“So how’s the levy looking? Is it going to pass?” Do you know how many people asked me that today? Maybe 15. Maybe more. It’s so great! People want this thing passed and want to see our district moving forward.
Pretty much everybody I run into right now asks me some form of this question. And I mean everybody. Everybody from parents and teachers to grandparents and Starbucks’ employees. Old neighbors and new neighbors. Close friends and people I don’t know. If you think I’m kidding, listen to this one. Today, I had a woman at the Skyline in Oakley, a woman I didn’t know, ask me if my “For on the 4th” button was for the Mariemont levy. I said, “Yes, how did you know that?” Turns out she has family who teaches in our district. And do you know what she asked me before I left? “How’s it looking? Is it going to pass?”
And the kids…wow! They’re the best. For them, it’s so simple. You support them or you don’t. You help their schools or you don’t. Sometimes I think they get it more than the rest of us. They are fired up about it and surprisingly knowledgeable on the issue. Seriously, I can’t tell you the number of kids who’ve asked me about the levy and really understand what is going to happen for them if it passes and the losses they will experience if it doesn’t.
So, how do I answer the “how’s the levy looking” question? It’s very simple. Every vote is going to count. Every single one. So, you must vote. Period. This isn’t complicated. This is it. Vote. And when it passes on May 4th, Mariemont is going to be “looking” great!
“For” on the 4th!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
15 Days Until the Vote
Wow. I can’t believe this is all over in 15 days. We’re in the final stretch!
It’s funny when I think back over the past few months about how people’s levy questions to me have changed. First, I was being asked why somebody should vote for this. Then, for explanations of the “nuts and bolts” details of school funding, levy logic and the difference between a bond issue and an operating levy. You guys know the residents in our community are smart. People were getting educated. About a month ago, the questions changed to, “Is this going to pass?” usually asked with a pretty concerned tone. This was after people had an understanding of the academic cuts and athletic program changes that were coming if this didn’t pass. People began to understand the effect this would have on our kids and community. Now they understand the opportunity and essential timing of this issue. So, here’s the best part, now I’m not getting questions when I’m picking my kids up at school or at their soccer games, I’m getting statements. “This has to pass.” “We need this to pass.” “People understand why this needs to pass.” “Let me know how I can help get this passed.” It’s awesome. People get it. However…
The only way this passes is if you vote. It is that simple. On May 4th, all the yard signs and work of the past months don’t count. Your vote counts. Period. Yard signs don’t vote. Campaign events don’t vote. Thinking Paul Imhoff is a great superintendent doesn’t count at the polls. But your vote does. If you aren’t voting by mail, stop reading this right now and go mark Tuesday, May 4th on your calendar and write “VOTE” in big red letters…I’ll wait…
Did you do it? Good! Thanks! Now, make that your top priority of the day on May 4th. Make it count – for the kids and the community.
It’s funny when I think back over the past few months about how people’s levy questions to me have changed. First, I was being asked why somebody should vote for this. Then, for explanations of the “nuts and bolts” details of school funding, levy logic and the difference between a bond issue and an operating levy. You guys know the residents in our community are smart. People were getting educated. About a month ago, the questions changed to, “Is this going to pass?” usually asked with a pretty concerned tone. This was after people had an understanding of the academic cuts and athletic program changes that were coming if this didn’t pass. People began to understand the effect this would have on our kids and community. Now they understand the opportunity and essential timing of this issue. So, here’s the best part, now I’m not getting questions when I’m picking my kids up at school or at their soccer games, I’m getting statements. “This has to pass.” “We need this to pass.” “People understand why this needs to pass.” “Let me know how I can help get this passed.” It’s awesome. People get it. However…
The only way this passes is if you vote. It is that simple. On May 4th, all the yard signs and work of the past months don’t count. Your vote counts. Period. Yard signs don’t vote. Campaign events don’t vote. Thinking Paul Imhoff is a great superintendent doesn’t count at the polls. But your vote does. If you aren’t voting by mail, stop reading this right now and go mark Tuesday, May 4th on your calendar and write “VOTE” in big red letters…I’ll wait…
Did you do it? Good! Thanks! Now, make that your top priority of the day on May 4th. Make it count – for the kids and the community.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
21 Days Until the Vote
You know that saying “You don’t know what you’re missing?” That sums up my “See for Yourself” experience this past weekend. I knew our school buildings were in trouble, but I had no idea what we were missing. And by “we” I mean all of us. Not just my kids, not just your kids, but the entire community.
I’m not somebody who likes comparing myself with others (or comparing my kids, my car, certainly not the cleanliness of my car – or the cleanliness of my kids for that matter). But that was the opportunity we as a community were provided with this past weekend. For me it had nothing to do with comparing Mariemont to Madeira. For me, it was about seeing what a new school has that contributes to a better learning environment vs. what my kids are experiencing in their learning environment. This was not a “Madeira is better than Mariemont” or vice versa scenario.
I toured both Mariemont Elementary and Madeira Elementary. It was eye opening. Actually it was more than that, it was amazing. The idea that what Madeira has given their kids and community is right at our fingertips is so exciting. But, I’ve gotten ahead of my self.
Look, I know Mariemont Elementary. My three boys are in that school so I’ve spent my fair share in those halls, classrooms, and even bathrooms. There’s no question I have a soft spot in my heart for that place. However, after seeing Madeira Elementary, my soft spot sort of turned into a sad spot. We can and should be giving our kids such a better learning environment that it’s, well, amazing we’re not.
Madeira Elementary is filled with natural light, visible in every area possible; it was both bright and energizing. If you don’t believe me, think about how you feel when the sun pops out after several gray and rainy days. As I walked around the school and looked in the classrooms, I noticed the excellent storage space in each room. Seems like no big deal, but this gave the rooms a much less cluttered and distracting look and feel than our classrooms. My guess is that everybody thinks better in that type of setting; I know I do. As I continued on my tour, it suddenly dawned on me, when I stepped into the cool and colorful library, that the entire school was the same comfy temperature. One room wasn’t stifling and the other freezing. How nice is that? I stopped by the bathroom. It doesn’t smell. The sinks all work. The toilets flush. There is a computer lab designed so all monitors face the teacher – the kids can be working on their computer projects together (vs. scattered throughout the school) and nobody can be looking at YouTube, their e-mail or anything else they shouldn’t be during school time. I could give you more details, but I imagine you get the idea.
On a broader note, the feeling or atmosphere provided by the new Madeira building is both refreshing and progressive. It is not “over the top” or wasteful in any way. It’s not like I walked into a place with slate floors, flat screen TVs in classrooms, professional caliber athletic facilities and a gourmet cafeteria. Instead, what I saw was what we should, without question, be providing. I saw a building that offers excellent space and learning environments for their students. It’s that simple.
As I was standing there I realized I was proud of what Madeira had done. How weird is that? But I was. And the idea that we can do our own Mariemont version that fits our community and our kids is so exciting. Talk about refreshing and energizing! This is big guys. Really big. Let’s stay focused and get this passed. We need you to vote YES either by mail or on May 4th. Then we can stand in our halls and be proud of what we’ve provided for all of us.
I’m not somebody who likes comparing myself with others (or comparing my kids, my car, certainly not the cleanliness of my car – or the cleanliness of my kids for that matter). But that was the opportunity we as a community were provided with this past weekend. For me it had nothing to do with comparing Mariemont to Madeira. For me, it was about seeing what a new school has that contributes to a better learning environment vs. what my kids are experiencing in their learning environment. This was not a “Madeira is better than Mariemont” or vice versa scenario.
I toured both Mariemont Elementary and Madeira Elementary. It was eye opening. Actually it was more than that, it was amazing. The idea that what Madeira has given their kids and community is right at our fingertips is so exciting. But, I’ve gotten ahead of my self.
Look, I know Mariemont Elementary. My three boys are in that school so I’ve spent my fair share in those halls, classrooms, and even bathrooms. There’s no question I have a soft spot in my heart for that place. However, after seeing Madeira Elementary, my soft spot sort of turned into a sad spot. We can and should be giving our kids such a better learning environment that it’s, well, amazing we’re not.
Madeira Elementary is filled with natural light, visible in every area possible; it was both bright and energizing. If you don’t believe me, think about how you feel when the sun pops out after several gray and rainy days. As I walked around the school and looked in the classrooms, I noticed the excellent storage space in each room. Seems like no big deal, but this gave the rooms a much less cluttered and distracting look and feel than our classrooms. My guess is that everybody thinks better in that type of setting; I know I do. As I continued on my tour, it suddenly dawned on me, when I stepped into the cool and colorful library, that the entire school was the same comfy temperature. One room wasn’t stifling and the other freezing. How nice is that? I stopped by the bathroom. It doesn’t smell. The sinks all work. The toilets flush. There is a computer lab designed so all monitors face the teacher – the kids can be working on their computer projects together (vs. scattered throughout the school) and nobody can be looking at YouTube, their e-mail or anything else they shouldn’t be during school time. I could give you more details, but I imagine you get the idea.
On a broader note, the feeling or atmosphere provided by the new Madeira building is both refreshing and progressive. It is not “over the top” or wasteful in any way. It’s not like I walked into a place with slate floors, flat screen TVs in classrooms, professional caliber athletic facilities and a gourmet cafeteria. Instead, what I saw was what we should, without question, be providing. I saw a building that offers excellent space and learning environments for their students. It’s that simple.
As I was standing there I realized I was proud of what Madeira had done. How weird is that? But I was. And the idea that we can do our own Mariemont version that fits our community and our kids is so exciting. Talk about refreshing and energizing! This is big guys. Really big. Let’s stay focused and get this passed. We need you to vote YES either by mail or on May 4th. Then we can stand in our halls and be proud of what we’ve provided for all of us.
Friday, April 9, 2010
26 Days Until the Vote
I grew up in Indiana so I guess basketball is in my blood. My college friends have a saying that you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take Indiana out of the girl. Very true. I never played basketball, but love to watch it, and it doesn’t get much better than March Madness. So, I along with most of the country sat glued to my TV Monday night to see if the Butler Bulldogs could beat Duke in a classic David and Goliath scenario. Even if you aren’t a basketball fan, but watched the game, you had to have been drawn in. It was excellent. Well played by both teams. It came down to a last second shot from Butler that bounced off the rim and out, leaving Duke the victor, 59-61.
This morning I was thinking again about how close Butler came to making history. And then my thoughts turned to the levy (as they do these days), the campaign and winning on May 4th. As crazy as it sounds, I ended up making several mental comparisons between the levy vote and that game. Here are a couple:
1. Seizing The Opportunity At Hand - It’s hard to get to the finals of the NCAA tournament. It’s been 9 years since Duke, one of college basketball’s best programs, got there. Butler had never gotten to the finals before Monday. Both teams had an opportunity on Monday night that they may not have again. Similarly, we have an opportunity we may never have again. On May 4th, we have the chance to build strongly and cost-effectively into our community’s and kid’s future. The low construction and financing costs paired with the government funding incentives provide an opportunity that may not come around again. Remember, just a little over a year ago, we were looking at implementing the facilities plan in 3 phases because the cost was so much higher than it is now. If we do it on May 4th, we can now do it in one phase. We need to seize the opportunity at hand.
2. It All Comes Down To This - Any team playing in the finals of the NCAA tournament has 40 minutes to win. It all comes down to that. And if they win, they make history. On May 4th, we have 13 hours to win. It all comes down to that. And when we win, we’ll make history. The support for the levy is really building; people are excited about the amazing potential this carries for our schools and our community. They can feel the opportunity available to build into our towns and our kids’ education. But what really matters on May 4th is if you vote. That decides the “game”. It all comes down this: We have one day – 13 hours - to determine if we grab our opportunity or miss it. Be a part of the “game” – Vote! Vote by mail now or at the polls on the 4th, but vote and help make history.
This morning I was thinking again about how close Butler came to making history. And then my thoughts turned to the levy (as they do these days), the campaign and winning on May 4th. As crazy as it sounds, I ended up making several mental comparisons between the levy vote and that game. Here are a couple:
1. Seizing The Opportunity At Hand - It’s hard to get to the finals of the NCAA tournament. It’s been 9 years since Duke, one of college basketball’s best programs, got there. Butler had never gotten to the finals before Monday. Both teams had an opportunity on Monday night that they may not have again. Similarly, we have an opportunity we may never have again. On May 4th, we have the chance to build strongly and cost-effectively into our community’s and kid’s future. The low construction and financing costs paired with the government funding incentives provide an opportunity that may not come around again. Remember, just a little over a year ago, we were looking at implementing the facilities plan in 3 phases because the cost was so much higher than it is now. If we do it on May 4th, we can now do it in one phase. We need to seize the opportunity at hand.
2. It All Comes Down To This - Any team playing in the finals of the NCAA tournament has 40 minutes to win. It all comes down to that. And if they win, they make history. On May 4th, we have 13 hours to win. It all comes down to that. And when we win, we’ll make history. The support for the levy is really building; people are excited about the amazing potential this carries for our schools and our community. They can feel the opportunity available to build into our towns and our kids’ education. But what really matters on May 4th is if you vote. That decides the “game”. It all comes down this: We have one day – 13 hours - to determine if we grab our opportunity or miss it. Be a part of the “game” – Vote! Vote by mail now or at the polls on the 4th, but vote and help make history.
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