Candidate: Mary Prows

“But, if you really want to get involved in making a difference, you can stay at home with your family and have a job and make a reasonable living without having to be on an airplane all of the time, then you ought to go back home and run for School Board."                   Birch Bayh, US Senator from Indiana, 1963-1981

As Birch Bayh stated in the opening quote, if you want to be involved and make a difference, run for school board. A school board member’s duties consist of creating & maintaining school district policy and procedure, fiduciary responsibility, and to provide each child the opportunity to receive a complete education program in accordance with the Sunshine State Standards. One of the greatest rewards of being a part of the education system is to witness a child or adult gain understanding and knowledge of lifelong learning. 

My name is Mary Prows and I am running for the District 4 seat on the Sumter County School Board. I am committed as a candidate to use my skills and related experiences to work with the Superintendent and the other four elected members of the Sumter County School Board to ensure our school system creates the best possible education system for the children and families in Sumter County. It is important to me to keep the educational, physical, and social/mental well-being of each student and the families we serve present in our decisions.

A governing board should be receptive to new ideas, responsive to all community stakeholders, encouraging open dialog, and seeking continuous improvement in all aspects of the District. My top priority is to ensure all students are served in the best ways possible based on their individual needs, and providing the best support to school staff as they are the foundation of a student’s success.

Personal Information:

I was born and raised in Grant County, Indiana, living there until my husband and I made the decision to move to Sumter County in 2020.  Married at a young age, my husband and I are excited to celebrate 50 years of marriage in March 2024. We are the proud parents of three adult sons who reside in Indiana with their wives and our eight grandchildren. I had the opportunity to attend college with my younger two sons. 

Education Information:

• Mississinewa High School - Gas City, Indiana - High School Diploma

• Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion, Indiana 

  • Associate in Business - 2001

  • Bachelors of Science in Management - 2003

  • Masters in Business Administration - 2005, Accounting - 2007

• Indiana University’s Lilly School of Philanthropy - Certificate in Not for Profit Fundraising

• Lead, Inc. - Certificate in Community Engagement

• Training in Social, Emotional, Learning Education working with the At-risk youth

Employment Related Information:

• Indiana Members Credit Union - Finance, Not for Profit - 11 years

• New Horizons Youth Ministries - Finance, Social/Emotion, At-risk Youth, Not for Profit - 3 yrs

• Indiana Wesleyan University - At-risk Youth, Higher Education, Finance, Not for Profit, Grant Writing - 16 years

• The Training Center - Not for Profit Start-Up, Finance, At-risk Youth, Education, Grant Writing, Community Relations, Human Resources - 14 years 

Community/Volunteer Information:

• Church Volunteerism - Leadership, Youth - 48 years

  • Encounter Church - Wildwood, FL - 2 years

• Choices Pregnancy Center - Wildwood, FL- 1 year

• Marion Community School Board - Marion, IN - 2 years of 4-year term, resigned prior to moving to Florida.  My tenure included service through out the period of Covid-19 and the hiring of a new School Superintendent and his leadership team. Served on the following committees or teams:                                                                               

  • Contract Negotiation Team

  • Policy and Procedures Review Committee

  • Representative to Head Start                                                                 

• Prevent Child Abuse Council - 13 years - Served as Treasurer

• Purdue University/Grant County, IN Extension Board - 10 years - Served as Secretary

• 4-H Youth Development Board - Grant County, IN - 12 years

• Circles of Grant County, IN (Building Community to End Poverty) - Start-up - 11 years

• Community Forum to Combat Poverty - Grant County, IN - 2 years

In summary, my areas of priority are: 

• Pursue Excellence in Education

• Early Childhood Learning

• Fiscal Responsibility

• Proficiency Rates - Math/Reading

• Student Achievement

• Marketplace Readiness for Lifelong Success

• Grow Community Connections

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.  My education and life experiences qualify me to serve well as the District 4 member of the Sumter County School Board. 

  Why do I want to run for the School Board?  It's for the Kids!

Mary Prows