Candidate for
School Director; Rose Tree Media School District

I'm Jim Coyne and a candidate for the Rose Tree Media Board of School Directors. I've lived in Middletown Township for close to eight years now with my wife, Kelly, and daughters Katie and Gwen. I'm an active member of Lima United Methodist Church. My professional experience consists of more than 25 years in corporate communications-- including the last 19 with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals where I've worked in sales, internal communications, public relations and most recently in community relations. Whether it's managing people or solving problems, I take a collaborative approach to reaching workable and fair solutions.

That's a brief biographical sketch of who I am, but why am I willing to work hard to earn your vote and even harder as a school board member? I'm motivated as an engaged parent and resident and out of neighborly regard for others. I'm invested in helping a very good Rose Tree Media School District become even better and, in the process, contributing to a stronger community we all can be happy and proud to call home.

Serving as one of the Indian Lane representatives on the Superintendent's Advisory Board for the past two years has helped me gain a keen appreciation of issues and viewpoints at both the school building and district levels. It's also revealed some opportunities for improvement in terms greater transparency and more open communications between school board members and school staff, parents and the estimated 70% or more of Rose Tree Media residents without children in district schools.

Transparency may seem like a vague political campaign theme until you consider the very difficult decisions this school board will be making in a district with an operating budget of more than $81 million.

Look, I don't want to buck the system, I want to bring about meaningful changes within it and work others for the benefit of students--first and foremost-- while balancing the desires and expectations of grown-ups who essentially are the official sponsors of high quality education in Rose Tree Media. But, that doesn't mean I'll shy away from asking tough, perhaps inconvenient, questions.

My one-on-one conversations coupled with many opportunities to observe school board members in action reinforces an impression that each individual is fundamentally decent, committed and hard working. Contrast this with the fact that for far too long the composition of this presumably bi-partisan elective school board has been heavily influenced by the Republican Party. Sure, political parties have the job of endorsing good candidates. But, political machines shouldn't determine who actually serves.

When the time comes to vote regardless of any party affiliation you may have, I hope you will vote for Jim Coyne, Janet Lis and John Nee for Rose Tree Media School Board. This year, the candidate choices are strong and the stakes are high. Thanks very much for your consideration and support in the May 17th primary and November 8th general elections.