In just a few weeks, new School Directors will be named in a very important general election. For Upper Adams School District, my name will appear on the ballot along with four other candidates whom I highly recommend. But first I want to acknowledge the dedication and service of three directors who have chosen not to seek re-election: Sue Crouse, Jim Lady and Gerald Walmer. These leaders have given collectively just shy of 20 years of service to our District. They have spent countless hours doing what was best for our students. I am so very grateful for their experience, their collective wisdom, and the historical perspective they brought to our board.
Your ballot on November 4 will show 7 names for 4 spots on our Board. I humbly ask for your support for myself and for 3 of the following names: Rachel Elliot, Deb Steckler, Eric Markle and/or John Lindemulder. Each has children and/or grandchildren in our District and has been attending Board meetings and school sponsored events. They will bring energy, a positive spirit, a concern for financial responsibility, and a willingness to undertake the massive learning curve to become a good Director. Most importantly, they will come prepared to do what is best for the students of our district.
After the last election, a new majority brought their inexperience as school directors and a controversial agenda to the Board resulting in unnecessary spending of your tax dollars on excessive legal fees, turmoil among our staff, and the loss of a million-dollar donation to the district. The board has also invested excessive time on a controversial, two-year debate trying to rework a policy on stricter guidelines for books when the original policy – challenged only once in 22 years – already placed the control for student reading in the hands of parents and guardians.
Upper Adams is a remarkable, small rural school district with dedicated administration, teachers, and staff. The district has been a leader in our region with innovations for all-day kindergarten, the early introduction of computers, the addition of Vo-Tech educational opportunities for students, and excellence in both academics and extracurricular activities. Please consider casting your vote for the community-minded leaders I mentioned above. They will carry our district’s excellence forward without any predetermined agenda other than focusing on what is best for our students and our community.
With my sincere thanks,
Kay Hollabaugh