Rick Lewis, 2011 Hicks Resident, spoke at The Patton Collge about the various issues facing public education.

ATHENS, Ohio (May 3, 2011) – Ohio University honored Rick Lewis as the 2011 Samuel I. Hicks Executive-in-Residence for his outstanding experience and leadership in the field of education. On April 18, 2011, the OHIO College of Business and Marching 110 alumnus visited his alma mater and reminisced about the professors and instructors that pushed him to strive for excellence. Excited to strut his old OHIO 110 band jacket and show his OHIO pride, Lewis presented his keynote address titled “The Challenges Facing Public Education in Ohio” at The Patton College prior to his Hicks recognition at the monthly meeting of the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools (CORAS).

He spoke of various issues facing public education, both political and economic, but concentrated on the recent changes in school funding and the ramifications of Senate Bill 5 (SB 5) for school districts.

“There will always be critics in education no matter which direction you go,” Lewis said. “We can’t control that, but what we can control is how we react to them.”

Many may be found specifically debating SB 5 because of its controversial nature. Incorporating the history behind the bill since 1947, Lewis described what is and isn’t included in the current contracts for education systems, such as collective bargaining reform, strikes, prohibited subjects (e.g. health care), wages, equipment and permissive subjects (e.g. qualifications).

“[Whether you’re against SB 5 or not,] people are going to be found in the middle,” Lewis said. “It’s an emotional issue, so you will need to do your homework.”

Ohioans should do their homework before the fall because, according to Lewis, there will be a referendum in November to attempt to repeal SB 5.  First, 1,000 initial signatures were required, which were already obtained and signed off on by the Secretary of State. The referendum will then need signatures of at least six percent of Ohio citizens who voted in the last gubernatorial election.  These signatures must include three percent of voters from the last election in at least 44 counties in Ohio.

“You’re going to see a massive campaign over the next few months,” Lewis said. “I don’t know if you’re ever going to see a campaign that has this much money spent on it.”

Whether it has to do with SB 5 or other school legislation, Lewis has confidence in education and the work of Ohio citizens paying it forward for future students and educators.

“The best things for our schools still lie in the future, perhaps beyond our days, but it’s going to be because of your inspiration,” Lewis said. “You’re never going to know where your efforts have led and how many people have benefited.”

Lewis’ idea of paying it forward through sharing his experiences and furthering education exemplifies the late Samuel I. Hicks and the entire Executive-in-Residence program. Lewis received the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration from Ohio University. He also holds the designation of Certified Association Executive (CAE) from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and is certified in convention management by ASAE. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, the American Association of School Administrators and the Ohio Society of Association Executives. Currently, Lewis is the executive director of the Ohio School Boards Association.

The Samuel I. Hicks Executive-in-Residence program was established through The Ohio University Foundation in 1976 to honor Samuel I. Hicks, professor emeritus of educational administration at Ohio University. Hicks, who died in 1999, dedicated more than 75 years to teaching, research and educational administration. His extraordinary devotion, achievement and service on behalf of higher education reflect the spirit with which the Hicks Executive-in-Residence award is presented.

Story by Nicole Bersani; photos by Mark Brunton