Laura Harrison – Seeking re-election to the School Board – Biography
My name is Laura Harrison and I am running for re-election for the Lakeland School Board. My husband and I have lived in Lakeland for 14 years and have four children. I was elected to the inaugural Lakeland School Board in 2013. I currently serve as the school board vice chair and the policy committee. I have a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Memphis and a Master’s of Business Administration from Bethel University. I have worked for 17 years as a Project Engineer and Planning/Analysis Advisor for FedEx handling the company’s largest customer contract worth about $10.5 billion during which time I was awarded the FedEx Five Star Award, the company’s highest award, twice for successful project work. I have also been heavily involved in the Lakeland community serving or having served on various boards including Lakeland PTA Board of Managers, Lakeland Prep PTO Board of Managers, and Lakeland Cheer Booster Board of Managers.
I am running for re-election to because I have a passion for public education. I also have extensive leadership experience and a demonstrated track record of outstanding results over the past 4+ years. I want use my skills and abilities to continue leading a course that enriches the Lakeland School district with thoughtful and purposeful oversight that continue to attract and keep families as well as allow each child to reach their fullest potential.
What is your vision for the Lakeland School System over the next four years?
The Lakeland School system motto is: LEARN. GROW. LEAD. If I’m re-elected, over the next four years as a Lakeland School Board member I will take every opportunity to continue to LEARN: LEARN what areas our students are thriving in academically and where they need help, LEARN from our parents what will improve their experiences and what further opportunities they want for their children, and LEARN from our teachers what new tools and methodologies we can use to continue a successful learning environment. From this I will continue to foster our GROWTH as a school system: GROW the number of families we serve, GROW the engagement of students, parents and teachers, and GROW our number of success stories. I will also continue to strive for Lakeland School system to LEAD: LEAD the State of TN in academic outcomes, LEAD in innovative learning techniques resulting in children and families becoming life-long learners, and LEAD in fulfilling strategic objectives such as security enhancements and employee retention.
What is the major issue for the Lakeland School System now and how do you address it?
The enrollment growth of Lakeland School System and classroom capacity is one of the most important issues facing LSS. Currently the elementary school has enrollment of around 92% capacity. There is a safety enhancement and classroom expansion underway that will reduce this to about 74% and will provide room for K-4 enrollment growth over the coming years. The middle school enrollment is at 86% capacity in its second year of operation, about 150 students over the shared planner’s projections. Implementing the build out plan for the middle school property would address the building capacity issues that Lakeland School System is facing.
Why are you the person needed to guide the School System’s future? List your capabilities.
As a project engineer and planning/analysis advisor at a Fortune 500 company for the past 17 years, I have significant experience in project planning and management oversight. Also since 2013, I have served on the Lakeland school board. In that time, LSS has been #1 in the State of TN for grades 3-5 three times over. LSS has also achieved Exemplary School District status and Lakeland Elementary was designated a Reward school. The Lakeland Middle Preparatory School construction project was completed on time and almost $1 million under budget. Lakeland Elementary currently is under construction creating a more secure entrance and adding classroom/cafeteria space. LSS has operated on the state minimum funding without requesting any additional operating funds and has established a $4 million dollar rainy day fund. These are only a small sample of our successes. As my vision for LSS outlined, we cannot rest on these successes. Using the skills developed over my career and my working knowledge of the school system, I will continue to strive for improvement in these areas as well as others.
Describe your involvement in the Lakeland community.
I currently serve as a Lakeland school board member. I also serve on the Lakeland Prep PTO board and the Lakeland Cheer Boosters Board and I have served as a Lakeland Elementary PTA board member and room parent.
