[Mpls] Audrey Johnson is running for re-election to the Board of Education

[Audrey Johnson]

Hello list members.  I wanted to announce to you all that I am running for re-election to the Minneapolis Public Schools.  This is a shorten term, normally the term would run 4 years.  The only election held in 1999 was school board and the turnout was dismal.  This is a good opportunity to encourage more community residents to vote for school board positions.   In my 2 years and 2 months, I have been a strong advocate for the educational needs of students.  I have worked on needed, meaningful reforms such as the transformation of the High Schools to small learning centers, the attendance policy, the clarification of outcomes for the district and the importance of good professional development for teachers, to name a few.   One of the problems many school boards face is in understanding what the role of the board member and the board is in relationship to the community and the district.  One board member working alone can accomplish very little.  The strength of any good board is in it's ability to work together, and to resist the urge to micro manage.    It is the role of the board to set outcomes, to monitor progress towards those outcomes, to link to the community, to understand trends, values and develop a vision for the direction of the district.  The Board hires one person, that is the Superintendent.  The Board sets the tone and direction, the Superintendent implements the practices and administers the operation of the district.   Being a board member is about checking one's ego at the door and working together as a Board with the Superintendent to shape the public education system for the community now and to the future.     I helped bring about the changes to the operation of the board so that we could move on to the issues we need to address as a board.   We are facing several challenges, both internally and externally.  It takes focus, understanding, reasoning and an analytic ability to perform the duties of a Board member.   I have the experience necessary to help set the course and to work with the community.   My husband and I have 2 children in middle school.  Being a parent of children in our schools gives a very valuable added understanding of the many challenges and the many benefits of the public education system.    I am honored to have the opportunity to act as a trustee of the public education system.  I thank you for your support and look forward to continued opportunities to advocate for our children and the importance of serving the educational needs for all our students.   Respectfully submitted,   Audrey Johnson Minneapolis School Board Member 10th ward