Even in a community of achievers, Charlie Wilson's resume stands out.

He graduated with honors with degrees in business and accounting from the University of Kansas, received his law degree summa cum laude from New York University, clerked for a federal district judge, practiced labor law in New York City for five years, and for the past 22 years taught at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

But as impressive as those credentials may be, it is probably his background growing up poor in rural Kansas, and as the father of two boys who went all the way through the Worthington schools, that give him an unusual perspective as a member of the Worthington Board of Education.

Wilson is the only incumbent seeking election this November. He was appointed to the board last February to replace Gary Tyack, who resigned.

He never expected to serve on the board. Even after about 75 people called and encouraged him to apply, he was hesitant.

It was his sons who changed his mind.

His son, Geoff Buller, called from Yale, where he is a junior studying history and American studies.

Then, son Richard Wilson called from Washington, D.C., where he teaches third grade. Richard Wilson graduated from Amherst.

Both are thankful for the education they received in Worthington. Both were well prepared to enter competitive colleges. In many cases, they had received better educations than those who attended expensive prep schools, Charlie Wilson said.

"I feel I owe the district something for my kids' education," he said.

His own life illustrates the importance of education.

Neither of his parents finished high school, and the family was poor.

Wilson remembers the humiliation of being the only boy in his class not in Cub Scouts, because his parents could not afford to buy the uniform, and waiting until the other students had eaten lunch, to see if there were leftovers for the kids who had no lunch money.

Growing up needy gives him an unusual perspective, he said.

At a recent meeting, he questioned the "pay-to-play" policy that charges students to participate in school activities. He believes some are being left out because they cannot afford the fees.

He was not disappointed with the recent state report card that showed the district needs to focus more on students with disabilities and those for whom English is a second language.

"I provide a perspective of kids who don't have everything," he said.

He was also the only student from his high school to get a college scholarship.

He went to junior college on a basketball scholarship, then learned a hard lesson.

"The world is full of great basketball players, and I'm not one of them," he said.

After junior college, he gave up basketball, transferred to the state university, and excelled academically. He could have attended law school at Harvard, Yale, or Stanford, but opted for NYU.

After starting his career in New York, Wilson and his wife moved to Columbus, where he accepted a teaching position at the OSU law school. They moved to Worthington 22 years ago, in time for both sons to begin their educations in a system that seemed to be "the best match for us."

He points out that he is the only candidate, and the only board member, whose children have already gone completely through the system.

"I'm the new person on the board, but I've been around longer than anyone," he said.

Wilson said his background in accounting has been valuable in interpreting budget documents as a board member. He not only understands school finance, but enjoys reading the many pages of financial information available to the board.

"I never consider preparing for a board meeting as drudgery," he said. "It has just been a wonderful experience."