed catalyst toward turning this ship around.

Come out to the next meet and greet with Mark or connect with him via email MarkYourBallot4Mark@gmail.com. See if you are as impressed as we are by his qualifications and top-notch character. Mark Mansell has our enthusiastic support.

ANNIE and ALLEN SNYDER

Ocean Park