1 VOTE FOR YOUR CHILD - ELIZABETH JOHNSTON

I have had the privilege of serving our community through my work on the Board of Education for the past four years.

During this time I have worked conscientiously and diligently to bring about changes to enrich the academic experience of all of our students. I have been a strong advocate and moving force behind the extended day kindergarten, nutrition and wellness awareness, curriculum review, committee formation and research on late starts for middle and high school students and energy conservation through alternative energy sources; geothermal heating and cooling is an example, which would mean significant future savings for the district.

I continue to see opportunity for improvement and look forward to another four years of making a difference.

Introduction and Vision

My Husband, Douglas, and I have lived in Indian Hill with our four children for the past 22 years. All of our children have attended Indian Hill schools; three have graduated from various universities and are pursuing successful careers. The youngest is a sophomore at the high school.

I have seen the inside of our school system as a parent, as a volunteer and as a taxpayer. I have shared in the struggles and successes of the schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The Indian Hill Schools are special, and rightly so; with the community resources, exceptional parental involvement and generous support, we can have this and expect more.

Education is a valued commodity in our community. We need to use our resources for the advantage of every child in this district. Every child should get the maximum benefit from those resources; every child deserves the opportunity to maximize his or her potential.

This district has a lot to be proud of with all the attributes that go into making for the best schools anywhere: Financial Resources, Physical Assets, Great Teachers, Parental Involvement, and Community Support as well as high expectations, and a true spirit of competitiveness. As a result we have a school that has enjoyed the National Award of Excellence.

The Board of education has a fiscal responsibility to the community and a visionary responsibility to its parents and students. The board’s primary function is to ensure that state mandates are met and carried out…but our expectations for our students far exceed these minimal guidelines. The board needs to design a vision for our students and recognize their need to develop 21st century skills which incorporate the digital age, expanded language and cultural exposure, globalization theories and its implications for the future of education for our students. Indian Hill Schools lag behind leading schools in digital technology having the potential to expand classroom walls, transform the pedagogy and help students better prepare for their future.

With a highly educated base, this community does not want to see Indian Hill Schools follow the national trend of showering its resources on the top 10% of students, the headliners. All of our students are entitled to a superior quality education. With the implementation of differentiated teaching methods all students can make the grade. The district needs to utilize all tools available to maximize each student’s potential including moving school start times for middle and high school students to a later time. Exhaustive research shows that a later start time not only improves the academic performance of teenagers but also their ability to make better life decisions.

Our children should be provided with an atmosphere that helps them develop best – an atmosphere of open inquiry, trust and mutual respect, civility and compassion. Every child in this district is important. Every child should feel valued, should have high self esteem, and should have the confidence and skills to attain their destiny. Sure it’s a lot harder to move a child from the 50th to the 80th percentile, but that’s our job.

The needs of each student should be the factor that decides how we get on with our business.

We must educate the intellect and develop the character. It is not the information that is important but the use of it. In this community we ought to be raising the bar for everybody, not just somebody. I’m asking for your support and your vote.