LINN-MAR NELSON: Putting our students first

My goal as a Linn-Mar Board member will be to put students first. As a candidate, I bring the perspective of a parent, teacher, and community leader. I am the parent of a Linn-Mar graduate. Having those experiences helped me understand the strengths and challenges within the schools. Recently I retired after forty years as a Linn-Mar teacher. Being an experienced teacher, I bring knowledge of the districts past, current practices, and an understanding of where we are headed. My experience also extends to working within community organizations. I am on the Sunrise Rotary Board and past president and member of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Eastern Iowa. As a Cedar Rapids Jaycee, I served as vice president, chaired the first Juvenile Diabetes Walk-A-Thon in Cedar Rapids, and co-chaired the Eastern Iowa Band Festival. All of these experiences have helped to form my present perspective as a candidate.

I believe school board decisions should always put students first. I will ask the tough questions to create discussions beginning with why and ending in ways in which the solution is best for students. The decisions will ensure we prepare students for their lives after graduation. This preparation should include advanced placement and vocational courses. This wide-range of course work would differentiate for all students. We must prepare our students for competing in a global workplace, while creating successful citizens to accomplish their chosen endeavors. With these objectives, we will put our students first.

I know the importance of consensus building. As a Linn-Mar educator and board member of numerous organizations, I understand the need to collaborate. Everyone should openly contribute information and elaborate upon his or her point of view. This is not to say that I will always agree with the consensus, but I will support the decision to move forward.

Communication is key to being successful. I believe transparency is necessary to explain why, how, and when an action is being taken. The information should be disseminated in places like our website, Facebook page, and newspaper. I believe we need to listen to suggestions from our constituents and consider their thoughts when making decisions. We must continually evaluate our effectiveness to communicate. Communication is key. We must make sure communication is clear, concise, and transparent.

' More information: (319) 350-7430; www.facebook.com/SondraNelsonForProgress