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Megan Shrum: Southwest School Board Questionnaire

Age: 37 Current Occupation: Advanced Technical Support Representative at Jack Henry Past Experience: Although I currently do not have any past experience with being a school board member, I do have a lot of experience with helping organizations at Southwest Schools. I have been on the Band Booster Board for 7 years, 5 of those years I was the Treasurer and for the last 2 years I have been the President, and I am currently the President of Project Graduation for the Senior class. I have a lot of experience with volunteering, I've helped with numerous fundraisers, other than with the band and for project graduation, that include the Washburn Fire Department and helping raise money for local families in the community, and I have volunteered my time in helping coach summer baseball/softball teams. With all my experience in helping in the Washburn/Seligman communities, along with being an active member within my church, and with my background in business, I believe I would make an excellent member of the Southwest School Board.  Education: Southwest Graduate, Class of 2004. Graduated with Honors from University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration after receiving my Associates of Office Administration-Office Specialist from Crowder College. 

1. Why do you want to win this position?

I was once told that if we want to make changes in our school district, we have to be the change. I can’t complain about how the school is being ran or if something happens that I don’t particularly like if I’m not willing to help make changes or incorporate new ideas.

2. If elected, what is your No. 1 goal on the school board?

My number one goal, if I’m elected on the school board, is to bring positive changes and to bring new ideas that will benefit the entire school district, from the faculty and staff to the well-being of our students. I will have the time and energy to invest into helping our district be successful. I will strive to keep respectable values in place in our school district, because I do not agree with pushing our children into how society is pushing them with worldly ideas or teaching them a curriculum that should be taught at home. I only want what is best for our students, staff, and community.

3. What areas of the school district do you think need improvement?

With most small towns and communities, I feel like our school favors certain clubs and sports over others. I would like to see funding distributed more evenly across our entire school district for the numerous clubs and sports that our school offers, and not only focus on high school, but elementary and middle school as well.

4. What do you feel is most important for raising the quality of education provided by Southwest schools?

I believe the most important quality for raising the education at Southwest schools is preparing our students for the next level, whether that be the next grade, moving to the next building, or preparing them for adulthood.

5. Taking into account current bond issue construction projects, what other capital projects do you think the school should pursue?

Southwest has had several construction projects completed in the last few years and is still currently working on the new sports complex, so I am unable to say at this time of any other construction projects that I believe the school is in need of. I’m sure there are plenty of updates and renovations that need to be performed.

6. Is the district’s communication with parents satisfactory or does it need work? What makes

it work, or how would you improve it?

What makes it work, or how would you improve it? The school district’s communication with parents has improved greatly over the last couple of years. I believe what makes it work and what has improved the communication between the school and parents is text messaging. The messages are informative and it’s easier to get an update via a text message rather than with an email or with an automated phone call.

7. What classes or programs would you like to see added?

I would love to see more classes and/or programs to help better prepare the students for the real world.

I know of many senior students that are lacking in basic adult skills, such as balancing a checkbook, knowing the importance of paying their bills and how to pay their bills, and the importance of a credit score, just to name a few. I realize that those responsibilities fall on parents, but helping our students be a little bit more prepared I believe would be greatly beneficial.

8. How do you hope to help students succeed after graduation?

Our school incorporated a new resource for the students of Southwest called, RootEd. RootEd aids in students with college and career choices, from helping them complete their FAFSA, signing up for the ACT, how to apply for college, and taking students on different college and technical school tours. This resource, I believe, has been very impactful with the students. I would like to see it build and grow. The focus of college is important, but I also feel that incorporating more trade schools and resources to help young adults be successful in what they decide to do after graduation would increase the positivity of the program. Living in a community that is at or below poverty level, I do worry that a lot of students feel as though they wouldn’t be able to afford to continue their education, whether by learning a trade or attending a local college, and I would like to see this program reach those students, so they know they have options.

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