James Howard Announces Run for Madison School Board

via a kind reader's email:

Hello, my name is James Howard.

I am running for School Board because I care about the success of our children. I want our schools to be even better. I strongly believe that in order for our community to be successful we need to support "ALL THE KIDS ALL THE TIME."

At the same, I understand the importance of maintaining fiscal responsibility to taxpayers. As an economist with over 35 years of experience I know it is critical to analyze and evaluate the economic impact of decisions.

My Priorities

• High expectations for all students
• Raise educational standards
• Narrow the achievement gap
• Base school curriculum, wellness and safety decisions on research
• Ensure fiscal responsibility to taxpayers
• Improve communication between teachers, parents, district administrators and the community

Press Release:

--PRESS RELEASE--

Today James Howard officially announced his candidacy for the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education. Mr. Howard is a candidate for Seat 4 which is currently held by retiring Board member Johnny Winston, Jr.

"I'm announcing my candidacy with great excitement," said Mr. Howard. "I care deeply about the success of our children. I strongly believe that in order for our community to have continued success we absolutely must support 'ALL THE KIDS, ALL THE TIME.' I want to work to ensure that happens."

Mr. Howard, an economist and scientist at the Forest Products Laboratory, has been active in education and community matters for many years. He served on the MMSD Strategic Planning Committee, the East Attendance Area Demographics and Long Range Facility Needs Task Force, and was co-chair of Community and Schools Together (CAST), the school referendum support group. He has also served on the South Madison Economic Development Committee and the Town of Madison Economic Development Committee.

In making this announcement, Mr. Howard thanked Mr. Winston for his many years of dedicated public service to Madison's children and community. "Mr. Johnny Winston, Jr. has been a leader on the board and in our Madison community. It will be a challenge for any newly elected board member to maintain the high standards that he exemplified," said Mr. Howard.

Mr. Howard has identified as his Board priorities: ensuring high expectations for all students, raising educational standards; narrowing the achievement gap; basing school curriculum, wellness and safety decisions on research; ensuring fiscal responsibility to taxpayers; improving communication between teachers, parents, district administrators and the community; and improving state funding of public schools.

He and his wife, Kathryn, have three children. His adult daughter is a UW Madison senior studying abroad in Kenya, his son attends Sherman Middle School, and his youngest daughter attends Emerson elementary.

More information on Mr. Howard can be found at his campaign website: http://jameshowardforschoolboard.limewebs.com/index.html

For questions or comments, please contact:
James Howard
email address: jameshowardforschoolboard@gmail.com
telephone number: 244-5278

Posted by Jim Zellmer at November 14, 2009 11:19 AM
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