A conversation with 2025 OSBA President Tom Patterson

Meet Tom Patterson, OSBA's 70th president and a veteran school board member from Sandusky City Schools. Hear about his journey from first-time board member to association leader and his thoughts on public education's evolving needs. Also, learn about his vision to connect policymakers with schools.

This episode is sponsored by Pappas & Associates, shaping policy with integrity. Learn more: https://www.pappaskc.com.

For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:02

From the Ohio School Boards Association, I'm Scott Kerfin. This is Leading the Way, brought to you by our great sponsor, Papists and Associates. They're shaping policy with integrity. Tom Patterson is a school board member at Sandusky City Schools. He is OSBA's 70th president. He's the association's 2025 president, and he is with me today because I want to introduce him to you. So, Tom, thanks for coming on the podcast.

SPEAKER_00 0:31

Thank you, Scott. I'm honored to be here.

SPEAKER_01 0:34

If you had to describe your journey from a first-year school board member to now president of the Ohio School Boards Association, it's a couple decades, I think, journey, right? Uh, how would you describe it?

SPEAKER_00 0:47

Um education is changing continuously. And one of the things that I believe is that the folks who are running for school boards, they need to be flexible and change with the times. Uh we're in just in that length of time, uh how we educate our children is different than what we are uh right now. I remember when I first came on, it seemed like we want to have the children when they're graduating, or the students when they graduate, to go to college. Well, now we're thinking that there's other means that they should be going to, like into the careers, the career tech programs, and it's being pushed. And uh I'm out of that career tech program. I'm a I'm a graduate from high school where I took those some of those classes and stuff like that. And my uh degree in education is in industrial education and engineering technology. And uh I I understand and we need those people.

SPEAKER_01 1:48

When did you first become interested in running for school board? Uh what drew you to that role?

SPEAKER_00 1:54

That's really something hard to say. I've always been involved with different activities at the school. There was nothing there that um came out and said, Oh, I'm gonna go go in there and try to change something. I'm not that way. Um you you get in there and you work with people and then you make changes uh collectively with individuals. Um but there was nothing there that really stepped out. It was something that I felt that um I wanted to do. I was always interested in doing things for the community. I was in a lot of many community activities, whether it was on the the YMCA boards or Red Cross boards. Um I was always involved with uh the community and doing community things for whatever.

SPEAKER_01 2:43

And and your story is not unique amongst uh the many other board members across the state as well. Um tell me about your district. Uh what's the community like? You know, how are your buildings organized? Uh how many students does your board serve?

SPEAKER_00 2:57

Yeah, we got about 3,200 students, give or take. Yeah. Um we went through a major building program uh about three or four years ago. We built three brand new buildings with the Ohio School Board of Uh Facilities Commission. Right. And um, the way that is set up right now, we have a preschool K building. We have a uh first and second grade building, which are brand new buildings, and then we have an intermediate building, which is three through sixth grade. Our middle school is at the high school now. Okay, and um they're right alongside each other. The intermediate school and the high school are separated by Memorial Drive. And um so we eliminated quite a few buildings. We had at one time seven different uh grade schools.

SPEAKER_01 3:57

Oh wow.

SPEAKER_00 3:58

And uh community, I mean, uh yeah, community grade schools uh or neighborhood schools they were. And it was not unusual to be jumping from building to building, right? And that teacher would be at one school next at that year, and they'll be at another one next year. So um uh we got got them more centrally located. We uh all the teachers should be on the same page, uh, like all the third graders should be on the same page what they're doing. So it's it's easier for us, but still we run into our concerns.

SPEAKER_01 4:32

Yeah. You've been on the board obviously a long time. When you've talked to students, families, teachers, uh what are their priorities for students after graduation? I think you touched on this a little bit when you opened up. Uh are there any particular opportunities or initiatives or creating opportunities? I mean, uh, what is the community really excited about?

SPEAKER_00 4:52

One of the unique things about the Senussi City Schools is that we have a comprehensive school district. We also have the other end of it where we do our career tech programs. So we can have children graduating from our school district that can go out into the world and maintain a good, comfortable living uh in industry, whether it's welding or carpentry or whatever. Um, and it's really very positive with our community. Unfortunately, our community is changing. At one time we had several manufacturing businesses and they've either closed or relocated in the southern part of the country. And so uh we have that to contend with. And at one time we would have uh a robust community where we had, you know, roughly 2,000 students just in the four grades at high school. Now we don't have that. And uh it's all due to the economics in the area. We're a diverse school district, uh, we welcome it, we work with everyone there, and we try to give everyone the best education, whoever. Whatever that student is, we want to try to give them as best education and so they can go as far as they can. Now, yes, some of them are going to college and but some of them are going directly into the workforce and being very, very productive.

SPEAKER_01 6:27

Right. Being an urban district, uh, I know uh there are unique challenges for urban districts. Uh well what what are some of the challenges your district is facing and and how has your board uh handled those challenges?

SPEAKER_00 6:42

That's that's a tough question because we're continuing to modify our programs with those changes. Um we have a good career tech program going on right now, and we see after graduation where are they coming back and going into our programs, whether it's nursing. And one of the unique things was that we started a barber school. We have a cosmetology school, but we started a barber school. And here are these individuals, men and women, um they're looking for a career that um they're they're they're making a change there in in their life. Right. And we're making an impact on them. Right. A definite impact. And having them go to their graduation, I have never seen anyone so elated and happy when they were coming there because they have a new life. Right. And um, but that's like many things that we're doing. Um but the economy that that hurt us. We had two big automotive plants in town, and um now we just have one of the parts plants, and uh it it's there's there's quite a few people working there, but still not the numbers that we used to have.

SPEAKER_01 8:15

Well, you talked about some of the challenges, but then I want to ask about uh what what are you most proud of in your district and what you guys have been able to do?

SPEAKER_00 8:24

One of the most things I'm proud of is when we can hand them that diploma and shake their hands and tell them well done. That is what I'm proud of. Right. And see their parents take pictures of them and what they see in their eye, because some of our students, that's going to be the biggest day that they've ever had.

SPEAKER_01 8:50

Right.

SPEAKER_00 8:52

And knowing that, you want to make it special, and we try to do that as best we can. Um but as far as personally building the new school buildings, they're wonderful. Um I hate to say this, but it makes you want to go back to school and be a student there, you know, going to the house.

SPEAKER_01 9:16

I have not been in your district, but yes. They're gorgeous.

SPEAKER_00 9:20

They're they're gorgeous. And um it it just it's just amazing, you know, and uh they're all air conditioned, but then when they get into the senior high school, uh some of those rooms aren't air conditioned and they gotta go backwards. So that's the next thing on our list is to try to educate the not to try to uh air conditioned, the high school. And that that's a major thing because you know they're all boilers and you gotta run ductwork and it's expensive.

SPEAKER_01 9:52

So as we as you uh take on your year as president, every every uh OSBA president serves a year. It's actually kind of a three-year leadership term because you were president-elect for a year last year. This year is your your presidency, and then you'll serve as the past president. Um what are your what's your hope for public education as a whole? Obviously, we got a new budget cycle coming up. Yeah. Statehouse, and uh, you know, we're hearing some talk of the sustainability of funding. Right.

SPEAKER_00 10:19

Um my main concern is that, and you'll probably be hearing a lot about this from me, is that we need to get our state legislators into our buildings, invite them in, and show them all the great things that are going on with uh public education. And one of the unique things that I do at our Capitol Conference is I go to the student achievement. Yeah. And seeing the things that they're doing, I spoke today that um one of the individuals that I saw at the Capitol Conference at the Student Achievement, that if he was a car salmon, I probably would have bought a car from him. Because uh, you know, they're into it. Yes. They're into it. And that's going on in all of the buildings across the state of Ohio. And I think that our state legislators need to see that.

SPEAKER_01 11:17

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 11:17

Um and I know, I understand that education is just one facet of their job. They have other things that they're doing, whether it's health benefits or whatever. There's many things that that state legislator has to do, and I understand that. But when you're making decisions, I feel as though that they they need to come in and see what's going on. And so when those decisions are being made, they understand what's going on at Sonuski City Schools or Olin Tanji or Lima Schools or whatever. They understand what's there because they've seen it.

SPEAKER_01 12:01

Yeah. You have uh you've been very involved with OSBA over the years. You you've served as uh president of the Northwest region. Correct. Um been on a lot of committees. I wanted to ask you, just you know, and to talk to some of our listeners who are obviously board members, uh, what how important is it to get involved in OSBA? You've done it, obviously.

SPEAKER_00 12:24

One of it one of the unique things that is there is the networking.

SPEAKER_01 12:30

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 12:31

More than anything else, it's the networking that goes on when you're sitting there having a cup of coffee or having dinner or having lunch with somebody, and you don't have to go and reinvent the wheel, because possibly they have done that in their own district, and they've gone through it, and they can help you. And you are helping them in some ways, too. Uh, but the networking I see is more than anything. Um I went to an OSBA meeting, uh, Marty Roth, who's a region manager for the North. Region Manager.

unknown 13:09

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 13:11

She's a graduate of some Dusky High School. Okay. She graduated three years after I did. Um, and I I knew her, but I didn't know her because I was a senior and she was a freshman. You didn't hang out with those people, you know. And but going into the meeting, she says, Tom, you need to get involved in this. Okay. If Marty says that to me, I'm gonna really think about it. You know, I'm gonna really think about it. Yeah. And no truer words were said because it's been fulfilling for me because it's helped me to be a more effective board member. Yeah. More effective. Um, and I want to continue that effectiveness in this role that I'm playing right now, and to encourage others, board members to come to those meetings. Uh, like I said, the networking is going on phenomenally, and I have made so many friends and acquaintances, and I can't say how many people that I met. And the the other unique thing is that everyone has the same feelings, the same drive, and it's about kids.

SPEAKER_01 14:36

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 14:38

And if you love kids, yeah, that's where you belong. And you can you can accomplish in much.

SPEAKER_01 14:45

Yeah, and I and I think uh I think what you've been saying, I know the uh this year's past president Sally Green, who was president last year, talked about, you know, she I remember the her story, she told me, you know, I just thought OSBA did this big conference every year, this that we do in Columbus, but it it's much more than that.

SPEAKER_00 15:02

Oh, absolutely. And I think that working out of the Northwest District, um, because those are the school districts that are close to you, some of them may be in your same conference.

SPEAKER_01 15:17

Right.

SPEAKER_00 15:18

And you'll see them at an athletic event or um maybe at a choir or a band uh competition, and you'll say, Oh, I know that guy over there. I'll go over and say hello to him. Hey, how are you doing? You know, and you sit down and you talk for five or ten minutes about things. And hey, it's great. It's it's great. The networking that goes on is phenomenal, and I think that that is one of the things that uh folks need to do. And the training. When you come in, you can't have an agenda. Yeah. Especially when you're a new board member, you can't have an agenda. You and the OSBA will give you the training to be able to navigate your first years through being a school board member if you want to be that effective school board person.

SPEAKER_01 16:13

Yeah. And and I will if I can drop a little plug in here. We do have our we have some training coming up for uh first first term board members on on at the end of the month here in January that you can register for. We've got Beyond the Basics, which is mastering your board leadership coming up at different locations in February. So all that information is on the website uh for members to see and please register because as you say, it's it makes you effective as a board member.

SPEAKER_00 16:41

And if if you just want to be a person on the board that you are just saying that, well, I'm a board member of your board of education, but if you want it to mean something, yeah, and you have that desire and you're passionate, you have to be involved with OSBA to to get yourself trained. Yeah. And uh it's a learning experience. I'm learning right now. I learned stuff today in our meeting that we had. You know, I I'm continually learning. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 17:14

The lifelong learning. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 17:15

Yes. Absolutely, absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 17:18

Well, Tom, thanks so much for being here, for making the trip down from Sandustin. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 17:22

Um final thoughts? Well, I'm not taking this position lightly. It's truly an honor and a privilege to serve and to work with everyone here at OSBA. And I hope that I can continue the can this the success of OSBA. Um, but my focus is going to be, and I'm gonna say it again, to tell the districts you need to get your legislators into your buildings, and not to um tell them what's wrong with themselves, but show them what you're doing. Right. Show them the good things that you are doing with the kids. And that is far more important.

SPEAKER_01 18:11

I can tell you, and I and I've been to some of these districts, and just how much education has changed since I was in high school. Absolutely. When I graduated in 1989, I mean you look at the how we're preparing students for the workforce. It is amazing what public schools are doing.

SPEAKER_00 18:27

Well, I graduated quite a few years before you did. And I'm not afraid to say it. Uh I graduated in 1967, and the focus was on going to college. Right. My parents had a family business, and it was like, you're gonna work in the family business.

SPEAKER_01 18:47

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 18:47

And I I did, I did. I became a journeyman, tool and die pattern maker. And but when things started going south as far as industry and things like that, I found that I thought I'd like to teach.

SPEAKER_01 19:05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 19:06

And I went back to school and got my degrees and did my student teaching. That was about it.

SPEAKER_01 19:15

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 19:16

Because I graduated in December and there wasn't any job openings, and Tom and Cindy had three children, so I went to work for another family organization, and I spent 41 years there. And it was a good move because the folks who I worked for were very community-oriented. And when I I was involved in other things, of course, but when I said I would like to run for the Board of Education, they all sat back in their chairs and said, fantastic. You know, and they gave me the the latitude to be able to do that and also do my position and things like that. And I can't thank them enough.

SPEAKER_01 20:00

Well, Tom, again, thank you for being here. And and uh listeners can read much more about your journey coming up in the uh OSBA February Journal magazine. We have a full feature story in there uh with you and some photos from your great district. So again, thanks so much for coming on. Oh, absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 20:17

Thank you for taking the time with me.

SPEAKER_01 20:18

Appreciate it. And we want to thank our sponsor, Pappas and Associates. They're shaping policy with integrity.