Congratulations to Arlene and Lucy

And thank you to Juan and Maya.
I hope that everyone who posts on the blog and who worked in the campaigns will do everything possible to help Lucy and Arlene accomplish what they articulated for the MMSD in their campaigns.

6 thoughts on “Congratulations to Arlene and Lucy”

  1. Arlene, Juan, Lucy and Maya,
    Thanks so much to each of you for devoting so much time and energy to this campaign! I believe that you’re all sincerely interested in the children of the district. I look forward to all of us continuing to pursue the issues that have been identified, really listening to each other and working together toward making the district one of the best for all kids.

  2. Congratulations to Lucy and Arlene, and thank you to Maya and Juan for running. This was a contest of issues, with lots of good discussions/debates about important education issues.

  3. Sorry, Ed, not supporting “what they articulated for the MMSD in their campaigns”. This isn’t about political capital (a false Bushism), other than moving good ideas forward on their own merits. Arlene Silveira and Lucy Mathiak will join a group of other board members, led by Carol Carstensen (a community treasure if there ever was one) – and their first goal will be to butt heads together a bit – away from the community frey and attention, and develop some new leadership and advocacy for the district. This challenge applies to Ruth Robarts as much as it does for the new members, for the quiet and thoughtful Shwaw Vang (who deserves more respect), as well as the fresh leader and upstart Johnny Winston. And, it’s not about canning them if they don’t get the job done – it’s about the job being done.
    Not all the progress they bring or the stalemates they participate in will come from their initiative, it will be framed largely out of our own respect for a larger mission and passion for public education and its role in our community. Big stuff – and big shoes. The point is – the biggest role is ours.
    I can’t help but mention the great contributions that Juan José Lopez has given Madison. He is larger than the schools and the community needs to retain him as the effective community leader and organizer (and friend) that he is. There is a sadness in Madison tonight – and a fear of disengagement and loss of hope for what Juan continually fought for. Juan reminded us tonight that he will serve out his term in fervent regard for the kids and staff that serve them. We are lucky to have a least a few more months of him on the school board. I pray that he will not give up, because, with him, are the connected hopes of thousands. I told him that, maybe, Madison will realize Juan’s great contributions over time, as they are continually reflected in the contributions of all those kids he inspired by steady, deliberate choices to improve their learning conditions.
    And, finally, we must remind ourselves that, in any school race, that the teachers and administrators sometimes take it on the chin. They watch closely how the community responds – they speculate on the feasibility of how their hopes and sweat equity will actuate learning – within the context of the quality of broader community support. If they see a continual erosion of support – maybe the sweat equity and creativity just doesn’t get put in. Sometimes, when we put the “winners” on our shoulders, we miss the whole point – sustaining and building on quality learning environments and conditions within Madison. This comes in literally thousands of hues – mixtures of experiences and interactions that our teachers imagine, build, and facilitate. So many hues… that it is sometimes invisible. We have to think very carefully how our decisions will affect not only teaching positions, but the quality of support and creative energies of the teachers that stick with us.
    Congratulations to all the candidates. All of them had nearly completely positive campaigns that advanced the level of discussion around education. Let’s be partners with them (and maybe this is your point, Ed) – rather than just praisers or distractors.

  4. I would like to thank Juan for his service on behalf of Madison as a School Board member. I’m hopeful this new board that begins the end of this month will continue to address education issues on behalf of all Madison’s children.
    Also, I would like to echo Marcia’s comment that “…all of us continuing to pursue the issues that have been identified, really listening to each other and working together toward making the district one of the best for all kids.”

  5. I, too, offer my congratulations and gratitude to all, especially Lucy, Maya, Arlene and Juan. It’s wonderful to live in a place where so many people care so much!
    Now, I look forward to an era of increased respectfulness and productivity on the Board, as well as a renewed spirit of collaboration — and yes, a continued community focus on the substantive issues that drove this campaign.

  6. Congratulations to Arlene and Lucy and a hearty thanks to Maya and Juan.
    Now comes the hard part–however, both Lucy and Arlene are definitely up to the task.
    We’re lucky to live in a community where there is talent and dedication to public education.

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