By CONNIE NOLEN / Community Column

“If you want to keep leading, you have to keep reading,” said Pelham School Board Vice President Paul Howell. Howell’s extensive reading list of late includes periodicals such as “The Wall Street Journal,” “The Economist” and “The Atlantic.”

He also commented on the classic leadership text, “Who Moved My Cheese?” as he shared his thoughts on working with other school board members and city leaders to move the city’s new school system in a positive direction.

Working to help search for a chief financial officer for the school system, and serving as the school board member reaching out to Valley Intermediate School, Howell is uniquely qualified for both duties.

With a background in finance, Howell knows the new system has to make wise decisions.

“Starting with Dr. Ira Harvey’s feasibility study, three separate financial groups have verified that our city is financially sound,” said Howell.

Howell’s official role as VIS fifth-grader Ian’s dad gives him unique insight into VIS. As the Howell family enters its final spring at VIS, Howell comments on the full experience that his son is enjoying.

“Ian is at school early for Valley Voices, and he stays after school for band. In addition to getting an education, Ian is getting a full experience beyond school thanks to the dedication of Mrs. Lee and other school leaders,” said Howell. “Music activates the brain in unique ways and it’s incredible that our students have these opportunities.”

Both of Howell’s older children, Kristen Howell (PHS 2006) and Nathan Howell (2008) experienced both band and sports at the high school level. Kristen Howell also had a love of languages, and took extensive Spanish classes at in her program at UNA. Howell would like to see our system embrace the idea of knowing more than one language.

“I really want to see all trailers removed from PHS,” said Howell. Responding in part, to a question posed by a teacher at a recent meeting, Howell said, “As a local school system, we should be able to address the unique needs of our students within our few schools very quickly.”