Welcome! Having been involved in civic and public service most of my adult life , I have long worked for positive change in Alachua, Alachua County and the State of Florida, therefore my family and I now feel that the time has come for me to move in a direction that has been a tradition in the Burgess family; Education. I want to bring fresh ideas and positive solutions to the parents, teachers, administrators and citizens by running for School Board of Alachua County. As you know, there are several “hot button” topics facing our schools. Florida lawmakers are poised to make a dramatic overhaul of the state's public education system by increasing graduation standards for high school students, requiring more rigorous math and science classes, corporate-funded vouchers to send students to private schools. This is the most aggressive education overhaul since former Governor Bush’s “A –plus” education plan in 1999. What about our higher than normal higher drop-out and school suspension rates? We must address these issues and create solutions. Another important issue is the achievement gap in our area schools. Why do certain students struggle at school? The question isn't new, but it seems like the answers are always changing: lack of motivation, poor preparation, low expectations, and teacher quality have all caught some heat for low-achievement in schools. But what if there were factors outside the school that contributed to a lag in learning so severe that some students could never hope to catch up? We need to find ways to encourage our parents and community leaders to embrace a “hands on” approach that we can make a difference in every child’s life from the moment they walk into our public school family. To succeed in our civic duty and effort for change, we need to mount an aggressive campaign. To date, there are five candidates in the race for District 1. Our campaign will require a strong and organized grassroots organization. Our website will be launched this week and the team has been formed. That’s why I’m inviting the people that know me best to join my campaign and help make a real difference. A contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500[maximum amount] made payable to Campaign for “Bonnie K. Burgess” will help raise initial funds needed to launch the campaign. I ask for your support in meeting our goal. Help us offer the voters of this county a real choice in the election on August 24, 2010. Thank you in advance for your encouragement and support. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Bonnie K. Burgess |