April 5th election night brought out much excitement and disappointments for our local. CMNEA was excited to have endorsed two outstanding candidates, Sarah Dubbert and Paul Rainsberger. Both candidates showed that they were willing to step up and help our school board grow by reaching further out into the community and be strong advocates for public education. Both had their passion to help our students. Paul wished to reach out to students who were on the career path and not only on the college path. Sarah wanted to reach out to working parents who need alternatives to the school communications and schedule so that more families may participate. Both candidates had great connections in the community to help our district reach these goals.
Our local also voted to support the 2016 Columbia Public School Bond and Levy. Our district is growing, and with this growth more is needed to educate ALL of our students. We need more teachers, curriculum supplies, supportive programs and buildings. In order to achieve these goals, we will need to attract the very best teacher colleagues to our district. Our current salaries are not reaching the final goal.
Throughout the month of March CMNEA members knocked on well over 1,000 doors to advocate for our students and our district. We spread the word with our families, friends and colleagues. We hosted our own forum and attended forums throughout Columbia to show our support for our candidates and our district bond/levy.
In the end, our district won huge with the election of the bond and levy. Thank you Columbia! Our negotiations team will return to the negotiation table this week to continue to bargain for salaries that will attract and retain the very best. Our bond will allow us to improve our older buildings and go on with plans to build a new elementary and middle school.
Sadly, our endorsed candidates to the school board did not win seats on the board, but they did attract positive attention because both Paul and Sarah raised important issues about the board. The community wants a board that communicates clearly, visits schools, looks for alternative ways to include and reach all families, and focus on students who are career ready. We thank Sarah and Paul for shining a light to these issues. It was an honor to work closely with them during these past months and wish each well in their future endeavors.
Congratulations to Jan Mees and Jim Whitt! The incumbents won their seats on the board, and already CMNEA is pleased with what we are observing. Mr. Whitt, serving his second term on the board as President sent us an email, indicating he will work closely with us. We find this very promising. We also watched in March, board members asking more questions for clarity and willing to take up an issue that was raised by President Kathy Steinhoff, for more discussion. This is good.
CMNEA will continue to work closely with the Columbia Public School Board and all those who wish to serve our district. Together, we WILL make Columbia Public Schools THE BEST district in the state.
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