Dear Editor,
My friend and neighbor, Mike Lynch, hoping to make a positive contribution to the education of our children, successfully ran for election as Chairman of the Greene County School Board in 2016 (and was re-elected in 2020).
Mike resigned recently due to Parkinson’s Disease-related health issues. His commitment, vision, and leadership skills, however, will continue to benefit the education of our county’s children for many years in the future.
COMMITMENT
Mike’s family of four younger siblings and a wonderful mom, nurse Ruth Lynch, came from humble means.
Assuming the man of the house role at an early age, he concurrently excelled in academics and sports while also working. During high school, he was mentored by several teachers to be the best he could be academically. After high school Mike was awarded an academic scholarship to Cornell, was MVP on the baseball team, married the love of his life, Carol, worked his way up the corporate ladder, and raised a fine daughter and son.
Later in life that early encouragement inspired Mike to give back through the education of children, particularly to those whose families might be less fortunate financially. Therefore, giving up a well-earned life of golf, travel, and leisure, he knowingly took on many challenges, worked 50 hours per week, endured criticism from all sides of many issues, ran for re-election in 2020, and never complained.
VISION
After his 2016 election, Mike led the development of an action-driven and comprehensive strategic plan.
This community-wide effort included substantial input from other school board members, school administrators, teachers, parents, and more than 100 other citizens from throughout Greene County. That plan has proven to be an invaluable foundation for many important organizations, personnel, finances, and, most importantly, improved student outcome decisions.
A few of many positive results:
• Significant improvement in primary school milestones for math and reading
• An increase in high school graduation rates
• Reduced teacher turnover
• The College and Career Academy’s ever-expanding contributions
• Passage of ESPLOST to help fund education (and reduce our taxes)
• Approval of a new preK through fifth-grade school
• Increased collaboration with our county’s many education-focused nonprofits
LEADERSHIP
Positive results for any group endeavor require teamwork and a capable group of individuals with specific responsibilities. Positive results also require one person to lead that team. Greene County found that humble leader when we elected Mike Lynch in 2016!
Tom Kelly, Greensboro