BarbaraRush4HelenaSchoolBoard: Helena Home Town School Speech Part II

BarbaraRush4HelenaSchoolBoard: Helena Home Town School Speech Part II

REMINDER: School Board Elections are May 3rd. Many people do not even realize that they vote for the school board because it is separate from primary voting. The precincts and times when you can vote are also different than a regular election. This link is to the Helena School District website where you will find a PDF of all of the precinct locations. They will only be open from 12-8 on May 3. If you need assistance in locating your polling location, you can call Donna at 324-2044 or the County Elections Office at 447-8338. Legal Notices/Public Announcements www.helena.k12.mt.us

What are my qualifications?

I think a better question would be, "How am I any less qualified than the two incumbents?" As with any new position, there is a learning curve. I am not pretending to be the most knowledgeable person for the board. However, I promise that I can and will invest the time and effort that this position requires. From meetings to reading district materials or listening to public comment, I will be a dedicated and fair trustee.

Although the most important initials after my name are M.O.M., I also have a degree in Communications and Political Science. I understand the importance of communication, especially listening to my constituents and affording (in this case) parents a place at the table of their child's education. I will listen to parents and take suggestions to the board. My goal is to be the parent's voice. It makes sense to me to invest my time into such an honorable public office and I hope you will support me in this effort.

I am in the business of kids! I now have the opportunity to stay at home with my young children before they go to school. My oldest son will be entering kindergarten next year and that gives me a decided interest in the school system. I love children and as cliche as it sounds, they definitely are our future. One of the benefits of being a stay-at-home mom is that it provides me with flexibility and time, both of which I can devote to the School Board. I look forward to this.

What Started This?

As most of the Helena community is aware, the summer of 2010 brought with it controversy over the newly developed Health Curriculum. I, along with many other parents and community members, were concerned with several parts of the Health Curriculum as well as the process by which it was created and revised. My main concern (which still stands) is the lack of meaningful parental involvement. Parents were not involved in with the development nor with revision process. When it passed, despite the enormous amount of opponents, I knew it was time to get more involved.

I am a parent without fancy initials behind my name, but I figure the majority of parents are just that. I would like to be the parents voice for the Helena Community and I would love your support. I am going up against two incumbants, Aidan Myhre and Cherche Prezeau, both who voted FOR the new Heath Curriculum. Please put a parent on the board without an agenda!