NORWICH – The Norwich City School Board’s seventh member wasn’t on the ballot in the last election, doesn’t have any school-aged children enrolled in the district and, prior to being named to the open seat, had only attended two local school board meetings. But that doesn’t mean that Perry Owen isn’t eminently, and uniquely, qualified to fill the post.
When asked what prompted him to throw his name into the mix to fill the vacancy, Owen replied that it was “by request, really.”
At the first Norwich school board meeting Owen attended, he felt compelled to speak his mind. “No one knew what was going on,” said Owen. “There was great secrecy.”
Following that meeting, Owen said he was approached by several people suggesting he express an interest in the school board seat which had stood vacant since Bill Winans resigned on June 6.
He took their advice to heart, and at the Aug. 19 meeting, Owen stood during public comment and stated both the importance of filling the open seat and his willingness to serve. He also made a point of stating that, if appointed to the position, he would “not be in anyone’s pocket.”
Although not his only qualification for serving on the board, Owen thought it important to state this fact. “I wanted to make sure there was a clear understanding that I was an independent thinker,” said Owen. “I have no agenda.”
Although born in Wales, Owen speaks with an English accent he acquired living and working for many years in the UK. He served as the Marketing Manager for Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals in the UK before being transferred to the U.S. in 1980, where he assumed the role of International Commercial Manager. He and wife Venetia have been Norwich residents ever since.
Procter and Gamble aquired Norwich Eaton, and Owen moved into Professional Relations. After retiring from P&G, he became the Executive Director of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry, a non-profit organization concerned with bone density and skeletal health.
“We could live anywhere in the world when I retired from ISCD,” said Owen. He and Venetia considered returning to the UK as well as more exotic locations like the Philippines, India and Australia. In the end, they decided to stay right here in Norwich.
“It’s a great place to live,” said Owen, but he recognizes that there is always a need for improvement. Owen has taken action in this regard by becoming involved on the Chenango County Planning & Development Committee, which he said is tasked with creating a local environment conducive to living and working here. He is also active with STOP NYRI, the local organization opposed to the construction of the proposed 190-mile electric transmission line which would bisect Chenango County.
In Owen’s opinion, having a strong school district is one of the key factors in attracting industry and enterprise to Chenango County. Without high quality education, professionals are reluctant to relocate to an area, said Owen. It was this that led him to that fateful school board meeting.
“Perry cares deeply about the district and the contributions the schools can make to the community,” said Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan. “He is a great addition to the board.”
This is not Owen’s first experience as a school board member. More than 30 years ago, he served on the board of governors at Bedford Grammar School where his children attended.
While the Norwich City School District has struggled in recent years, Owen sees it making progress. The Middle School’s School In Need of Improvement status was “an awful stigma on the community as a whole, and that is being turned around,” said Owen.
Improved communication on all levels is key, according to the board’s newest member.
“We as a board must be responsible for ensuring that the public at large is aware of the great programs being put forward at this present time,” said Owen. “What I would advocate for is to get good community relations so that the community knows what is really going on to education students.”
The seventh board member said he has already been approached numerous times district residents who have comments and concerns. “As a public servant, I would never refuse anyone that wanted to see me on school issues.”
Whether or not it is Owen’s presence that has made the difference, the Norwich school board has settled several issues in the last two months that have been weighing on the district. Perhaps most notable have been the decision to grant tenure to Middle School Principal Lisa Schuchman and the ratification of the support staff contract. Of course, there are other issues still outstanding, like the Norwich Educators Organization contract and the status of Thomas Knapp.
“To me, it would be nice to get those things resolved as close to the beginning of the school year as possible so we can move forward with the students’ education,” said Owen.