The Adams County Ohio Valley Board of Education held their first meeting of 2018 on Jan. 8, swearing in their two newest members, Gay Lynn Shipley and David Riley.

Board says focus is on improving students’ educational experience and increasing community involvement – 

By Patricia Beech – 

The Adams County Ohio Valley School District on Monday, Jan. 8 seated two newly elected school board members.
Gay Lynn Shipley and David Riley were administered the oath of office by Adams County Common Pleas Judge Brett Spencer during a ceremony held at the Ohio Valley Career and Technical Center in West Union.
Incumbent board member, Judy Mosier Campbell, who won re-election on the November ballot was also sworn in during the ceremony.
Superintendent Richard Seas said he is excited to begin working with the new board.
“Adams County is a beautiful place with wonderful kids and families, and we need the guidance these board members will provide,” said Seas.
Shipley, a professor at Shawnee State University’s School of Teacher Education, says she plans to work with the teachers, administrators, and parents in the district to bring about positive changes and give students hope that “they can do and be whatever they want”.
“I hope we can all work together and use our areas of expertise to improve our students’ educational experience and expose them to opportunities that will help them grow and develop skills that will not only help them find jobs in this area, but also encourage them to broaden their experience by visiting other places to see what they have to offer,” Shipley said. “I believe we must provide them the opportunity to take advantage of those choices.”
Riley, a Production Supervisor at General Electric, says his goal is to improve communication with community members to encourage more participation and involvement in organizations like the PTO and the Athletic Boosters.
“I think it takes all of us working together to improve education and enrich the lives of our students,” he said. “Having positive role models who support our students in other areas further enhances their education.”
Riley’s hope to increase community involvement in the district is shared by board member Charlie Bess. She is heading up the board’s new Communication Committee.
“It’s important to get the community more involved in the activities that go on in our schools,” she said. “We have a lot of positive programs in our buildings that people are not aware of, and this committee will allow us to get this good information out into the community.”

From left, AVOVSD Board President Judy Mosier Campbell, new Board member David Riley, Judge Brett Spencer, and new Board member Gay Lynn Shipley.

Beginning her second term on the board, Judy Mosier Campbell says she is excited about starting a new year with a new board. She praised the work being done by administrators in the district’s schools.
“They are really taking ownership of their buildings, and that’s a new thing here – they’re required to follow policy, but they need to govern their own buildings, and they’re doing that very effectively,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a good year.”
The ACOVSD school board meetings are held twice a month at the Career and Technical Center in West Union.. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.