"We Can Do Better"

The following is a summary of my Talking Points which I developed for my "Mix In The Morning" interview on FM 100.9 and also broadcast on Television on Channel Six.

Qualifications:

· I am a Concerned U. S. Citizen – 21 years in Iowa and 36 years in Georgia.
· I have been a Team Player during 21 Years in the Navy and 16 Years as a Brown and Williamson Employee
· I realize that being a Member of the School Board requires Team Work
· Involved in Educational Matters as a Volunteer Rolling Reader for 8 Years, reading at Weir, Morgan, Bruce and Vineville Academy
· Involved in the Bibb County School System Mentor’s Project
· I realize that I can serve to be a part of the Solution to the Problems facing Education versus being Part of the Problem
· Involved in many youth activities – Little League, Soccer, Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting
· As a career Sailor I learned the value of managing limited financial resources, just as many thousands of Military Volunteers still do.

Goals When Elected:

· I will be an Advocate for the Public Education System in Bibb County and the State by expressing appropriate concerns with our Duly Elected Georgia Lawmakers. For example eliminating Music from the Schools when everyone acknowledges that Music assist our youth with Brain Development.
· Advocate with our State Lawmakers about Unfunded Mandates. For example Merit Pay for Teachers.
· I pledge to be accessible to all Bibb County Citizens via E-Mail to hear their concerns and to represent them to the best of my ability as a Member of the School Board
· Participate in Community Events within Bibb County where I can stress the importance of Parenting which provides for the great education of our future citizens.
· Promote Open and Honest Communication with the Citizens of Bibb via the Electronic and Print Media. When events happen that require providing accurate information we must do better. (For example the Bloomfield Middle School Weapon Incident and the Howard Middle School Incident). Providing timely information helps reduce rumor and false information from spreading.

Points of Concern:

· Promoting the fact that a Child learns more in the first three years of life than they will the balance of their life.
· Promote the Stay in School to our Scholars can become useful and productive citizens to function in the dynamic careers of the future.
· I also know that the task facing School Boards across the Nation to provide a great education with decreasing financial resources is a major challenge.
· Regarding Transportation – Do we really need multiple buses running in the same Neighborhoods to transport Scholars to High School, Middle School and Elementary School? I think that we can raise the standards of student behavior to the point that all ages can ride in the same bus. The “Ron Clark Story” broadcast displayed that high standards do produce results.
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· In Bibb County the immediately Challenges include:

The need to provide an excellent education in the face of decreasing funds.

The hiring of a replacement for Ms. Patterson.



· I realize that I do not now know all the answers, nor will I ever know all the answers regarding education, however I will pledge to do my best by studying the issues. When I obligate myself to a project or a task I will follow through.

In conclusion I am looking forward to the Challenge of serving on the Bibb County School Board on the County Wide Seat.



Alan F. E. Thiese