Trenton School Board Newcomer Discusses Plans for District

Trenton residents will see a new face on the Trenton Public Schools Board of Education on Jan. 1, after newcomer Sean Gearhart was elected Tuesday.

Gearhart, 34, will be serving his first term as board member.

The 6-year term begins on Jan. 1, 2013. In the mean time, Superintendent Rod Wakeham said he plans on using the time between now and the end of the year to get to know Gearhart.

"We will run him through a meeting with the various people at central office and get him out to the schools, and get him ready to go -- come January," Wakeham said.

Trenton-Grosse Ile Patch editor Nate Stemen caught up with Gearhart after the election to find out what happens next? Here are the questions followed by Gearhart's answers:

How does it feel to win? What were you thinking when you found out you won?

"It feels great. I am very thankful for all of the support that I received from family, friends, and the Trenton community.

"What an honor it is to be selected for the board. There have been a number of legendary board members in the past, and I will do the best I can to make them proud."

What is the first thing you will do as board member?

"Tour the schools and meet the administrators, teachers and fellow board members.  I am very excited to get started."

What are some major issues with Trenton Public Schools?

"As with many other schools districts in the area right now, the funding is down. The reduction in funds creates multiple issues within in the district: large classroom sizes, a lack of resources and a reduction in technology investments -- to name a few."

How can they be fixed?

"We need to promote the district, so that young families decide to move here. We need to create more community involvement in the district. We also need to create more fund raising events. We can't be afraid to look at what other good school districts around the nation are doing and implement those ideas here."