The West Geauga Schools Board of Education honored out-going member Thomas Phelps with an award at the Dec. 11 board meeting.
he West Geauga Schools Board of Education honored out-going member Thomas Phelps with an award at the Dec. 11 board meeting.
“Dr. Phelps is arguably the most beloved member of this board,” remarked Superintendent Richard Markwardt. “His prominent role as a highly respected Cleveland Clinic pediatrician is especially apparent in his home community of West Geauga. Here, he is not only a physician, but a neighbor, a husband, a father and a friend.”
Board President Dan Thoreson described Phelps’ early months on the board with him as “indoctrination under fire” and “eye openers for us.”
Phelps categorized that period as “polarized,” with the public divided over whether or not to approve admitting students from outside of the district under an open enrollment policy.
“I came from a background as a physician where 98 percent of your patients like you to a school board where 50 percent of the public doesn’t like you because they believe you are aligned with someone they do not like,” Phelps said. “And, it wasn’t true. We had our own opinions.”
When asked what he learned from his experience on the board, Phelps replied, “Listening is important.”
“So is hearing every side of every story,” he said. “As residents and as board members, we need to understand where everyone is coming from.”
Phelps thanked his wife, Judy, and his family, who helped him through those first few months in office.
He complimented the school system.
“This is the ‘selfie’ generation, but there’s a world of others and other possibilities here,” he said. “We have band, sports and a number of activities as well as interesting course work for our students.”
Phels said his best day in office was when the current superintendent joined the district.
“I’d say when Dr. Markwardt came on board as superintendent, people respected him and things calmed down,” Phelps explained. “Today’s another one of the best days, knowing I’m leaving with a board that gets along with each other and can have a civil discussion.”
