School Board Member Hanson Hosts Office Hours
Hanson hopes to hear directly from people all across Clay County
The Clay County School Board meets once a month. Over the years, the board has developed a reputation for resisting public input. In 2022, Hanson was elected to the school board as part of a movement that started in 2020. Voters were fed up with a school board they perceived to be hostile to public input and beholden to special interests. Across the ‘20 and ‘22 election cycles, three political outsiders replaced long-time board members by large margins.
Hanson had the most extensive background in Clay County schools among the three newcomers. With a Master’s degree in Education, she taught in Clay County for 18 years and earned the title ‘Teacher of the Year’ three times during her tenure.
Michele Hanson officially holds the board seat representing the Keystone Heights portion of Clay County. But as school board elections are open to all voters in the county, Hanson has a mission that is rare among politicians: to hear from people in the county directly.
To accomplish her goal, Hanson will hold open meetings dubbed ‘Office Hours.’ The meetings will occur at libraries across Clay County throughout January and February. Hanson had this to say about the meetings:
“Office hours give the community and educational stakeholders a chance to share their ideas and know they are valued because I am listening to them. Office hours are not only a great opportunity to encourage feedback and discuss what is important to constituents, but also a valuable tool to make sure I understand the priorities of the tax payers.
In addition, getting different perspectives and viewpoints from constituents helps broaden the box we tend to work in and perhaps open our eyes to alternative solutions that could improve our schools.”
Anyone wishing to speak with Hanson during a meeting is encouraged to fill out this form and select a time slot. Doing so will ensure everyone who wants to be heard has an opportunity. The meeting request form can be found here.
Board Member Hanson’s next office hours are Wednesday, January 17th, at the Orange Park Library.
