We are on the final lap of our campaign trail. As I reflect on the journey from our first team planning meeting to our last coffee at By the Book, I can see an A, a B and a C emerge:
Attitude. There is an attitude of the patrons in the Liberty Schools that we have excellent schools. At our coffee last night, a wise gentleman said, “It really doesn’t make any difference which school you attend in Liberty. They are all good!” At the same time, there is the recognition that we must work together to keep the district at its current level of excellence (and it will not be easy).
Believe! I believe the expectation of continuing the pattern of excellence is entirely possible. One of the challenges of which I (and the community) are vividly aware managing the finances in a way that will result in the best for all students in the district. We can do it together. I’m extremely excited about brainstorming how to put in place collaborative decision-making processes that will not only inform all the stakeholders but also let them have meaningful input.
Collaboration! If we couple collaborative decision-making with clear communication, undergirded with transparency, integrity and full disclosure we have a great foundation for continuing the excellence in education that we currently experience.
Please remember to vote on April 7th...I appreciate your support!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
What's on the people's minds?
We have had phenomenal attendance at our coffees. Even more exciting is that the comments coming from each group reflect a positive outlook for the future of the Liberty School District.
Two questions I've consistently gotten at the coffees...
1. How can we continue the level of excellence as we face an increase in enrollment and a decrease in financial resources?
My first response is: “Great question, and it will not be easy to solve!” One solution I envision is to closely analyze the way we are delivering services and ensuring it is as efficient as possible. To collaborate with all stakeholders would be an exciting endeavor that could result in substantial savings. Additionally, we must never lose sight of running every decision through the filter of "Kids First" when making the tough budget decisions.
2. How can we continue to have small student-to-teacher ratio?
As one patron so aptly said, "Let’s think outside the box. There must be something that we can do." I totally agree with her. Solving this issue is clearly one of my distinct priorities. With the philosophical premise of "Kids First," we cannot go wrong. On every budget decision we make, we must consistently keep first and foremost in our minds the question….What about class sizes?
The questions above give you a feel of the heartbeat of some of the stakeholders in the Liberty School District. I look forward to the possibility of collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure the Liberty School District remains a district of excellence.
If you'd like to attend a coffee, you can see the dates and RSVP at www.charlenearmitage.com/coffee.html.
Two questions I've consistently gotten at the coffees...
1. How can we continue the level of excellence as we face an increase in enrollment and a decrease in financial resources?
My first response is: “Great question, and it will not be easy to solve!” One solution I envision is to closely analyze the way we are delivering services and ensuring it is as efficient as possible. To collaborate with all stakeholders would be an exciting endeavor that could result in substantial savings. Additionally, we must never lose sight of running every decision through the filter of "Kids First" when making the tough budget decisions.
2. How can we continue to have small student-to-teacher ratio?
As one patron so aptly said, "Let’s think outside the box. There must be something that we can do." I totally agree with her. Solving this issue is clearly one of my distinct priorities. With the philosophical premise of "Kids First," we cannot go wrong. On every budget decision we make, we must consistently keep first and foremost in our minds the question….What about class sizes?
The questions above give you a feel of the heartbeat of some of the stakeholders in the Liberty School District. I look forward to the possibility of collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure the Liberty School District remains a district of excellence.
If you'd like to attend a coffee, you can see the dates and RSVP at www.charlenearmitage.com/coffee.html.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Our first community coffee was a success!
Our first community coffee accomplished exactly what we had hoped---opportunity for guests who had never met me to get acquainted with me, ask great questions, share concerns and give me the forum to share my vision for the Liberty School Board. If you'd like to attend a coffee, be sure to go to www.charlenearmitage.com/coffee.html and sign up for one of the future coffees.
I mentioned in a recent blog my willingness to respond to challenges within the framework of collaboration. Additionally, I am very focused on communicating with clarity. One very easy way to remember three key components of myleadership style is
Transparency
Integrity
Full Disclosure
(or as I like to remember it, "TIF.")
These characteristics will be a great fit for the Liberty School Board. You can find additional information about my experience at http://www.charlenearmitage.com/.
Remember… the deadline to register to vote is March 11, and if you will be out of town on April l, 7, be sure to vote absentee. Visit www.charlenearmitage.com/voterinfo.html for links to more information.
I mentioned in a recent blog my willingness to respond to challenges within the framework of collaboration. Additionally, I am very focused on communicating with clarity. One very easy way to remember three key components of myleadership style is
Transparency
Integrity
Full Disclosure
(or as I like to remember it, "TIF.")
These characteristics will be a great fit for the Liberty School Board. You can find additional information about my experience at http://www.charlenearmitage.com/.
Remember… the deadline to register to vote is March 11, and if you will be out of town on April l, 7, be sure to vote absentee. Visit www.charlenearmitage.com/voterinfo.html for links to more information.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Why am I running?
As I consider the opportunities I would have as a potential school board member, three words come to my mind: challenges, collaboration and courage.
Frequently I am asked the question “Why do you want to run for the school board?” I’m clearly aware of the challenges we face with growth in population and the financial needs with which we must deal and come up with creative solutions. We can face those challenges with confidence if we function within the framework of collaboration. The quote, "we don’t have it all together, but together, we have it all" is reflective of what we must have to move forward. Both the challenges and collaboration will take courage. I have it!
I invite you to sign up for one of the coffees listed on my website at charlenearmitage.com/coffee.html. I would enjoy getting to know you and sharing the excitement I have to serve our community as a member of the Liberty School Board.
Remember, April 7, which is election day is during Liberty's Spring Break. If you plan to be out of town, be sure to vote early by absentee ballot. Get more information and a ballot request form here.
Frequently I am asked the question “Why do you want to run for the school board?” I’m clearly aware of the challenges we face with growth in population and the financial needs with which we must deal and come up with creative solutions. We can face those challenges with confidence if we function within the framework of collaboration. The quote, "we don’t have it all together, but together, we have it all" is reflective of what we must have to move forward. Both the challenges and collaboration will take courage. I have it!
I invite you to sign up for one of the coffees listed on my website at charlenearmitage.com/coffee.html. I would enjoy getting to know you and sharing the excitement I have to serve our community as a member of the Liberty School Board.
Remember, April 7, which is election day is during Liberty's Spring Break. If you plan to be out of town, be sure to vote early by absentee ballot. Get more information and a ballot request form here.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Two words...
Two words describe our experiences of the last few days: momentum and consensus!
Momentum continues to build as the campaign team focuses on making certain every Liberty School District patron is aware of my vision and passion to make a difference in the life of each student in the district.
Additionally, there is 100% consensus within the team that we must give the stakeholders a variety of opportunities to personally visit with me, ask questions and gain clarity on my vision for the district. Be sure to visit charlenearmitage.com to learn more about the opportunities and my vision.
Momentum continues to build as the campaign team focuses on making certain every Liberty School District patron is aware of my vision and passion to make a difference in the life of each student in the district.
Additionally, there is 100% consensus within the team that we must give the stakeholders a variety of opportunities to personally visit with me, ask questions and gain clarity on my vision for the district. Be sure to visit charlenearmitage.com to learn more about the opportunities and my vision.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Welcome to my blog!
Hello and welcome! Thank you for visiting my blog. I look forward to using this blog to connect with you and create a space for dialogue as I run for Liberty School Board.
I’ll be updating the blog a couple of times each week, going into deeper explanation of my vision for the Liberty school district and sharing experiences I have along the way. I encourage you to use the “comments” area to ask questions or leave your thoughts and to forward this blog to your friends who have an interest in the future of the Liberty school district.
Also, if you haven’t already, visit http://www.charlenearmitage.com/ for more information about me and more opportunities we have to connect during the campaign.
Have a great day!
I’ll be updating the blog a couple of times each week, going into deeper explanation of my vision for the Liberty school district and sharing experiences I have along the way. I encourage you to use the “comments” area to ask questions or leave your thoughts and to forward this blog to your friends who have an interest in the future of the Liberty school district.
Also, if you haven’t already, visit http://www.charlenearmitage.com/ for more information about me and more opportunities we have to connect during the campaign.
Have a great day!
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