Thursday, April 24, 2008

First things first--a little more about me

(Please note: I leave this post at the top of my blog so that new visitors can easily see this information about me and my candidacy. Thanks to return visitors for their understanding!)

I'm interested in hearing from Lebanon community members, but I want you to know something about me as well. So here's some basic information:

I grew up in a family of seven children in Michigan. I earned a B.A. at the University of Notre Dame, and an M.A. in English Literature at IU Bloomington.

Steve Wornhoff and I married in 1992. (He didn't change his name when we married!) Our daughters Becky, Nina and Nora Wornhoff attend Lebanon schools—next year they will be students at LHS, LMS, and Central Elementary respectively. Steve works as the Director of Special Education for a co-op serving 7 school corporations in Hamilton, Boone and Madison counties. He was formerly the director of the co-op that serves Lebanon and 6 other districts in Boone, Clinton and Hendricks counties.

My work experience includes being an admissions counselor at Notre Dame, an assistant director of admissions for the IU Kelley School MBA program, an instructor and academic advisor at IU Bloomington, and executive director of the Frankfort Education Foundation.
Most recently I worked for nearly four years as copy editor and occasional columnist at The Lebanon Reporter.

Since moving to Lebanon in 2003, my family has done its best to become contributing members of this community. We like it here and we plan to stay, so we do what we can to make Lebanon a better place to live and work.

Here's some of my community involvement:

  • President (2006-'07 and '07-'08) and vice-president ('05-'06), Central Elementary PTO
  • Classroom volunteer for reading and poetry, LMS and Central Elementary
  • Served on committees to interview candidates for LCSC Curriculum Director (2006) and LHS Principal (2007)
  • Member of corporation broad-based plan committee since 2004
  • Parent liaison to Central Indiana Education Service Center since 2006
  • Member of School Improvement Team at Central Elementary, 2006-present
  • Participated in LHS action group on weighted grades, 2006-'07
  • Board member and officer, Lebanon Swim Club, 2004-present
  • Cantor and Sunday school teacher, St. Joseph’s Church
  • Cast member, Lebanon Follies
  • Back to the Fifties Committee

Why run for the Lebanon school board?

I want to have a positive impact in Lebanon, and the schools are the public issue I care about most. As a board member, my goal will be excellent schools for all students. I promise I will:

  • Listen to LCSC constituents
  • Prepare for and attend meetings faithfully
  • Spend time in LCSC buildings and facilities
  • Be available to the public to answer questions and provide information
  • Promote transparency by communicating with the public through the corporation Web site, newsletters, or regular columns
  • Be a careful steward of corporation finances and facilities.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The Home Stretch

The campaign is now in its final weeks! Some people have voted already, and most of you will go to the polls on May 6.

Remember how the school board races work:
  • All voters in the Lebanon school corporation boundaries vote for all seats. Myself, Michael Burtron, John Rice and Shane Conner are running for the two City of Lebanon seats; Dave Herr is running unopposed for the Perry Township seat. Michael Burtron and I have teamed up in this campaign--we believe we're the two most qualified candidates for the city seats.
Why should you vote for me? I'm prepared, and I'm passionate about education.

I've been interested in the school board for a long time. I have prepared by attending school board meetings regularly--I've attended 12-15 meetings in the last few years, and all of them since January. I've also met with principals in the LCSC to learn about their schools, talked with parents and teachers, and kept abreast of legislative developments that will affect the schools. My service to the schools as PTO president, classroom volunteer, and as a member of several school-related committees has given me a broad perspective on issues relating to the schools. I have the time and passion to commit to being an excellent board member, and that's the standard I'll set for myself.

While there's no "hot-button" issue in this school board election, there will be some serious challenges coming before the board in the next few years. The most difficult issues are sometimes the ones you don't see coming. I believe I have the judgment, temperament, and preparation to deal with these situations as they arise. And I will work with my colleagues to arrive at decisions that are best for students and the larger community. I hope you'll support me with your vote.

As always, feel free to contact me at the e-mail address on the right with questions, suggestions, or comments. Thank you for reading, and for your interest in the Lebanon schools.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Coming up like daffodils

It's 30 days until the May 6 election, and the first day yard signs are allowed in Lebanon. So my family and I drove around town today "planting" yellow and black yard signs. If you have one--thank you for your support! If you'd like one, e-mail me at the address to the right and I'll bring one over.

Remember, if you want to vote in the May 6 election, you must be registered by Monday, April 7. Call the Boone County Clerk's office at 482-3510 for more information. Absentee voting will be conducted April 7 - 28, and there is also voting at some satellite locations. Call the Clerk's office for details.

Enjoy the lovely spring days, when we're lucky enough to get one. Thank you for reading.