From: Richard Gold
Columbus
What do we want in a school board candidate?
1. Job 1 is to help guide the team that assists every child in our community in achieving his or her full potential academically, emotionally, physically; and prepares an adult ready to meet the responsibilities of family, community, and country – with a spirit of curiosity and respect for all. It starts with school safety.
We are a community of many backgrounds, economic circumstances, cultures, religions, and perspectives. It is part of our community’s virtue. We may forget amidst the wealth and remarkable built environment that almost half of our students are on free and reduced lunch. We need a school system that supports all our children and allows each to blossom in his or her own way. Whittney Loyd is a lifetime resident of Columbus/Bartholomew County who has devoted her career to helping those in need. As Turning Point CEO she brings a heightened sensitivity to families and children not as fortunate. And that organization supports the development of healthy relationships for youngsters every day. If elected she gets to eat her own cooking as a mother of two young children in BCSC. Equally, she herself is a proud product of BCSC. She gets it.
2. Someone who brings an open mind and listens well: You don’t get to run a multi-million dollar organization, or raise thousands of dollars across a broad spectrum of funders for the United Way, Riley Children’s Hospital or Turning Point without listening and reconciling competing viewpoints. Whittney is a strong listener. She meets others where they are. She brings clear thinking and a willingness to learn. No dogma. No dog whistles. Transparent. Mission focused 100%.
3. The role of a board member: In one of her day jobs, Whittney answers to a board. She understands the role of the board is to provide governance, review strategy, policy and procedure, steward resources and leave the heavy lifting of day-to-day execution to the professionals who are trained, prepared and make it their life’s work. Lead, move out of the way, and then audit. It starts with safety.
4. Taxpayer: Whittney runs a multi-million-dollar human services organization. It too is resource-constrained. She remains 100% focused on the mission while making tough tradeoffs every day on client service, staff, scope and stewarding dollars. She is a taxpayer. Taxes for school support are not free. They come out of her family’s pocket just like yours and mine.
5. Economic development: Whittney is fully cognizant that the economic flywheel of strong employers, their employees, the tax base those jobs create can be accelerated or ground to a halt by the quality of our school system. It is a calling card of our community alongside public safety, health care and the amenities our tax base provides. Our ability to compete for the next generation is contingent on continuing to offer outstanding public education.
A vote for Loyd is a vote for every student and our community’s wellbeing.
Editor’s note: This letter is paid political content. Political endorsement letters are published with a $25 fee. They may be submitted to [email protected].
