At the monthly St. Clair County Board of Education meeting, two officer positions were open for nominations. Scott Suttle was nominated for the Chair position and Marie Manning for the Vice Chair position.

Both candidates already serve on the Board, Suttle from Moody, and Manning from Ragland. Both candidates have high expectations from the Board of Education, as well as the school systems in the future.

“I am looking forward to increased support for our schools in all aspects,” Manning said. “I also want to see increased academic vigor from all of our students.”

In Manning’s eyes, the Board serves as an example for students on what is expected of them. She plans to maintain that example for all students.

“We set the standard for our students,” Manning said. “Then we get to watch them rise up to it.”

Suttle has high hopes for the BOE, as special programs come to fruition this school year, including the culinary and vocational education programs.

“I am just really excited to see the Board execute what it has set out to do this school year,” Suttle said. “I’m looking forward to the Board really throwing itself behind these schools, supporting them in every way it can.”

Suttle believe the BOE benefits students academic performance through leadership and guidance. That is done not by micromanaging faculty or students, but by offering schools direction.

“The Board provides schools with a vision,” Suttle said. “We reveal that vision to them and then they are able to take that vision and fulfill it, in the specific way that each school needs.”