For New Education Board Member, ‘Steep Learning Curve’ Lies Ahead

The Indiana State Board of Education will have a new member soon. (Alexander McCall/WFIU News)

When Maryanne McMahon began teaching in 1985, she loved it. When someone recommended she consider administrative roles, she balked.

“I looked them square in the face and said ‘I am never leaving the classroom,'” McMahon recalls. “But never say never, I guess.”

Now, she is the newest member of the Indiana State Board of Education. Gov. Mike Pence appointed McMahon to the position last week. She brings nine years experience as a classroom teacher and over 20 years experience in administrative roles in MSD Decatur Township and Avon Community School Corporation.

Maryanne McMahon. (courtesy)

Her biggest priority on the board, she says, is making sure the board follows the rules.

“Just staying focused on what the law requires the board to do, is of importance,” McMahon says.

Beyond that McMahon is less specific about what vision or priorities she will bring to the board.

“I have a steep learning curve ahead of me,” McMahon says. “My mode of operating is to get informed.”

The state board will be in charge of implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the nation’s new federal education law. The law transfers much power in creating, implementing and enforcing education policy from the federal government to state government. In Indiana’s case, that’s the State Board of Education.

“I need to get perspective on where the board is with that right now,” says McMahon, referring to ESSA.

Indiana policymakers and educators are currently developing a new standardized test to replace Indiana’s ISTEP+ exam. ESSA gives state education agencies more power to change the nature of their standardized test.

“I do believe that the assessment and testing piece — I see the ramifications of the decisions on our students locally,” McMahon says. “I just want to make sure that it’s a fair process for all and it’s giving us the information that we need to know.”

Most of McMahon’s professional career has taken place in Avon Community School Corporation. For 17 years McMahon has served in various administrative roles, currently as an assistant superintendent.

“Throughout her career as an educator, Maryanne McMahon has distinguished herself as an innovative leader who works hard advancing the best interests of students, families and teachers,” said Gov. Mike Pence, in a statement.

Pence credits her work as superintendent, where she secured math and science partnership grants worth more than $500,000 and led an efficiency task force that saved the district $350,000, as assets to the board.

McMahon says there are other subjects the board oversees that she’s looking forward to learning about.

The state board of education annually approves school letter grades, the state’s method of ranking schools. The system has come under controversy in recent years. Tests that inform those letter grades were deemed inaccurate, prompting the state to allow schools and school districts to retain former rankings, if their rating fell.

“I know that there are schools that are in different places with levels of accountability,” McMahon says. “I know that the ramifications of what the board decides and how they move forward has impact way beyond my current experience. So I want to understand that more deeply.”

McMahon replaces former state board of education member Sarah O’Brien. O’Brien, a first grade teacher, also works for Avon Community School Corporation.

McMahon will begin serving on the board at October’s State Board of Education meeting.