Closing Statement from League of Women Voter's Forum

By Annette Easton

This paper provides my closing statement made during the League of Women Voter's candidate forum held at Ashley Falls School.

There are legitimate concerns about how this district is being managed, and we cannot continue to dismiss those concerns, or those who are willing to raise them.

School board trustees are elected public officials charged with the ultimate responsibility of overseeing our school district. It is my obligation to you to raise questions about proposed district policy, to analyze recommendations, and to ensure that when a vote is cast, the board has considered both short and long term impacts of a decision. But to be effective in this effort I need the support of other board members, and that is why I am running with Katherine White and Steven McDowell. We share a vision for a school board that won't be complacent.

Asking board members to do the job to which they were elected is not radical change -- it is not bad for the district. I am committed to being part of a board that will take the lead in moving our district towards a culture of transparency of data, of fully analyzing decisions, of respectful debate on issues, and of true collaboration in arriving at solutions.

Your vote on November 7th is an important choice. You can choose to create a school board that will work with you and for you, or one that will maintain the status quo. You can choose a school board that will have the fiscal experience to lead the district into the future, or one that will continue to accept staff recommendations with little detail or analysis. You can choose to return the focus of our district to developing and providing excellent educational programs by electing a school board that will provide Leadership for a Change.

Thank you for your consideration. I would be honored to earn your vote.