My view: Preparing for a new school year

The students left for summer and classrooms were cleaned and prepared for the incoming class of 2012-2013.  The calendar for the next session is posted on the district website, and budgets are in the process of being finalized. 

This update is being sent to you from the great state of Virginia, just along the St. James River. I’m attending an educational meeting as a guest of Sen. Nancy Detert. We walk to our meetings along a path that was a major source of trade from colonial settlers from early 1600. There is an Indian tribe monument alongside of the cannons, which were used to protect and defend throughout wars with England and the new colonies. 

We are attending a regional conference of an organization solely dedicated to education. I’ve been taking notes on areas of graduation rates, reading achievement, and comparing best practices with 16 regional states’ data.   

Sen. Detert has been involved in this organization for about seven years and is presently on the executive board. Sen. Detert believes local school boards should work closely with the Legislature and has included me in information necessary to learn for all policy makers.

This organization serves our states with educational and data resources. As a guest, I have been welcomed and met state senators and representatives from many states and have lots of information to take home and follow up on.

I am encouraged to know that those serving in our state Senate and House are informed and updated regularly on education issues. I’ve talked with Evelyn Lyn of Alachua County who has served her district almost 20 years and she knows every fact and study on education.

As I read about new plans and what is working and what is not, there is consensus that education matters, because 25% of our students are 100% of our future. I am grateful for the mentorship of others along the way and appreciate the information that I will be sharing with fellow board members.

As we prepare for the final budget, my position has been to prioritize spending for teachers and their students. We also have an upcoming election for two School Board seats. 

I hope you will take some time to learn about the candidates for the Supervisor of Elections website and each candidate’s own website and, as always, I encourage all to participate and vote this August.

Children do not have a vote and those on the School Board set district policy, which is important to students, teachers, district employees, local community members, voters and tax payers who provide for the educational services of Manatee County. 

Julie Aranibar, an East County resident, represents District 3 on the Manatee County School Board.