Union Board Set for Another Year
By KELSY LORIN TAYLOR
Web Editor and Feature Writer
HELPING OTHERS: Members of the Union Board of Education enjoy reaching out to the students and families in the district. From left, Jeff Bennett, Heather McAdams, Ross Ford, Superintendent Dr. Cathy Burden, Ed Payton and President Scott McDaniel.
Courtesy Union Publec SChools
Members of the Union Board of Education bring the district together by ensuring communication, analyzing decisions and providing responsible leadership. This year brings the promise of continued support to the school district through the dedication of the board members. With February’s reelection of Ed Payton, the board is again set for another year.
Board members are elected by registered voters of their respective districts for five-year terms and receive no pay for performing their duties. School Board elections are held on the second Tuesday in February, with one board position open for election each year. Only those registered voters living within the geographical boundaries of the board district in which a term is expiring or in which a vacancy exists are eligible to vote for that board position.
Jeff Bennett represents Zone 1 of the Union Board of Education. He was elected to the board during a special election, which was held Nov. 7, 2006. His term will expire in 2011. Bennett has been a Grove resident for over 15 years and has a son who is currently attending Union Intermediate High School. He enjoys serving on the board and also working for Continental Airlines. Bennett owns four Curves for Women fitness centers in the area.
Zone 2 is represented by Ross Ford, a 22-year veteran of the Tulsa Police Department. He is currently serving in the Special Operations Division. Ford was elected to the board in 2007 and his term will expire in 2012. He has lived in the Union district for 15 years and has become very involved in the community. Ford has been a member of the Parent Teacher Association, Union Youth Football Association, Union Baseball, Union Girl’s Softball as well as Union’s Long-Range Planning Committee. Ford has two children, one of which is currently enrolled and one who has already graduated.
Heather McAdams is representing Zone 3 of the Union Board of Education. She was elected to the board in 2008 and her term will expire in 2013. McAdams has two sons who are attending Roy Clark Elementary School where she currently serves as the president of the Parent Teacher Association. She has enjoyed living in the Union district since 1999.
Representing Zone 4 is Scott McDaniel, an attorney with McDaniel, Longwell, Acord & Kroll, PLLC. He has served on the board since his election in 1999 and his term will expire in 2014. “I was led to run for the seat through the encouragement of friends and neighbors fueled by the interest community service and my children’s experiences at school.” McDaniel has two children who have both graduated from Union High School.
Along with his involvement in the board of education, McDaniel is a member of the Board of Trustees of John 3:16 Mission. “With my work at the school board, these two great organizations strike at the very heart of our community’s most critical need-nurturing kids and strengthening families. We are blessed with all kinds of talent and it’s critical that we put them to use to make our hometown a little brighter, safer, and healthier while improving the prospects for our children.”
Zone 5 is represented by Ed Payton, the chief operations officer/ general counsel for Celebrity Attractions. He was elected to the board in 2005 and reelected this February. His new term will expire in 2015. Payton has enjoyed volunteering in public education for over 25 years. “I believe that a strong public education system is the foundation of our democracy and economy. The strength of our democracy is dependent on an involved and educated citizenry. In addition to the Union Board of Education, I serve as the facilitator of the Tulsa Regional School Board Consortium and as chairperson of the Tulsa Area Community Schools Initiative.”
Payton is looking forward to another term with the Union Board of Education and describes a few of the rewards. “I enjoy working in a collegial atmosphere with peers who value public education. I also have the opportunity of assisting in the decision making process as we seek to improve the educational opportunities and outcomes for Union Students.”
Updated 03-24-2010
Back to Top
READER COMMENTS
Back to Top
Contact GTR News
