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Health & Fitness

Leadership Means the Ability to Visualize Great Improvements

District 26 needs leadership.

Argue for your limitations and they are yours. If everyone thinks something is impossible, no one will attempt it. This is the situation we have in District 26. Not one of the other candidates for District 26 School Board thinks it is even possible to bring back foreign language or the other so-called "specials" this fall.

Skin in the Game

Brinig back "specials" this fall should be investigated by someone passionate about this shortcoming in our schools. Someone who has a child attending Cary Junior High. Someone with skin in the game. This year, I worked with Vice Principal to get Cary Junior High started with a math team. I am passionate about children having the opportunity to participate in math contests because I was state champion for five years in Illinois.

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We Can Do It

I believe that we have not tried hard enough. The district is recovering, but at an anemic pace. I believe in the teachers and the students. I believe we have a responsibility to give our students the ability to have an educational experience with the same offerings as when I attended junior high 35 years ago. I believe that the current board has failed.

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Current Board Has Not Served the Community

The current board has tried but failed to make the necessary cuts. Failed to inspire the teachers and the administration. Failed to lead. Failed to be creative about fixing the district's problems. None of the incumbents should be re-elected. I have gone door to door speaking with teachers, parents, and members of the Cary community. The current board does not acknowledge --

We Are On the Same Team

The district brought in a consultant who tried to communicate this message, but not enough participants were listening. I am a great listener and have over two decades of experience as a consultant where I often have to negotiate a solution between factions of employees. It is hard work to find common ground. It is harder work when no one is pulling in the right direction. Cary needs to have someone who will be an advocate for the students, for the teachers, for the community. Because, in the end

A Strong School District is Good for the Community

Even if you don't have any students in D26, you want it to excel. If it does not, your property values will fall, and you will feel this most severely if you need to sell your house. So everyone benefits from a healthy school district. No one thinks that Cary Junior High should dismiss students at 1:30PM, but that was on the table a few years ago. Only vocal community disapproval kept this from becoming reality.

Pledge the the District 26 Community

If elected, I will serve out my four year term and I will not run again. I believe in community service, but giving others a chance. I will listen to anyone in the District 26 community about their concerns for this school district. I will work tirelessly to improve District 26, not just to the point of being adequate, but to excellence. The biggest challenge is restoring the spirit of optimism to our schools, students, faculty, staff, administration and community. If elected I will be the voice crying in the wilderness, we can do better!

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