Here is the dilemma:  How does an elected official communicate his or her thoughts, feelings, and motivations to the constituency they serve, given the fact that they serve in an unpaid position with no budget for community outreach programs or a well-funded public relations department?

You answer e-mails, do some meet and greets, write some editorials, and speak out at sparsely attended board meetings.  You worry that this is not enough, but knowing that many board member expenses come out of their own personal budgetary needs, you look at limited options.

Here is where technology can help.  Setting up and maintaining a personal blog is not original, but it is a leap of technological faith for a fifty-one year old man who has trouble operating a now outdated VCR machine.  Many politicians throughout the valley support personal blogs, and I am not above stealing a good idea or two.

The trick is not in the stealing, but in taking the idea and giving it your own personal touch.  In other words, what is it that I offer that makes my blog presentation unique to my personality and thought processes?

I hope that my entries on this blog will provide insights into the thoughts, feelings, and motiviations that define my leadership style.  One caveat needs mentioned as to the reading of my entries.  Board Policy, and common decency, makes it clear that the thoughts expressed by any board member represent their own views and in no way attempt to represent the thinking of other board members or district leadership.  I will adhere to this standard.

Recognizing that this may be your first introduction to me, I beg the reader's indulgence as I provide a short biographical sketch.  I have over twenty years classroom teaching experienced tethered to a Master's Degree in Urban Education.  My service on the Governing Board began in 2002.

For five of the past six years, Governing Board members voted me to carry out the duties of Board President.  During this time, I worked with three different Superintendents and eleven different board members.  During all this turmoil and turnover, one thing remainded constant: the people with the knowledge of my leadership capabilities recognized the importance of my leadership as Governing Board President to this school district.  I wanted to bring this to your attention to speak to my leadership potential.

Since arriving on the board in November 2002, I stressed the raising of our academic expectations and standards as our school district's journey.  This journey transcends the expectations and limitations of time, but marches forth daily, in the small educational miracles given and received by young and old hearts alike.

This journey started with a vision (higher academic standards and expectations) fueled by change and accountability.  Accountablity and change create tensions that test personal relationships, group dynamics, and leadership skills.  The journey moves not as the crow flies, but branches out in many directions.  Some roads move us forward; others stop at a dead end.  The compass of collaboration, the free exchange of ideas without fear of retribution or retaliation, allows us to learn from our mistakes and points us in the right direction.

Along the journey, it behooves us to take stock of where we have been and where we are.  It is a quiet time of simple comtemplation; a smelling fo the roses that demand our attention.  A fragance that drifts into the air carried on the wings of a thousand and one good deeds done well.  It does well to acknowledge this wonderful new smell and to savor it.

My blog entries will speak to our journey of becoming one of the top academic school districts in the state.  We travel this road together as "doers", risk takers, and agents of change.  We move forward together in our strong resolve to take a path less taken, clear it, and pave it with the fruits of our labor:  those opportunities that allow children to dream of future possiblities and feel good about their attemps to achieve those dreams.

Warm Regards,
Charles K. Otterman