HUGE Thank you to all!

Thank you so much to so many who did so much to make this victory possible. My name was one the ballot but behind that were so very many people. A more detailed thank you is to follow when I can focus and don't feel like a campaign has hit me! For now, you know who you are!
Lisa :)

Akron Beacon Journal endorses Lisa Mansfield

The Akron Beacon Journal Endorsement is out!!! Read below!

For the Akron school board
Our choices : Jason Haas , Lisa Mansfield , Mexie Wilson and Ginger Baylor
The race for the Akron Board of Education this fall has been strikingly low key. The quiet belies the importance of this election during a critical transitional phase for the Akron Public Schools . The district is in the middle of an $ 800 million construction project, an investment that is providing up-to-date facilities in neighborhoods. At the same time, declining enrollment demands a strategy for downsizing that will not hamper educational opportunities . The district must find new and effective ways to raise achievement. Financing the schools will require similar determination and creativity. The seven - member school board itself is in transition. Of the four incumbents up for re - election , three have chosen to leave the board at the end of their
terms in December . A fifth plans to vacate his seat early in 2010. The new and inexperienced board members will face a steep learning curve as their four- year terms begin.
Voters must choose four from a field of eight candidates.

We recommend the election of Jason A. Haas, Lisa Mansfield, Mexie J. Wilson and Ginger Baylor on Nov . 3. Jason Haas , the only incumbent in the race, was elected in 2007 to fill an unexpired term. A grants program analyst with the Summit County Department of Community and Economic Development , he has spent the time productively, getting up to speed on critical board functions, from the budget to the planning and timetables of the school year. He shows
a solid grasp of the district’s many challenges. His priorities include a 10 - point increase in the graduation rate, a high school to follow up on the new STEM middle school , attention to the problems of middle - school students and careful analysis of budget commitments before any levy request. Haas offers a strong background in grants research, economic planning and personnel management. On a largely inexperienced board, his presence promises much- needed continuity.

Lisa Mansfield is the patron services manager at Weathervane Playhouse and a former substitute teacher in the district. She shows keen interest in promoting academic quality and efficiency in the district’s operations. Mansfield holds a balanced perspective of the strengths and weaknesses of the district, recognizing , for example, the strides the district has made and its attentiveness to intervention and alternative programs. She also understands the urgency
to raise performance levels, among other steps, by training teachers specifically to address the needs in inner- city schools. Appealing about her candidacy is her strong commitment to engage parents more extensively as partners in education . She fully supports
Superintendent David James’ emphasis on ‘‘ customer service ’ ’ as critical to promoting shared responsibility for the performance of the schools.

Mexie Wilson is the Northeast Ohio marketing representative for the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority, the state’s college savings plan. She also is an experienced youth organizer for civic and political projects. A former substitute teacher, Wilson is eager to see the district’s performance rise above mediocre. She is well - versed in hip - hop culture and sees its potential as a tool to connect with students in a nontraditional way . Wilson is bright, energetic and brimming with
ideas , from increasing community involvement to fundraising partnerships with local businesses . S he promises to be a particular asset on the school board , providing a bridge to urban youths whose perspective often isn’t taken into account on the board.

Ginger Baylor is an assistant professor at the University of Akron . She taught for 10 years as a substitute in the Akron schools and was an instructor for the Akron Urban League ’ s ASSET program. She stresses her communication skills and her ability to assess and resolve complex problems, plus her broad experience as an educator and a motivator working
with both children and adults. Baylor understands well that strong schools make strong communities. Sh e places priority on the Akron schools offering diverse programs so that every student can succeed. Th e remaining four candidates show an eagerness to serve and a genuine concern about raising performance levels in the district, stemming the decline in enrollment, actively engaging parents in the schools and increasing options for career education .

T hey are Bruce D. Alexander , superintendent of the Summit County juvenile detention facility; Virgil A. Ortiz , a customer service representative for Mesaba Airlines; Rita M. Hosch, a retired teacher with 27 years of experience in the Akron schools; and Dianna Smith , a senior in business administration at Kent State University.

Good things are happening with the AEA (Akron Education Association) endorsement, followed by Tri-county Labor, and today Teamsters Local 348!!

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Webchat tonight beginning at 7 p.m.!

Join Lisa Mansfield right here for a live webchat beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday evening.

Lisa will take your questions live from the Nervous Dog Coffee House, 1530 W. Market Street, in Akron.

So stop for coffee with Lisa .. or join the fun via the Internet.

See you tonight!

West Side Leader Postion Paper

What are the two most important issues facing the district and how would you address them?

I believe that the most important issues facing the Akron Public Schools are adjusting the budget and school buildings to reflect enrollment and reaching achievement levels that prepare students for the global job market.

The state needs to address the school funding formula. Most of the headway that the Governor called for this year was eventually eaten away by state legislators. Meanwhile, urban districts like Akron need to be fiscally responsible by adjusting our schools to match changing enrollment and making cuts when necessary. These cuts need to be kept as far away from the classroom as possible with a minimal affect on achievement.

Akron continues to match or surpass Ohio’s eight urban districts in the state report card. There were many reasons to celebrate this year with several Akron schools making strides. Much work remains if we hope to reach an Effective rating. Many of the programs instituted this year to help our district’s most at-risk students will hopefully continue to improve these scores. Meanwhile, the addition of the STEM school and the continuation of academic success at Miller South show the district isn’t just treading water but is striving for Excellence.
Achievement cannot take place unless our students and parents are confident about school safety. The district’s zero tolerance policy needs to continue with more than just a shuffling of students between school buildings. Intervention opportunities, such as the latest suspension program recently implemented in the former Erie Island School, will address some of the underlying reasons that children misbehave and will prepare them to be successful when they return to the classroom environment. Parental involvement and participation is key to achievement. Success is often within reach when parents partner with teachers in a student’s education.

What makes you the best candidate for this position?
I am a third-generation graduate of the Akron Public Schools and the mother to three sons currently enrolled in the district. I have one each in high school, middle school and elementary. With this legacy comes an historical perspective on where the district has been, a vested interest in where we are now and a vision of where we need to go. I have spent time connecting with parents from many Akron schools to learn their concerns, and I’m confident that our parents passionately want their children to succeed.
Education has always been a focus in my life. I earned a B.A. in Secondary Education from The University of Akron in 1990 with a concentration in English and History. I student-taught at Garfield High School and served as a substitute throughout the district. I was blessed to be able to stay home when my children were first born before returning to the workforce as they entered school. Still, while I was not in a traditional classroom, education dominated my volunteer time. I led La Leche League meetings to help mothers with breastfeeding and toddler issues, worked with teen moms through the Children Services’ program “Mentoring Mothers” and taught expectant mothers at Pregnancy Care on North Hill.
As Patron Services Manager at Weathervane Playhouse, I often interact with Akron Public Schools students both in and out of the classroom. I helped write curriculum, introduced Kindergarten students to theater concepts through “Akron After School” and served as director of “Neighborhood Playhouse,” a free, two-week summer camp in 2007 and 2008.
My experience, commitment and passion make me the best candidate for Akron School Board.

Want to read what the others have to say?? see the full article at http://www.akron.com/pages.asp?aID=6834

Lisa Mansfield invites everyone to coffee and webchat!

LISA MANSFIELD INVITES VOTERS TO WEBCHAT, COFFEE GET-TOGETHER
Akron School Board candidate connects with parents and others through technology at local coffee house

AKRON -- Lisa Mansfield, candidate for Akron School Board, invites the public to share their ideas for the school district during a webchat and coffee get-together on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Nervous Dog Coffee Bar, 1530 W. Market Street.

Lisa hopes voters will stop by and share a cup of coffee, and those who cannot attend are invited to interact with Lisa via a live webchat at www.lisamansfield.blogspot.com.


To learn more about Lisa, her plans for the district, or the campaign, visit www.LisaMansfield.blogspot.com and follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lisa_mansfield.