Franklin County Schools board member BeLinda Henson has had a decision weighing on her lately, one that she’s looked at from all angles.
But in the end, Henson has decided not to run for re-election for the school board.
“I have considerations at home,” she said. “My mother is a very few days away from turning 90.”
Henson has served on the board for 12 years, representing District 3, which includes the areas of South Benson, Evergreen, Bald Knob, St. John, Choateville, Bridgeport-Botkins and Collins Lane.
BeLinda Henson, seen here being sworn in as a board member for Franklin County Schools in 2019, has decided not to run for re-election. (State Journal file photo)
Larry Perkins, the board member for District 2, is also up for re-election this year. District 2 includes the areas of Jett, Country Club, Stations Spring, Switzer, Forks, Swallowfield, Peaks Mill and Switzer.
Those interested in running for either seat must file their papers with the county clerk’s office by 4 p.m. on June 7.
The one thing that could change Henson’s mind is if no one enters the race.
“If no one else threw their hat in the ring, I think I would,” she said about running. “It would be my civic duty to run. Being a school board member, I take this job very seriously.
“I just know when they appoint someone, they often have no clue about education. I’ve been on all sides. I’m a parent, I was an employee for 15 years, and I’ve been a board member.”
Henson worked as the coordinator of the Parent Resource Center, helping parents who had children receiving special education services, and also as the Title I coordinator, training parents to better understand laws on special education.
Henson’s oldest daughter, Sarah, has high functioning autism.
“She’s on the spectrum, and that’s how I got involved in special education,” Henson said. “I had to learn by the seat of my pants, and I learned about being a better advocate for her. How you ask for something can determine whether you get it or not.
“I think Franklin County Schools gave her the best education that could be provided to her.”
Sarah works for Kentucky State Parks and will be able to retire soon.
“I just love Franklin County Schools,” Henson said, “and this is one way I could give back.”
There have been challenges as a board member.
“I think probably the hardest part of being a school board member is when you ask a question, you have to ask the next question, and if needed you have to ask the third question,” Henson said. “You have to know what you’re talking about in order to ask them. I know I’ve been a burr under the saddle sometimes. I know that, but I wear that like a badge of honor.
“I think your obligation as a school board member is to look out for and protect the students and staff, to provide as much as you can afford to teach children and prepare them to be the best citizens they can possibly be after graduation.”
It’s a role Henson has been glad to fill.
“It has been an honor and privilege to be a Franklin County Schools board member, and I have loved every minute of it,” she said. “You just know when it’s time.”
Post a comment as
Report
Watch this discussion.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
State-Journal.com’s comments forum is for civil, constructive dialogue about news topics in our community, state, nation and world. We emphasize “civil” at a time when Americans, in the words of the current president, need to “turn down the temperature” of political debates. The State Journal will do its part by more carefully policing this forum. Here are some rules that all commenters must agree to follow:
Absolutely no attacks on other commenters, on guest columnists or on authors of letters to the editor. Our print and online opinion pages are sacred marketplaces of ideas where diverse viewpoints are welcome without fear of retribution. You may constructively critique the ideas and opinions of others, but name-calling, stereotyping and similar attacks are strictly prohibited.
Leeway will be given for criticism of elected officials and other public figures, but civility is essential. If you focus your criticism on ideas, opinions and viewpoints, you will be less likely to run afoul of our commenting rules.
Keep comments focused on the article or commentary in question. Don’t use an article about the Frankfort City Commission, for example, to rant about national politics.
Hyperpartisanship that suggests anyone on the other side of an issue or anyone in a particular particular party is evil is not welcome. If you believe that all Democrats are socialists intent on destroying America or that all Republicans are racists, there are lots of places on the internet for you to espouse those views. State-Journal.com is not one.
No sophomoric banter. This isn’t a third-grade classroom but rather a place for serious consumers of news to offer their reactions and opinions on news stories and published commentary.
No consumer complaints about individual businesses. If you’ve had a bad experience with a private business or organization, contact the Better Business Bureau or the government agency that regulates that business. If you believe the actions of a private business are newsworthy, contact us at news@state-journal.com and we will consider whether news coverage is merited.
Absolutely no jokes or comments about a person’s physical appearance.
No promotion of commercial goods or services. Our outstanding staff of marketing consultants stands ready to help businesses with effective advertising solutions.
If you state facts that have not been previously reported by The State Journal, be sure to include the source of your information.
No attacks on State Journal staff members or contributing writers. We welcome questions about, and criticism of, our news stories and commentary but not of the writers who work tirelessly to keep their community informed. Corrections of inaccurate information in news stories should be sent to news@state-journal.com rather than posted in the comments section.