Sobah Vows to Keep Focus on Education if Re-Elected to School Board

A Clinton Township resident, George Sobah currently sits as vice president on the Chippewa Valley Board of Education. Sobah is one of three candidates vying for two six-year terms in the board’s May 3 election.

Sobah is the father of four Chippewa Valley students–one graduate and three in district elementary, middle and high schools–and a 10-year veteran of the board.

It is this experience, as well as his financial background, that Sobah believes is an asset to the district.

“When times are rough like this and we have a lot of tough decisions ahead, it’s good to have experience there,” Sobah said. “(Trustee ) and I are both very conscious about the spending and dollars. We’ve made a lot of cutbacks. We’ve built our fund equity so we can save money and make it through tough times. I’m really proud of Chippewa Valley. I think it’s a wonderful district and that speaks for itself.”

Macomb Patch recently spoke with Sobah regarding his experience on the board and the issues he plans to tackle if elected for another term.

Why are you re-running for school board?

“I’m committed to Chippewa Valley. I think that education is extremely important and parents need to be involved in the educational process. If I can help maintain what our school district is doing, then I will be kept on; if I can’t, then voters will decide, I guess.”

What issues are you looking to focus on in your next term, if re-elected?

“Obviously, our budget is the No. 1 focus right now. Everything that is going on in the state right now, we need to find a solution. We will follow our union groups and administration and save money where we can. At Chippewa Valley, we’ve done so much with so little for so long it’s incredible. I think our administration does a wonderful job of doing that.”

With less and less funding coming from the state, what sort of things can the school board do to ensure the quality education and activities at Chippewa Valley?

“The No. 1 thing is to focus on the reason we’re there and that is to educate. Everything else we do is secondary. We look at every line item in the budget, go through and try to create efficiencies where we can. We’ve joined consortiums where we’ve done group purchasing so we get better pricing on things and we’re looking at what we can do to consolidate services with other districts. We’re looking at everything right now.”

What activities are you or have you been a part of in your local community?

“I’m still an active member of Ottawa’s PTO and I try to make as many events as I possibly can. Having four kids keeps me pretty busy. I go to the events at their schools, and try to make more of other schools when I can. I’ve coached a lot of little leagues, baseball and girls softball.”

Sobah’s name will appear with fellow incumbent Aquino and two-time candidate on the May 3 ballot.

Members of the community can contact Sobah with questions and concerns by emailing him at gsobah@gmail.com.