We will stand united with our city leaders. For too long, abandoned and vacant school buildings have littered our neighborhoods. The blight and disinvestment they bring casts a shadow not only on our communities, but also on the academic prospects of the students within them. When we stand united with our city and elected leaders, we will create Requests For Proposal for the redevelopment of each vacant building in the school district's care. Read More >>

We will stand united with our higher education and non-profit leaders. This is a valuable effort that is already underway. Reform efforts are coming online in partnership with these sectors -- and we will monitor for and expect results. In addition, no longer will be the day where college preparation is available for this student but not that student, educational achievement available for this student but not that student. Within four years, college preparation curriculum will be available to all students. This is what is possible through unity with our higher education and non-profit partners. Read More >>

We will stand united with our political leaders. It has long been that many organizations and Political Action Committees have screened candidates for municipal office but not for school board races. This vetting process is a critical public accountability mechanism and through this campaign, we will urge all organizations and Political Action Committees that screen or endorse for municipal office to do so for school board candidates as well. This higher level of accountability will promote civility, increase financial stewardship and create more community ownership in the affairs of our district. Read More >>

We will stand united with our teaching professionals. Our teachers are dedicated, competent professionals and are worthy of our support. And they will have it -- in the form of additional professional development opportunities, particularly concerning discipline and classroom management. Our teachers have spoken and we will listen.

We will stand united with our district administrators. For too long we have been unaccredited or provisionally accredited. Today we hold five of fourteen state accreditation benchmarks. To be accredited, we need nine. Within four years, we will have nine and our district will re-earn full accreditation. During this process, it is the role of the board to set policy and then hire/support/fire the superintendent as necessary based on their capacity to perform. Read More >>

We will stand united with our students and their families. The time has come to tap fully into the potential of our students and their families as agents in our district's transformation. We will benefit from the collective wisdom of our students by adding a student advisor as an ex oficio member of the school board. And we will connect with our students families by pursuing every possible avenue of relationship building between our parents and teachers -- up to and including home visits.

We will stand united with our clergy and business leaders. We know that the more caring, adult relationships that our children have, the more likely their educational achievement. In partnership with faith and business communities, we will create a matching program where principals identify their needs and focus and where clergy and business leaders can then partner with specific schools based on the time and talents of their parishioners and employees. We will streamline this process so that it is as effortless as possible while protecting the interests of our children. When we are unified with our faith and business leaders, we will form a net of caring relationships through which our children will not fall.

We will stand united with our neighborhood leaders. Soon we will begin the path towards neighborhood schools. Although that path is wraught with potential pitfalls, when we are united, these are pitfalls that can be controlled for. The day will soon come again when children ride their bikes to school under the watchful gaze of their elders. Where parents walk with their kids to the school near their home. Where neighborhood associations always have representatives at School Advisory Council meetings. Where school leaders know that when they put forth the call for support from the neighborhood, the call will be answered. Collectively, these opportunities will further strengthen the safety net for our children and, in so doing, will contribute to their educational achievement. This is what will be possible when we stand in unity with our neighborhood leaders.