It's Official

Friends, Colleagues, and Neighbors,
 
Well, it is official.  Today around 10am I filled out the final paperwork for qualifying for the election.  I gave the name as I wanted to see it on the ballot (I hope I didn’t misspell.).  I sent out my financial disclosure forms.  I formally created my campaign committee.  I am an official candidate for Columbia County (Georgia) School Board, District 3.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would run for public office.  But, times are such that I had to do something.
 
The reason that I am running for this office is to try to help change what we are doing in schools.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  The schools in Columbia County are great.  But, our education system is so focused on right and wrong, black and white, yes and no, that we are missing the context of creativity and critique. 
 
We need to rethink what we are doing.  Now, I am a realist.  I know that in this educational climate, testing and money go hand in hand.  However, there are ways to teach, curricula that can be designed, and materials that can be used in which test scores stay high, but students also can think creatively.  They can act critically.  They can problem solve.  They can discover.  They can explore.  They can grow.
 
That is my plan.  Yes, I know that dealing with school issues, zoning, budgeting and other things is part of the position.  But, it can be more than that.
 
My name is Andrew Kemp.  I have qualified for the election as a candidate for Columbia County School Board, District 3.  Please help me move forward.
 
Drew
 
http://secure.actblue.com/donate/kemp4ccboe/