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EDUCATION Medford School Board, Position 5: Kim Wallan vs. Michael Campbell Comment By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 27, 2015 at 5:07 PM Updated Apr 28, 2015 at 12:36 PM By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 27, 2015 at 5:07 PM Updated Apr 28, 2015 at 12:36 PM » Social News Incumbent school board member Kim Wallan said she is enthusiastic about the direction of the Medford School District under its new superintendent and wants to be on board as his vision plays out. Her opponent for Position 5, Michael Campbell, 28, co-owner of Sis-Q Cellular, wants to team up with local businesses to help students gain real-world experience, while improving communication and restoring transparency to the district. Of the four Medford School Board members whose four-year terms end June 30, only Wallan decided to run for re-election. “New leadership, that was really my goal when I ran the last time, and I accomplished that, so now I’d like four more years to see the pathways program developed and to bring our schools into the 21st century,” Wallan said Friday. Wallan, a former lawyer, a 4-H club leader, and mother of three South Medford High School graduates, surprised some board members at a June 2013 board meeting when she moved to terminate the contract of former superintendent Phil Long without cause in 90 days. Long retired about a year later, handing off the baton to Superintendent Brian Shumate. “I am very excited and proud of the new leadership we brought on and the reorganization of the district’s administration,” she said. “I’m also excited to see how the pathways (program) plays out, bringing more hands-on classes to kids so they can see relevance in their daily schoolwork,” she added. The pathways program is intended to increase graduation rates by giving students several career and academic options to choose from as they move through high school. Wallan earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and, in 1986, a law degree from Willamette University. She practiced law for about four years for a Medford law firm before quitting her job to stay home with her children. One of the more outspoken board members, Wallan said other board members were wary of her or “actively disliked” her when she first joined the board, but she believes her openness and professionalism have proven an asset and have won them over. Wallan estimated that she spends an average of 20 hours a week reading, analyzing data, researching policy, prepping for board meetings and fulfilling her responsibilities as a member of the athletic, policy and school-based health center committees. Over the next few years, the board will be evaluating full-day kindergarten, charter schools, an extended-day program being added this year at three Title I schools and the pathways program. It also will begin negotiating a new contract with the Medford Education Association next year, and Wallan hopes to be part of the mix. Campbell said he is aware of the big decisions that lie ahead and the level of commitment required by board members. He has been connected with local schools through his wife, who teaches at Phoenix High School, and his mother and stepfather, who teach at North Medford High School. Campbell said he began paying even closer attention to what was happening in the Medford School District last year during the contentious labor negotiations, which culminated in an 11-day teachers' strike. “One of the biggest things I want to bring to the school board is improving communication and bringing back collaboration and transparency to our district,” he said. Campbell said he would like to see school board meetings streamed online or aired on public access TV, he is in favor of casual meet-and-greets where community members could interact with board members about district issues and he wants to commission local businesses to partner with the district in preparing students for “the real world.” “I hope to establish a network of business owners who want to bridge the classroom and the community and give kids hands-on experience with filling out a resume, showing up on time and knowing how to interview for a job,” he said. “It can’t hurt for kids to have another mentor in their lives.” Over the last few months, Campbell has been diligent about attending school board meetings and has visited two schools and made plans to visit a third. And nearly 40 community members, many of them Medford teachers, have endorsed Campbell on his campaign website, mcampbell.org . If elected, Campbell said, he would like to visit one school a week and, when there’s a major decision on the agenda, talk with the teachers and staff members who are interacting with students on a daily basis. Campbell holds an associate of arts degree from Rogue Community College and also attended Southern Oregon University for a year. He has worked for Sis-Q Cellular since 2005 and, on the side, works as a website editor and North Medford High School sports event announcer for Table Rock Sports Network. “With my background as a business owner and the direction the district is headed, I feel I have a lot to bring to the table and can really help to restore relationships in the district and bridge the gap between the administration and the front line, the teachers,” he said. Reach education reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt . Correction: This version of the story has been corrected to show that Michael Campbell has worked for, not co-owned, Sis-Q Cellular since 2005. By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 27, 2015 at 5:07 PM Updated Apr 28, 2015 at 12:36 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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