By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Tammy Wellbrock, outgoing president/CEO of the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce, filed Thursday to run for the Hays USD 489 school board.
Wellbrock, 48, is leaving the Chamber this summer after eight years to start her own consulting business, Twin Girls Solutions LLC, in which she will serve as a professional trainer and presenter, targeting chambers, associations and the nonprofit sector.
Wellbrock said her position at the chamber prohibited her from holding public office, but she felt now she could take on an elected leadership role in the community.
“My son is a freshman, and this is a time I can impact his experience,” she said. “I want to be a role model, a good civic servant and I hope to make a positive impact on tomorrow’s students.”
Wellbrock served on the facilities committee for the school district prior to its first of two failed bond issues in 2016.
“Our purpose was to determine the difference between needs and wants,” she said. “I was able to visit every school and every boiler and got to see definite needs. … I realized our recommendations were going to impact the lives of many people.”
The school district had another bond fail in 2017, and the board has since debated a third try for bond to address facility needs.
Wellbrock said she personally supported both of the failed bond attempts. However, she acknowledged the facility needs of the district have changed since she was a part of the facilities committee and she would need to get herself up to date on current needs.
Wellbrock also said she would like to see a change in culture on the board.
“I would like less micromanaging by the board and to build a culture of positivity that would trickle down to the administration and staff so they enjoy their jobs and are proud of their jobs,” she said. “In turn, students and families can be proud of the work being accomplished and the education achieved through USD 489.”
Prior to her work at the chamber, Wellbrock served a variety of roles at Nex-Tech, was the assistant alumni director at FHSU, and sold advertising for the Hays Daily News and Wichita Eagle.
She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications from FHSU, has her Institute of Organization Management certification, and is a Certified Association Executive.
Four positions on the USD 489 school board will be up for election in November. They include the seats held by Luke Oborny, Mandy Fox, Paul Adams and Greg Schwartz. Luke Oborny has filed for re-election.
DISCLOSURE: Tammy Wellbrock is married to Gerard Wellbrock, Eagle Radio sports director. He is employed by Eagle Communications, which owns and operates Hays Post.