January is school board recognition month. This is
a time to thank seven board members who lead Topeka Public Schools by giving of
their time and talents. Their actions and decisions affect the present and
future lives of our children.
TPS school board members are:
Patrick Woods, president
Janel Johnson, vice-president
Hal Gardner
Doug Glenn
Nancy Kirk
Peg McCarthy
Ned Nusbaum
Here are some fun facts about TPS school board
members.
Patrick Woods has served on the board of
education since 2007, serving as board president for three years. Mr. Woods
worked in Governor Sebelius’ administration. He serves on numerous boards. He is
fluent in Spanish. He is employed as the director of advancement for the
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas. During high
school, Mr. Woods had a habit of bungee jumping while working at an amusement
park.
Janel Johnson
has been on the board since 2007. She is a graduate of Topeka High School and
is currently employed as a systems analyst for the State of Kansas in the
Division of Information Systems and Communications. She is the director of her
church choir and she loves to sing gospel music. She is fluent in American Sign
Language.
Hal Gardner began his board service in
2009. While serving in the army, he was part of the American Forces Radio and
TV service in Ethiopia. He was also director of the field orchestra and band.
He is currently the executive director of the Support Learning Foundation. Mr.
Gardner played in a classical brass quintet and that he still lends his musical
talents as a back up to big bands in Topeka and Kansas City.
Doug Glenn has been a board member since
2001, making him the longest serving active TPS board member. He is a graduate
of Highland Park High School and is currently a CPA with CBIZ Accounting.
Mr. Glenn loves baseball and has a goal to visit all 30 major league ballparks.
So far, he has visited about half. He and his wife, Debbie, love Broadway
musicals and have traveled to New York, Chicago and St. Louis to see shows. He
has been a season ticket-holder at Starlight Theater in Kansas City for almost
30 years.
Nancy Kirk was elected to the board in
2007. She is a former state legislator. While attending Illinois State
University, Nancy Kirk participated in the Gamma Phi circus.
The circus was one without animals where students performed on the rings,
ropes, large balls, unicycles, bicycles, floor exercises and more. Mrs. Kirk performed
bicycle students while a male partner peddled the bike. She performed on the
handle bars, his back, and on a donut-shaped device attached to the handle
bars.
Peg McCarthy has been on the board since
2006. She is a graduate of Topeka West High School. In 1978, she won the
national spelling bee. Dr. McCarthy is currently a practicing psychologist. She
enjoys playing the harp.
Ned Nusbaum joined the board in 2005. Dr.
Nusbaum is a former administrator with Topeka Public Schools having served as
assistant principal at Topeka West High School and principal at Topeka High
School. He also served as assistant superintendent and associate superintendent
of Topeka Public Schools. While in college, he earned money by singing at
weddings and funerals.
More
information about TPS school board members can be found at http://www.topekapublicschools.net/board-members.
