MEDIA ALERT March 13, 2007
Chris Myers Declares Candidacy for Toledo Public Schools Board
Toledo, Ohio. Chris Myers announces that he will hold a press conference to announce that he is a candidate for the Board of Education, Toledo Public Schools, for the election in November 2007.
Date: Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Place: One Government Center
Jackson & Erie
The media is respectfully requested to be present.
Myers is not new to the race for the Toledo Public Schools Board. In 2005, he ran as one of the “Three for Change” candidates. Although he did not win election to the Board then, he continues to be an education advocate. He puts his beliefs into action by pushing for accountability, advocating for openness and transparency, informing citizens what is happening, and demonstrating that technology can help make better and more open government and assist the district. He publishes several web sites to inform the public and solicit input from the community: www.governmentfor.us, www.greatopenswamp.com, www.tpsearch.com, www.myersforschoolboard.com and www.ideasfortps.com.
Chris Myers will officially pull his petitions at the Lucas County Board of Elections just before the press conference, and welcomes registered voters who are Toledo residents to sign his petition in support of his candidacy.
Myers’ high school academic success at Huron (Ohio) High School earned him a scholarship to the University of Toledo, which brought him to Toledo, the city he has called home for 13 years. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Toledo with a bachelor of education in secondary education in 1998 and earned a master of education in educational technology, December 2000.
Myers is the Webmaster for the University of Michigan School of Education where he has been employed since 2001.
Chris Myers and his wife, Xiaoyu Zhu, whom he met in China while studying there, live in West Toledo.
I hope to have some audio and pictures for tomorrow. Stop back. I will also post my statement tomorrow.
Digital photo available in the Press Kit area.
Statement
Here is my statement:
Good Afternoon. Thank you for joining me.
In 2005 I ran for Toledo School Board as one of the “Three for Change” candidates.
While I was not successful, I was encouraged by the election of Darlene Fisher and
Robert Torres and by the overwhelming support of our message for change.
I did not win the election, but I have not stopped working on behalf of the students
and citizens in the Toledo School District. Unlike others, I put my beliefs into action by
pushing for accountability, advocating for openness and transparency, informing citizens
what is going on, and demonstrating that technology can assist the district and help
make it better, transparent and inclusive.
Obviously, my passion to serve on the Toledo Public School board has not diminished.
While I don’t teach, I believe in education and I believe I have something to offer. This
area is looking for some new ideas, and I bring those ideas to the board.
And that is why we’re here today – as I announce my run for a seat on the Board of
Education for Toledo Public Schools. My background is solid – rooted in education and
technology. My devotion to the system is evident in the steps I’ve taken to engage the
public and offer unique and more efficient ways of operating.
My campaign will focus on three areas: stronger academics, fiscal responsibility, and
open and inclusive citizen engagement.
A lot of people talk about stronger academics. I will make it the first priority. Every
decision made by this board must focus on how it will enhance academic learning for
all students. This is why the board exists and all decisions must be made within this
context. Our children deserve nothing less.
As we emphasize academic success, we must also be mindful that the money we spend is YOUR money. That is why fiscal responsibility is the second emphasis.
Currently, there is a lack of trust from many in the public when it comes to the financial
decisions that are being made. Citizens have questioned many things: paying a superintendent to leave after he accepts another job, incurring legal costs to threaten citizens who are trying to help save the district money and increasing the travel budget. These are not the kinds of financial decisions I will make.
But the current majority on the board has made such decisions. And, at the same time that they’ve been less than prudent with YOUR tax dollars, they’ve stonewalled efforts to stream meetings over the Internet - a simple effort that would help engage many citizens. Additionally, we need to pay more attention to members of the public when they tell us their priorities for the children and the school system. We should be actively and willingly soliciting input, advice, comments and suggestions from all those who have a vested interest in our school system – regardless of whether or not they have children in our schools. That is why open and inclusive citizen engagement is the third aspect of my campaign. I will seek such input from parents, taxpayers, business owners and colleges/universities/trade schools who receive our graduates. I will not only solicit their ideas, but will VALUE their willingness to get involved in the system – even when we may disagree on particular issues.
The Toledo Public Schools have successes but they also have challenges.
I have watched education become an important part of the community discussion over the past two years. It is great that citizens are becoming more involved – they understand how important education is. But this is only the beginning. As the campaign progresses, I will offer more specifics and new ideas to move the district forward.
Our school system has the ability to be excellent, but it will need a majority of members on the board to provide the leadership that will get us there, and I look forward to making the case to the voters that I’m the one who is able to do just that. We can do better together. I am Chris Myers - and I thank you for showing your concern for our schools and our children by joining me today in my run for the school board.