Top Photo: Will, Robert, Katye, Madison and Tracye Strichik.
By Hamilton Richardson
Elmore/Autauga News
After 25 years working in various roles and responsibilities in the field of education, Prattville resident Tracye Strichik is now preparing to move into a new field with new challenges after defeating the incumbent for the District 1 seat on the Autauga County Board of Education.
In the recent primary election in Autauga County, Strichik took home 54-percent of the votes cast to Eleanor Ballow’s 45-percent, unseating a longtime board member.
In detailing her experience for the role, Strichik said, “I have worked in education for over 25 years. I am a product of the Autauga County school system, as are my children.”
Strichik was a teacher in the school system from 1994 to 2011 as a Kindergarten teacher, a First, Third and Fourth Grade teacher and a Gifted and Talented Specialist.
Among her other educational accomplishments, Strichik also supervised lab students from Auburn University, Troy State University, Alabama State University, Auburn University Montgomery, and the University of Montevallo from 2002-2008.
While at the state level, she gained experience working directly with county superintendents, federal program directors, and leaders from other states.
“As a member of the Autauga County community, I have a desire and interest in pursuing a vision for Autauga County schools that reflects the needs of the students, the wishes of the voters, and the consensus of the community,” Strichik stated. “Ultimately, the school board answers to the public. Because we have a new superintendent and a new board, people are ready for a change and some growth. It’s an opportunity to get some new blood in the board and to make some changes and to build on what the prior board has done.”
As far as her list of priorities upon taking the seat, the Prattville High graduate said safety is at the top.
“Creating a safe and positive school environment, which includes updating or replacing many of our outdated facilities,” she said of her first goal. “We really need to update our facilities. There are many schools where they have one entry into the school and they have doors that lock automatically. We’re going to have to look at that. There are plans for some new schools and if we’re going to build these schools, we’re going to have to make sure they are state-of-the-art, not just quality of instructional material and technology, but also safety so that families feel safe when they drop their children off at school.”
Another of the incoming board member’s priorities is helping schools recover from the last two years.
“Also addressing the learning loss from the pandemic by providing summer programs, afterschool tutoring, high-quality instructional materials and working with families to ensure that each child is provided a high-quality education,” she said, adding that the board must also focus on supporting teachers.
“We have to figure out a way to recruit and retain quality teachers and a way to rekindle the joy of teaching that brought so many to the profession,” she said. “An effective school system requires input, support and involvement from not just the superintendent and board members but families, businesses, students, teachers, and employers. Teachers are in the best position to give feedback. They hear from students, families, fellow teachers, and principals on a daily basis. We have to trust that they know what students need and will do what it takes to meet the individual needs of each child.”
Along with teacher support, teacher retention is also on Strichik’s mind going in.
“The whole state and the whole nation are tackling teacher recruitment and retainment,” she said. “Often times there are 10 positions open and only five applicants. Those five may not be the most qualified. So many school systems are having to utilize that emergency certificate because they don’t have teachers that are qualified in math and science. So that’s an urgent need, highlighting the success in our county so that we can get some neighboring teachers to apply.”
Strichik, who has no opponent in the November General election, commented that she is looking forward to creating relationships with the other members of the board and understanding what each other’s vision is.
The educator described herself as having a huge heart for early childhood and a huge heart for teachers and is excited that others in the community seem to share those traits.
“I have talked to so many citizens across the community and the support for education in Autauga County is tremendous,” she said. “They too want to see Autauga County the best in the state.”
