A Letter from TPS District 4 School Board Candidate, Anna America
As many of you know, I am currently running for the Tulsa School Board. I am running for Seat #4, which is in East Tulsa — roughly north of 31st Street, between Memorial Drive and the east city limits (It includes East Central High School, Lewis & Clark and Foster middle schools, and 11 elementaries).
The election is just a month away, on Feb. 9. I am running against a candidate who has been entrenched in the seat 14 years, so I face a tough race, but I believe very strongly that needs new leadership — people with fresh ideas, who are willing to get input from others, look for innovative solutions and not just protect the status quo. Merely continuing on with what we have done for the past decade and a half is good enough — we can and must do better!
I know I have the skills, attitude and enthusiasm necessary to help us move forward. I have a strong professional record emphasizing communication, community involvement and management — skills in great need on the School Board.
Unlike most other School Board members, I have children currently in Tulsa Public Schools and bring the fresh perspective of a customer. I can see first-hand how the Board’s decisions affect families. I have a very powerful community network – with the media, neighborhoods, local and state governments, non-profits, faith-based groups and businesses – and can help forge partnerships that will help do more with less.
I am very active in the community, volunteering as a soccer coach, a Scouts leader, with the and other school activities. I am a member of the PlaniTulsa team, was a neighborhood president for a decade, and volunteer for many other causes.
If elected, one of my top priorities will be working to get parents more involved — both at their individual schools, and in the district as a whole. We must also engage neighborhoods, businesses, and others in the community. If we want our kids to become successful, contributing citizens, if we want Tulsa to be a livable, safe, thriving community, we need all the stakeholders working together to create the best school system possible. Some of the most important partners in this effort are the teachers, principals and support staff in each of the schools, and I promise to actively seek their input and ideas on how we can continue to improve.
I am writing because I need your help to win this race. Obviously, if you are a voter in District 4, I hope you will vote for me Feb. 9. But even if you don’t live in the district here are some ways you can help. This race could easily decided by fewer than 100 votes, so everything you do can make a difference!
Forward this letter to anyone you know who cares about Tulsa Public Schools or better yet, write a new letter in your own words letting them know why you think I would be a good choice.
My end goal is to reach voters in my district, but please pass on the message to ANYONE you know who cares about and its future, even former Tulsans or people in the suburbs, because they may know someone who lives in the district. Particularly in a school board race where voters may not be familiar with the candidates, it can be very influential to hear from someone they know and trust as to why they support a particular candidate.
Direct them to my webpage, www.America4Schools.com to find out more about me and my background and encourage them to contact me if they would like more information.
Please let me know if you are willing to put up a yard sign at your home or business (especially if you live in the District, but even if you don’t — if elected, I will be making decisions that affect Tulsans citywide, and I think it helps to show support across the community.) You can either email me back at this address, or click here to fill out the form and request a yard sign.
I could also use volunteer help — email me or fill out the form at the link above if you would be willing to help do things like stuff envelopes, distribute yard signs, call potential voters or even spend a few hours on a Saturday morning knocking on doors in the district to hand out material.
Use the media. If you are on facebook or Twitter, pass on the message that way — again, even just a few short words telling why you support me can help. On facebook, sign up to follow my page and keep updated on the campaign, www.facebook.com/#/pages/America-4-Schools, and encourage others to join.
Or write a letter the Tulsa World outlining why you think I am the best person for the job. Letters should be 250 words or less and addressed to Letters to the Editor, Tulsa World, Box 1770, Tulsa, Okla., 74102, or sent via e-mail to letters@tulsaworld.com.
Asking for money from your friends is by far the most uncomfortable part of an election, but it is absolutely necessary. I want to thank the many of you who have already donated to my campaign, and ask the rest of you to consider making a financial contribution. Because a school board race is so low-profile, there is little free publicity or news coverage, so the only way I can reach voters is through things like my web page, mailers, yard signs and handouts. All of that takes money and any amount helps!
Contributions can be sent to:
America 4 Schools, 1648 S. 94th East Ave., Tulsa, OK 74112.
Thanks so much for all the support, encouragement and help you have given me so far! I appreciate it more than you will know. I welcome your continued ideas and suggestions. Please feel free to encourage others to contact me with their thoughts, as well.
Anna America
Updated 01-19-2010
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