The time is now for a new generation of leaders to forge a new vision for Eden Prairie Schools

The time is now for a new generation of leaders to forge a new vision for Eden Prairie Schools. We have a lot to be proud of in our schools. I offer to you, however, that ‘closing the achievement gap' is an admirable goal, but it is not a vision. I believe we can do better. The time has come for us to ‘raise the bar' and expect more from our board, administration, parents, and the community.

We need more focus, accountability, and transparency. Our leaders need to be held accountable to the right set of results and outcomes. Our vision for the district should start with a recognition that education occurs between a teacher and a child and a parent and a child. The ‘return on learning' is highest when investments are made to enhance these relationships. We need to start asking tougher questions about how other resources are being allocated.

Part of our challenge is that we have a 19th/20th century educational system trying to prepare our children for 21st century challenges. Ironically, the solution to many of our challenges lies in a renewed focus on teaching a proven core curriculum. Our children will require stronger debate/argument and problem solving to be successful in a changing world. To accomplish this we adults need to become students on what works and does not work. We need to be relentlessly curious about what other even higher performing districts are doing to improve the system. Our goal must be to increase the value of education while at the same time making it more productive.

Ronald Reagan once said, "freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same". Let's commit ourselves to invest more time and energy in making sure our children understand this lesson. We are not a perfect people, but we have a lot to be proud of. With the exception of the Native Americans, we are all immigrants. Every child needs to have a common understanding of who we are as a people.

If you are looking for a board member to ask critical questions - not being critical - thoughtful questions, deeper debate, more transparency, more accountability, then I ask for your vote.

Rob Willey

Candidate for Eden Prairie School Board