By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The lives of Norm Geer and Ryan Myers are intricately intertwined with education. One was raised by, married to, and parented a teacher. One has devoted his career to education.
As an extension of their love for kids and respect for public education, both currently serve as members of the Bowling Green Board of Education. And neither want that work to end.
So last week, Geer and Myers announced they will be running for re-election to the school board. The other three seats on the board – held by Ardy Gonyer, Tracy Hovest and Peggy Thompson – are in the middle of their four-year teams.
Both Geer and Myers have been there for the tough years, when it seemed the school district might never get voters’ support for a new high school, and recently when the operating levy failed the first time around.
Those hurdles have been cleared, and both men feel they still have a lot to offer the district as it moves ahead into better times.
Norm Geer
Geer, who is in his eighth year and currently president of the school board, grew up understanding the value of public service.
“I’m a child of the 60s,” he said. “I listened to JFK talk about what you can do for your country.”
His father was an administrator at Bowling Green State University, and his mother was a history professor at Findlay College. Geer’s wife, Teri, taught at Bowling Green City Schools for 30 years.
“I saw everything she did everyday,” he said.
One of their daughters teaches art in Georgia.
As a young adult, Geer toyed with the idea of teaching. He went through student teaching and got his teaching certificate.
“Education has always been a big part of our family,” he said.
Geer changed his career path to law, and has practiced in Bowling Green for decades. Like education, he sees law as a public service.
“I was interested in helping people,” with the bulk of his clients being individuals, not corporations or businesses.
Along the way, Geer also learned he loved kids. He coached baseball for 9-10-year-olds for 10 years. “I really like kids.”
So for Geer, his role on the school board is a natural fit.
“I like public service. I like education. I like kids. I love my hometown,” he said. “Children are the future of our community.”
Ryan Myers
Myers, who is in his fifth year on the school board, sees that service as an extension of his profession.
“My whole career has been education,” he said, teaching five years then serving in administration at Penta Career Center for the past 20 years. “This has been my passion.”
Myers, who has two children in the BG district, had observed from the sidelines for years as voters continued to reject bond issues for any new buildings.
“I had watched as a parent as levies failed – knowing the conditions of the buildings,” he said. “I felt like I could help.”
His first first attempt to be elected to the school board failed, but Myers stayed involved. When Bill Clifford resigned from the board in the fall of 2020, Myers was selected to fill his unfinished term.
He came onboard when schools were struggling with how to deal with COVID. And like Geer, Myers had to learn how to function as one member of a five-member board.
“I didn’t know how to operate on a governing board either,” he said.
It was only after being elected that both men came to understand just how difficult the position could be.
“I realized how tough the job was,” Geer said.
But after hitting brick walls at the polls, the eventual successes along the way make the job worthwhile.
“It’s satisfying. It’s rewarding,” Geer said.
Turning the corner
Both men feel Bowling Green City Schools is making positive strides.
“We’re in the middle of that upward trajectory,” Myers said. “But it feels like there’s still more work to do.”
They credit the new direction and community support to several factors.
First, the board hired a new superintendent after a very public selection process. New leadership under Superintendent Ted Haselman repeatedly posed the question to the community – “What kind of district do we want to be?”
Second, the board studied teacher salary schedules in the region and found Bowling Green to be among the lowest, ranking seventh out of eight districts. The board made a commitment to improve that standing, and last year, BG Schools had the highest beginning salary of the eight districts.
“We knew we were losing teachers to other districts with better pay,” Myers said. “We want to be a destination district.”
The district put new focus on providing professional development and necessary resources to teachers.
Third, the district fought back against the perception that leadership was not transparent with the public. The new district treasurer makes public the revenues and expenses of the district. And a communications director was hired to get information about the district out to local residents.
“We battled that stigma of not being transparent,” Myers said.
Fourth, increased focus was put on improving scores on the state report card. Scores went up, with Bowling Green second in the county only to Perrysburg.
“We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re making headway,” Myers said.
Next, a new buildings and grounds director was hired, and more emphasis was put on maintaining all the district’s buildings. Problems like toilets not flushing, or cockroaches in a building were quickly resolved. Haselman put a priority on maintaining buildings so they would “instill pride” in students, staff and visitors.
“He believes in curb appeal, while being fiscally responsible,” Myers said.
And the district prioritized having good relationships with the City of Bowling Green, BGSU, and civic organizations.
New high school
Eventually, voters decided, “this is what we want our district to be,” and after several failed attempts passed the bond issue for a new high school.
That was huge for the district.
Throughout the planning process for the new high school, Geer and Myers have been the two board members participating in the design process.
“Ryan and I have been involved in everything,” Geer said. “We realize we have one opportunity to do this right.”
Both realize the building needs to meet future needs of students, lasting 60 years or more – all while staying within the budget.
“It’s very well thought out in terms of what students need,” Myers said, taking into consideration the overall student experience. “It’s incredibly exciting.”
Come November, Geer and Myers hope voters will return them to the board so they can continue the “upward trajectory.”
“We’ve been a part of the team that’s made this happen,” Myers said. “We’re in the middle of a lot of exciting things. We are trying to add some value.”
“We’ve taken obvious steps to listen to the community. People feel we are approachable and responsive,” Myers said.
Geer agreed.
“I want the best for this community,” Geer said. “It’s our way of giving back.”
