At the November Board meeting, the Loveland Board of Education honored fellow Board member Judy McClanahan for her 12 years of service. Dr. McClanahan was first elected to the Board in 1997 and her term expires on December 31, 2009. Dr. McClanahan chose not to seek re-election. She will be replaced by Katie Bontrager who was elected in the November 3 election.
According to Dr. McClanahan, "The last 12 years have been an incredible journey for me and for my family. I will never forget just after I was elected in 1997, a Loveland bus passed me on the street and I noticed for the first time (truly noticed) the phrase painted onto the side of the bus. It said, ‘Board Owned’, and the reality of the incredible responsibility of the position really struck me at that moment when I realized that I was responsible for, not just the education of thousands of students, but also their safety and security.”
During her tenure with the Loveland School Board Dr. McClanahan served as President in 2002, 2003, 2006 and as Vice President in 2000, 2001, and 2004. Most recently, she has represented the Board on the Curriculum and Instruction, PAWS (Promoting an Attitude of Wellness in Schools) and Policy and Planning committees.
“Adopting policies that govern the school district is one of the primary functions of a board of education. Dr. McClanahan has been instrumental in helping the Loveland school board keep its policies up to date and in compliance with state and federal law,” said Loveland Superintendent Dr. Kevin Boys. “On a personal note, I could always count on Dr. McClanahan to thoughtfully consider recommendations and cast her vote on what was best for the children of Loveland. We will miss her quiet, thoughtful leadership.”
Dr. Kathryn Lorenz, Board President added, “Judy McClanahan is perhaps the hardest working board member I've had the pleasure of working with while I've been on the Loveland Board. Of course, we all saw this in her herculean, singlehanded efforts to keep the District policies in order. She paid extreme attention to detail but never lost sight of the big picture and helped us to have the best, most complete policies possible. But her hard work is evident in so many other ways. I don't ever recall an instance where a task needed to be done or a volunteer needed to step forward that Judy didn't offer to do the work. And she always completed every task she undertook.”
Dr. McClanahan has her B.S. in Pharmacy and Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Kentucky. She is a member of the Music Boosters, Athletic Boosters, PTA/PTSA, Loveland Schools Foundation and River Hills Christian Church. Judy and her husband, Stephen, and their family have lived in Loveland for 23 years and have three children who graduated from the District.
“I am thankful for my family and their support over the years. My children, Corinna, Alyssa, and Kegan, have always given me their support, and Stephen, my husband, has always helped me honor my commitment to the Board and to Loveland Schools. He retired from P&G last December and we have a few adventures ahead of us! “
Dr. McClanahan had this final message to share, “The last seven years, working with Dr. Boys and his administrative team have been a time for me of learning what leadership is and how it should work. Kevin is an example of a true leader. I am honored that I was able to be a part of Loveland during some of the years that he is our Superintendent. I send my thanks to each of our employees, to everyone in the community, and to my fellow Board members for their support and encouragement. The education of the children of a community is a tremendous responsibility and my hope is that I have lived up to the faith that was placed in me when I was elected."
