Kathleen Mack has served the Brecksville Board of Education for 9 years, serving as President for two years. Under her leadership the first woman superintendent was hired in the school district. Kathleen will continue to provide leadership and fight for public schools on the board of education. Currently, she is working in the Brooklyn School District as a gifted intervention specialist. Also, in Brooklyn, Mrs. Mack coaches the 7th grade Power of the Pen Team.

In 2020 Kathleen will continue her work as a Brecksville-Broadview Heights Board of Education Member.

Meet the Candidate

Can you tell our members a little bit about your journey to filing as a candidate?

I initially ran for the school board office because there were not any other women who felt comfortable throwing their hat in the ring. School board member’s families are the most scrutinized subgroup in a community. I had to explain to my family that this choice I was making would directly impact them. They were on board; however, I am not sure they completely grasped what they were in for.

Tell our members about a friend or family member who inspired you to become a leader.

My husband had been on the city council in our community for two years. We both agreed that it was important for our children to see our involvement in the community at this high level.

Some of you are military veterans, some small business owners, some professionals, some mothers and grandmothers, some homemakers. How did one of these experiences shape who you are as a person and leader?

Being a teacher and on school board in another community is a perfect combination. I have my finger on the pulse of education and realize that one board member should be or have been, an educator. This guarantees the board understands the educational impact of all decisions that they are making.

The Matriots PAC has a goal to see 50% of all elected offices in Ohio held by women by 2028. What is your vision for Ohio in 2028?

My vision for the future is gender equality in politics. I also want to see women supporting women, like the Matriots have done, because it’s a tough road to a political office. I have had women in our community help me, as I have done the same in turn.

Tip O’Neill famously said that “all politics is local.” What are the top-two issues your community or our state face today?

The top issues in our community are transparency and mental health. We have been videotaping our board meeting for the past 6 months, and we have had great success. We also have invested more time and finances into our mental health initiatives. Our students need support, and it is our role to make sure we help them in all aspects of the mind

Tell us something personal about yourself.

Fun Fact: In the last ten years, I have run 3 marathons and 4 half marathons. Another fact is that I listen to John Mayer daily because his voice soothes me. My daughter’s friends ask before they get in the car, “Are you listening to John Mayer?” I say, “Of Course, I am!” His songs are my adult version of lullabies.