Mark Hensen “Candidates Lack of Engagement”

October 19, 2025
From Mark Hensen, Pickerington Board of Education Member

This represents my views and does not necessarily reflect those of the PLSD Board of Education (BOE) or my colleagues. I’m speaking for myself, NOT the board.

My concern with some of the current (status quo) candidates is that they might not be engaged, focused, or committed. First, let me clarify that simply being on a board doesn’t automatically make someone a leader in that role – as we have already seen.

Regarding being engaged, focused, and committed, I recently raised concerns about resource leadership and communication issues on our board—problems that have persisted during the incumbent candidate’s tenure. Furthermore, the lack of some of these qualities has also been noticeable during the PLSD BOE candidate campaign season.

Candidate forums serve to educate and inform our community in a transparent and more accountable way—beyond candidate messaging in generic, one-way mailers or websites. Often, this is the ONLY opportunity for significant groups of community members to hear directly from candidates in an unscripted, interactive setting. Not participating in these forums shows a lack of respect for voters and the process. It also suggests a sense of entitlement to the position based on name recognition or other factors.

The following are the non-participation results for the current candidates in recent year town halls/forums and PEA screening (interviews). These events were announced well in advance, giving everyone ample time to reschedule other commitments or notify others about these community obligations.