To get to know Derrick Bailey’s motivations as Lake’s newest board of education member, one needs to understand his stake in the community. Derrick has eight children, three of whom have already graduated from Lake Schools.
He has lived in the community for 10 years and he is a business owner.
“This is more than just a ‘position’ for me,” said Bailey. “I have a vested interest in both the educational quality and the financial stability of Lake Schools.”
He will bring extensive business experience as well as experience serving on the board of a 501 (c)(3) organization.
“Derrick is well-suited to be a board member. His past leadership in his church and his current job of CEO has prepared him to step into the role of working with the board in leading the school district,” said Ken Brott, Lake board member.
Bailey knows that as a board member he has been elected as a guardian and decision-maker for Lake Schools. He does, however, emphasize the community’s responsibility to be involved and the board’s responsibility to enjoy a continuous public dialogue.
“We are all in this together,” he said.
But what changes would he make if he could to Ohio’s school funding?
“3.14157 x E= MC2 divided by how many days in a month over what students are wearing red gives us a very clear understanding of school funding!" he muses.
In his obviously facetious attempt to poke fun at funding formulas that would confuse Albert Einstein, Bailey is aware of community frustration.
His thoughts are straightforward: 1. Simplify the formula 2.When a levy passes for operating expenses the amount of taxes the schools collect would increase as property values increase 3. Because schools are funded by public tax dollars, there needs to be a better balance across the state school districts in what we spend per pupil.
Bailey is cautiously excited about the state mandated all-day kindergarten that will impact many Ohio school systems besides Lake.
“The benefits educationally are documented and real,” he said. The implementation of all-day kindergarten in as timely a manner as Ohio dictates does create difficult challenges.
Overcrowding, staffing and additional financial burden are legitimate concerns involving a mandate whose adoption is required by the 2011/2012 school year, he said.
On a more personal note, reading and vacationing at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, are two of Bailey’s interests. His favorite authors include Rob Bell, Erwin McManus, Donald Miller and Malcolm Gladwell. The Bible is very important to him as he goes about his personal and business life. He is currently reading “The Shack” and finds it interesting and intriguing.
When asked what he would do with a “free” day in his schedule Bailey enthusiastically responded, “I would spend the day at home, with my family, making waffles, jumping on the trampoline, playing football and working in the yard. Then, dinner with my wife. When can I schedule this day?" he laughed.
