Jennifer Baughman started the school year by cooking breakfast for West Marion Primary School staff.
Since then, the PTO president organized several fundraisers, including one that allowed the school to buy 20 computers, and comes to the school twice a week to help however is needed.
Her tireless efforts earned her the honor of the Parent of the Year Monday at the Marion County School District Board of Education meeting, according to Superintendent Wendy Bracey and WMP Principal Vicki Boone.
The mother of three says she enjoys serving.
“I’m blessed because I am able to stay home with my children, so I have no excuse not to help,” Baughman said. “Growing up, my mom worked 40-plus hours a week, so she never got to help. I told Vicki that I wanted to help. Two days per week, I go up there and do whatever she wants me to do. I make copies; I’ve sat in the lunchroom or whatever.”
Bracey said she researched and found it had been a long time since the district named a Parent of the Year, and she thought it would be very worthy because many parents and grandparents work hard to help principals out in many aspects.
Bracey thanked Baughman for her efforts and members of the Board introduced themselves as she was given the award.
Boone said it’s an honor to have Baughman on their team.
“Our theme this year is ‘Going from good to great,’ and we’re going to make things happen together and I couldn’t do it without this lady right here,” she said. “She has served the past two years as treasurer, but this year she is president of our parent organization.”
Boone said the year began with Baughman offering to cook breakfast for the staff.
“She has the ability to motive and organize others and her enthusiasm is contagious and everybody jumped on board with her,” she said. “We had a full-blown breakfast at the beginning of school. It takes a great team and a great leader to make that happen.”
Baughman’s work with the PTO led to several fundraisers that have benefited the school greatly, according to Boone. Between fundraisers and federal money, the school has expanded its technology.
“Thanks to the efforts of the Krispy Kreme sale, we were able to buy 20 computers,” she said. “The big thing we are doing this year is to increase our technology and our devices. When we got there, we had one cart; now we have seven. Jennifer and her team helped provide that.”
Baughman and her group’s efforts have helped with several fundraisers and events for teachers and students alike, including a trunk-or-treat, Valentine’s dances, open houses, a Super Bowl luncheon for teachers and more.
“She organized all of this,” Boone said. “She worked with community leaders and parents and we had a full-blown trunk-or-treat with more than 20 cars, treats and games for the kids. It was a great school experience and a great community experience. Our theme is teamwork and you’ve helped develop these partnerships. We can do more together. You’re awesome.”
And Baughman is not done: Her latest plan is a “teacher buffet” for back to school.
“Not a food buffet, but one with school supplies,” she said. “Each teacher can get things like markers and wipes. I want to do a supply drive for kids, too.”
District 5 Board Member Larry Jenkins also congratulated Baughman and asked if there were similar stories at all of the schools and Bracey answered there were.
“Those are great stories,” he said. “Those are stories that can be motivating factors to encourage parents at all of the schools.”
Pictured Above: Marion County School District Parent of the Year Jennifer Baughman receives her award from Superintendent Wendy Bracey during Monday’s school board meeting. Baughman leads the PTO at West Marion Primary. | Photo by Mark Rogers
