With great enthusiasm, I am seeking re-election for the Madison Board of Education, Seat 1.

It has been an honor to serve the community and district for the last 3 years (1 term), two of those years as Board president. When I ran for election in 2006, my focus was on improving communication and collaboration throughout the district while focusing on student achievement. One of my goals was to open school processes so the public has influence in shaping policies that affect them, creating more community buy-in for our school district and also leading to new, creative solutions to some of the challenges we face.

The election is during Spring break for MMSD. Every vote counts so please vote absentee if you are going to be out of town:

Madison:

Please request and carefully fill out and return an absentee ballot or simply go to the City Clerk's office and vote during regular office hours priory to election day (for forms and information visit: Absentee Voting

Fitchburg:

If you are requesting to vote absentee please download necessary forms and return either by mail or in person to City Hall at 5520 Lacy Rd. Fitchburg, WI. 53711

Application for Absentee Ballot Absentee Voting

Ballots are available approximately three weeks before each election.

Under my leadership we are communicating and collaborating in new and different ways. One example is the community-driven superintendent search process resulting in the hiring of Superintendent Nerad, a leader who believes community engagement is the cornerstone of a successful district. Another is the community-based strategic planning process that will begin this winter.

I have set an expectation of open communication and dialogue among and between board members, district administration and community-members, now occurring with greater frequency. As a result we passed two referendums, one to build a new school and one designed to preserve programming and staff.

Our focus continues to be on important issues such as closing the achievement gap while raising achievement levels for all children, issues that affect the educational environment such as the student code of conduct and expansion of safety and security resources in our schools.

Today there is more work that must be done which builds on the fine work that has occurred. We are embarking on a new Board-superintendent governance model and a community-based strategic planning process. Our goal - focusing on improving student achievement for all students. We have a new superintendent and two new board members who bring innovative ideas to the table. I believe that continuity in leadership is very important at this juncture for our district, thus my decision to seek re-election.

I am excited about the future for our students. I have the skills, energy, commitment and passion needed to move this district forward. I ask for your support and financial contribution so I can continue my positive leadership role in working with the Board, the superintendent and the community. I pledge to work with each of you to keep the focus on our most important resource, our children.

Best regards, Arlene