Two candidates are seeking the District 5 Bartholomew Consolidated School Board seat in the fall election.
District 5 incumbent Patrick M. Bryant is seeking re-election, challenged by Jennifer Corsi. Bryant previously served as a Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputy and now serves as the Bartholomew County Public Library resource officer.
The candidates were asked what strengths they brought to the table as a potential (or returning) board member. Bryant replied in addition to his experience serving on the board, he brings the perspective of a person of color.
“How we feel the school corporation is addressing some of our problems that we may be having in the community or in schools,” he said. “… I feel that would be helpful to the school corporation.”
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Bryant is the only Black member of the school board and the only Black person running for a BCSC board seat.
Corsi is a stay-at-home mom who also serves as the president of the Clifty Creek Elementary Parent Teacher Organization and a board member of Learning Tree Preschool.
When asked what strengths she brought to the table as a potential board member, Corsi pointed to her positions on four boards in the community over the past four years.
“I am no stranger to stepping up where there is a need,” she said. “As a parent of small children who are just entering the BCSC school system, I am dedicated to focusing on what happens within BCSC because it directly affects my family every day.”
All BCSC school board candidates were asked four additional questions. Answers appear in the order the candidates will appear on the ballot.
What aspects of the school corporation do you hope to focus and improve upon if elected?
Bryant: “I’m hoping what we can do is get this situation taken care of, as far as teachers and other employees of the school corporation being able to speak to the school board members directly on policy, or on things that are affecting their job, not necessarily a situation of two teachers having a difference of conflicts.”
Corsi: “The relationships between the board and educators in our community. I would also focus on parent involvement by being more engaged and willing to speak to people. For example, responding to emails, messages and even phone calls (all of which I am doing as a candidate).”
What changes do you think need to be made as the school corporation continues to adapt to COVID-19 circumstances?
Bryant: “That’s a situation that is going to have to go along with what is happening in the community itself. Not only in the community, but within the school corporation. … Too many times have we made judgment on the amount of people that are in the hospital, the amount of people that have tested but yet they’re not coming in contact with our kids.”
Corsi: “I would like to see more input from the educators and families in our community. What is working, what isn’t? How can BCSC help teachers which in turn helps our students learn and our families better cope with challenges of what school looks like at the moment.”
Apart from COVID-19 and its impacts, what do you think is the biggest challenge facing schools?
Bryant: “Dealing with people from the outside not knowing exactly what is all going on within the school corporation itself. And not just our school corporation, but any school corporation. We have a lot of situations where they’re getting one side of the story and not the total story. And you have to get the total story in order to actually have an understanding of what’s going on.”
Corsi: “Apart from COVID-19 and its impacts, schools are facing challenges that can’t just be put into neat boxes. Income inequality, the parental substance abuse crisis, keeping students safe in the building, students mental and physical health and well-being. These (and more) are all connected and cannot be thought of as existing in a vacuum, separate from what’s currently happening.”
What is the number one thing driving you to run for this position?
Bryant: “I still feel and think that I have a lot to offer this community. … I have a drive to understand kids a little bit better. As a former sheriff’s deputy, I did the DARE program. I was in the school corporation basically for over 27 years doing that program. And so, I have an idea of what kids are somewhat going through.”
Corsi: “The number one thing that is driving me in running for this position is my children and their futures in BCSC. I have always believed that a strong community comes from individuals who step up and get involved.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Pat Bryant” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Pat Bryant
City of residence: Taylorsville
Age: 67
Previous offices sought: BCSC School Board
Occupation: Bartholomew County Library Resource Officer
Education: Jeffersonville High School, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
Community involvement: Bartholomew County Fair Board, Human Rights Commission, Big Brothers Big Sisters, PAL Board.
Family: Wife, Terry. One child and one grandchild.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Jennifer Corsi” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Jennifer Corsi
City of residence: Columbus
Age: 36
Previous offices sought: None
Occupation: Previously Enterprise Rent-A-Car manager in Greenwood, now stay at home mom.
Education: Two degrees from The Ohio State University, in psychology and sociology.
Community involvement: President of Clifty Creek Elementary PTO 2019-current, board member of Learning Tree Preschool at First United Methodist Church, 2016-current.
Family: Husband, Corey. Two children.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
