Candidate for Manchester Community Schools Board of Education
Manchester has been part of my past, my present, and my future. I’m running for school board because I want to give back to the community that gave me so much.
Meet James
I grew up here, went to school here, and graduated from Manchester High School. When our current high school was being built, I participated in the groundbreaking ceremony and turned one of the first shovels of dirt for the building I would eventually graduate from.
Education has been a big part of my personal and professional life. I have worked in higher education, student success, and educational technology, and I have seen firsthand that there isn’t one right path for every student.
Some students will attend a four-year university. Others may choose community college, the skilled trades, an apprenticeship, military service, entrepreneurship, or the workforce. I want to make sure every Manchester student is prepared for whatever comes next.
I have also spent more than 15 years coaching student-athletes from early elementary through middle school. That experience has shown me that there isn’t one formula that works for every student. Research points to the importance of belonging1, useful feedback2, and support that responds to individual needs. I want our schools to use evidence, listen to students and educators, and keep adjusting when something isn’t working.
Connected through coaching
I’ve had the opportunity to coach student-athletes at many different points in their journey. These relationships—and the coaches, families, board members, donors, and sponsors who make the program possible—are a big part of why this community means so much to me.
What I care about
I want every student to understand the options available to them and have the skills and experiences to take their next step with confidence—whether that means college, the skilled trades, an apprenticeship, military service, entrepreneurship, or entering the workforce.
Our teachers and staff do important work every day. Recruiting and retaining great educators gives students greater stability and helps the district maintain manageable class sizes. I want employees to have meaningful professional development, the tools they need, strong leadership, and the support to do their jobs well.
Every dollar the district spends belongs to our community. I will work to understand where our resources are going, ask thoughtful questions, plan for the future, and communicate honestly about the tradeoffs behind major decisions.
Manchester's schools and community are deeply connected. I want to strengthen partnerships with families, local organizations, businesses, alumni, and community members so we can create more opportunities for students.
Research-based decisions
No single program, policy, or number guarantees that students will succeed. The research does identify conditions that can help. I want to connect that evidence to the work a board member can actually do: setting policy and district goals, approving budgets, supporting strong staffing, and monitoring results.
A large randomized study found that a brief belonging intervention improved several outcomes when schools had conditions that supported belonging. What the board can do: set clear expectations for school climate and review evidence such as student surveys, attendance, and discipline patterns.
Read the belonging studyPenn’s national math megastudy found modest gains from behaviorally informed messages to teachers, with personalized progress information producing the strongest result. What the board can do: make sure educators have useful systems, training, and time to identify and respond to student needs.
Read the Penn megastudyTeacher turnover can disrupt student achievement and school improvement. What the board can do: use budgets, contracts, superintendent goals, and employee feedback to strengthen compensation, working conditions, development, recruitment, and retention.
Explore teacher workforce researchProject STAR’s randomized evidence found benefits from smaller classes, especially in early grades, although needs and results vary by setting. What the board can do: consider class size alongside teacher quality, enrollment, student needs, staffing stability, and cost when setting the budget.
Read the Project STAR analysisMy Manchester story
I was born and raised in Manchester and attended Manchester Community Schools. I participated in band, athletics, and Manchester's German exchange program.
I graduated in 2005 in the top 10% of my class. I was a four-year varsity wrestler, three-time state placer, and state champion.
I earned my bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and became a three-time varsity wrestling letterwinner.
I earned a master's degree in Higher Education Student Affairs/Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University. My work has focused on education, student success, educational technology, and building products that help people learn.
After living in Virginia for a short time, my wife—also a Manchester native—and I decided to come home and start our family in the community that gave both of us such a strong start. I’ve had the pleasure of coaching youth wrestling for more than 15 years, helping our student-athletes learn, grow, and become respectful young adults. Now my son is beginning his own academic journey and his first experiences as a student-athlete. Serving on the school board would be one more way I can give back while helping Manchester’s students grow.
“Manchester invested in me. Running for the Board of Education is another way I hope to give something back.”— James Tobias
Why I’m running
I don’t believe a board member needs to have every answer. A good board member should listen to teachers, staff, students, families, and community members, and collaborate effectively with the other members of the board. They should use evidence, understand the district’s finances, establish clear expectations for the superintendent, and explain their decisions to the public.
I also believe the board should provide direction and oversight without trying to manage the district’s day-to-day work. I want to support our educators and administrators while maintaining the accountability the community expects from its Board of Education.
Learn more about the official work of the Manchester Community Schools Board of Education and the Michigan Association of School Boards.
Let’s talk
Whether you’re a parent, student, teacher, staff member, alumnus, taxpayer, business owner, or someone who cares about Manchester’s schools, I welcome the opportunity to talk.
