Back to School Nights

Another week of campaigning has passed and I have enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many great people who care about the district and its success. I spent a couple of evenings with the parents, teachers, staff, administration and others at both Bella Vista High School’s and Starr King K-8’s Back to School Nights. I met a lot of people who are very passionate about their kids in the district whether it be a veteran Calculus teacher who has an impeccable track record for preparing her students for the AP tests and/or college, or the secretary who makes sure all the students are in the right place at the right time everyday, or the administrator who is concerned about test scores and its attendant funding or the parents who were sheparding through a newly minted and sanctioned athletic program. We have a strong supporting cast of characters in this district who will stop at no end in making sure that our students have a first rate education while they are in and even when they are outside of the classroom.
With the elections in November, you may be, as many people are, consumed by the large events in life and are not aware at the impact a school board can have on the community, especially in these tough economic times. Understandably, with the unrest in the world, there is some cognitive dissonance between importance of both an historic presidential election (no matter what side of the isle one sits, politically) and the results of a down-ticket school board election. When we are not personally engaged with those running for office, there is little motivation to vote for the people who are not campaigning on television every day. I know that I’ve abstained from voting for certain offices previously because I wasn’t sufficiently familiar or in agreement with a person’s stances on the issues.
I am optimistic that as you, with the rest of the public, see the enormity of the school district and the effect that a small board of 5 trustees will have on not only their children’s future, but on the future of the community, that you’ll be fully engaged in the process. One need not have a child in the district to know that responsible leadership at all levels, even to the most elemental slice of democracy—the school district—is essential to a functioning society. We should be concerned with the students we send from our schools, with and without diplomas. We cannot be worried about a global economy unless we have a thriving local community, and that starts with an educated populace who is willing to serve their neighbors for the entirety of their lives.
So, because I am the product of a good public education, and because I saw the miracles my mother worked in the schools where she volunteered my entire school life, and because I remember the profound impact that my teachers had on me, not only while I went to school with them, but even after I graduated college and spent some time teaching with them as an non-credentialed educational assistant, I am running for school board. It doesn’t get too much more complicated than that. I am a concerned and involved parent of two boys who would like to see a prosperous and vigorous school district and is willing to put his integrity on the line.
I hope this reason for running is acceptable. I hope you can see the passion I have for our kids in my eyes and believe that I have what it takes to be a good trustee. No matter what you choose, I hope that I can maintain your confidence and that it is articulated on your ballot as you go to the voting booth on November 4.