As the child of two Worthington teachers and the grandson of a school board member, Geoffrey Scott grew up in Worthington with an educational legacy.

He took his own turn at teaching in Worthington schools before leaving public education to pursue a law degree.

"I represent four constituent groups," Scott said. "I'm a parent, business owner, former employee and former student of Worthington City Schools. I have a vested interest in the success of our schools and community. My perspective gives me a profound understanding of the issues each of those constituencies face and the role a school board member should fill."

Scott, 39, will be joined by appointed board member Charlie Wilson and resident Julie Keegan in the Nov. 6 race for two seats on the Worthington school board.

Scott is a lawyer and partner in the Worthington law firm of Blaugrund, Herbert and Martin.

His mother, Susan Scott, graduated from Worthington schools and taught at McCord Middle School until her retirement in 2000. His father, Philip Scott, served 20 years as a school psychologist for the district.

Scott's grandfather, Harry Halliday, served on the Worthington school board in the 1940s.

Scott and his wife, Kristin, have three children: David, 7, and 4-year-old twins John and Lauren. David attends Bluffsview Elementary School.

Scott said his wife also graduated from Worthington schools and taught Spanish for nine years at Kilbourne Middle School.

After receiving an education degree from Ohio State University in 1990, Scott was employed as an educational aide at Worthington Kilbourne High School for three years.

"I did a number of things there, worked with students and in the library, and I created the intermural basketball program," he said. "It is nice to know that what I created is still going on there."

He left public education to pursue a law degree and a master's degree in tax law at Capital University. He taught tax law and business law in graduate business degree programs at Franklin University and Capital University.

"My main role if I'm elected to the board would be to reflect the values of the community in our educational program," Scott said. "As a lawyer in practice for nearly 10 years, I believe I have the analytical skills to reach sound decisions."

Scott served on the Worthington Board of Zoning Appeals and is a chairman of the Worthington Educational Foundation.

He said board members should address the district's report card rating, which dropped from "excellent" to "continuous improvement" after the district failed to meet Adequate Yearly Progress requirements.

"We have to address that quickly and correct it," he said. "I know that 20-some other districts will be in the same boat as Worthington next year, and even though the rating can be fairly meaningless, it can be important when people are trying to choose a school district."

School funding continues to be a challenge, Scott said.

"I believe Worthington needs to be proactive in setting the agenda on school funding and avoid a passive, reactive posture," he said. "We must actively lobby the General Assembly to be sure our local interests are advanced and protected.

"At the most fundamental level, I believe that creating a community in which we all want to live, work and play requires more than just showing up to community events and paying taxes," he said. "Serving my community on the school board is what I can do best to put that belief in action."