Meet the Candidates for Tully Central School District Board of Education
The Board of Education election will be held on Tuesday, May 16 from 6 AM to 9 PM at Tully Elementary. There are 2 open seats.
Jessica McAnaney is the candidate running for the Tully Board of Education in 2023.
Due to only one candidate running in 2023, the Tully Free Library did not hold our annual “Meet the Candidates Night,” with moderated questions and answers and video posted on YouTube.
Instead, Jessica gave written answers to the following questions:
1. Why do you want to be on the school board?
I moved back to Tully in 2020 after a few years away but it’s nice to be back ‘home’. I decided to raise both of my children in the place where I have fond memories of growing up and where the community connected and revolved around the school. I want to be on the board in order to ensure the continued educational excellence of the district as well as promote community connection. Education is highly valued in our household and I believe a strong school will help children in their pursuit of growth and happiness.
2. How has your previous experience prepared you for this position on the school board?
As a dedicated professional with over a decade of experience in people functions, I have consistently thrived in high-growth, rapidly changing environments. My ability to prioritize tasks effectively and ensure timely execution has been crucial in adapting to these dynamic situations. With a strong educational background, including a master's and bachelor's degree, I recognize the value of education and strive to foster creativity and inclusivity in our school.
My interpersonal abilities and emotional intelligence, honed through working across industries such as HR and theater, have proven invaluable and can help me build consensus among board members and stakeholders to successfully execute our goals. I have collaborated with executive level leaders on various projects, skillfully gathering input and feedback when necessary. My diverse experience has led me to believe that academics and soft skills are the key to success in life and I am committed to leveraging my unique insights and passion for learning to make a meaningful impact in our district.
3. What is your vision for the district? What do you plan to do to make the school a better place in the upcoming year?
I would like to see a heavy investment in academic achievement with a particular emphasis on critical and creative thinking. We could focus on finding grants and funding programs that will help us build students’ reading and math comprehension as well as their creative outlets. I do believe that a solid educational foundation includes academics and extracurriculars so it’s important to have a multi-faceted approach in order to nurture a student’s positive and impactful experience. Personally, I am a huge fan of the arts and benefited from their influence in my own life and would love to see those programs continue and thrive in Tully.
Additionally, I want to make sure our educators feel supported and are able to grow in their own profession. Their voice matters and I trust them to provide expertise to the board and help guide positive change in the district. They need tools and support like our students do and by bolstering the teachers, we ultimately improve the educational experience for our children.
4. What do you feel are the most serious issues facing our school system?
The world is rapidly changing, supported by the momentum of technology, and the students must be prepared to face new challenges that those before them have not. The use of technology has become ubiquitous with everyday life and it can be a beneficial instrument, but also has the ability to hurt, confuse, and isolate folks. Our students need the proper tools to make smart decisions about their online usage and presence.
5. What is your ideal relationship between the roles of the superintendent and the school board?
Ideally, the relationship between the superintendent and the board is complimentary. I see the board as working with the school staff to ensure the continued health and success of our children’s education. Since the superintendent is embedded in the day-to-day activities of the school, she is a valuable voice to ensure the board understands how larger policies impact folks in real time. Her partnership is fundamental to executing a successful vision for the district.
6. Please tell us about some of your recent activities that involve children or young people.
I spent time in the New York school system while I performed children's theater with the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Auburn. This allowed me to explore other school districts, teach and connect with students, as well as help to cultivate their creativity. Additionally, I spent a year as a nanny for a French family, where I not only taught the children English but also imparted essential life-skills such as reading and cooking. Currently, as a parent to two young children, I am fully committed to ensuring they receive an excellent education, further demonstrating my dedication to supporting the well-being and development of the younger generation.
More information on Jessica can be found on the school district website.