“There is no power as a board member, the only power is when we’re acting collectively, not individually,” Marietta City Schools board member Russ Garrison said last week.

It is an important sentiment for everyone to bear in mind after a meeting that included the introduction of a new board member and a working session that brought together the board with members of the community.

With the beginning of a new school year, the Marietta City Schools Board of Education has a fantastic opportunity to start fresh. New board member, new superintendent, new high school principal — there is room for a great deal of progress.

“(Jeffrey) Hollister is deeply rooted in the community, and he represents a demographic that is really important to us on the board,” Board President Cody Parman said of the latest appointee.

Hollister is a prominent business owner; a former attorney; well-known to Mariettans and Ohioans (described at one point by the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association as “Ohio’s first first-guy”); a father, grandfather and great-grandfather; and already knows what it takes to serve on this board of education, having done so from 1976 to 1989.

He does, indeed, bring a lot to the table.

So, when he says “I promise you to give the best that I possibly can for the students of this school district,” Hollister knows that’s no small vow.

Combine that with the energy sure to accompany Superintendent Mary Schaeffer and MHS Principal Garrett Davis, and the renewed commitment to communication and collaboration inspired by the working session, and there could be wonderful things in store for Marietta students.

We must hope, then, that the energy and intention of last week’s session is sustained for this school year (and beyond). Our kids deserve that and much more.