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Connecting the Dots for Delaware's Voters

What is the Vision Network:
The Vision Network is composed of districts and schools throughout Delaware that are committed to the principles of Vision 2015. Both individually and collectively, they are working to accelerate student achievement through improved leadership, classroom instruction, and school culture, and they are sharing best practices with one another at district and school levels.    http://www.vision2015delaware.org/vision-network/

Does Christina have schools in the Vision Network? 
Yes, six.

Does a school have to pay to be part of the Vision Network?
Yes.  The Christina District pays for professional development offered by the Vision Network.

How is the Vision Network Funded?
The Vision Network is funded through generous funding and support from the Delaware Department of Education, Delaware Business Roundtable Education Committee, the Rodel Foundation of Delaware, and the University of Delaware. Delaware’s winning Race to the Top plan includes funding to substantially expand the Vision Network as a tested and scalable professional development program.  http://www.vision2015delaware.org/vision-network/

What other organizations are related to the Rodel Foundation?
The Rodel Foundation is launching an initiative called Voices 4 Delaware Education, a new organization dedicated to informing the public about education reform in Delaware, building support, and empowering citizens and schools; they would love the support of the community at large.  http://www.townsquaredelaware.com/parental-involvement-the-key-to-school-improvement/

How is Voices 4 Delaware Education related to the Voices 4 Delaware Education Action Fund?
The Executive Director of Voices 4 Delaware Education, a 501(c)(3), is also the Executive Director of the legally separate entity Voices 4 Delaware Education Action Fund, a 501(c)(4). http://www.koyapartners.com/V4D_ED.html

What is a 501(c)(4)? How is it different from a 501(c)(3)?

Political campaign activity:
  • 501(c)3s cannot in any way support or oppose anyone running for public office, though they may be involved in political campaigns by way of non-partisan public forums, voter registration drives, etc.
  • 501(c)4s can engage in political campaign activity, so long as this is consistent with the organization’s purpose and is not the organization’s primary activity.  http://estela-kennen.suite101.com/what-is-a-501c4-organization-a14959











Category: 4 comments

4 comments:

Nancy Willing said...

I remember looking into Vision Network's training programs and seeing that they were sending Del. educators to California a lot at district expense.

Nancy Willing said...

fyi

https://www.facebook.com/notes/andye-daley/appo-school-board-election-is-very-important-here-is-an-oped-in-todays-paper-wri/10150717372227496

Wilmington News Journal 04/29/2012, Page A31

Just who is running for our school boards?

Anyone who has been fol­lowing national politics will have to wonder what impact the newly permitted “Super PACs” will have on the upcoming presidential campaign.

Many Americans are con­cerned that elections will be won on the basis of money spent and not necessarily on the character and qualifica­tions of the candidates.

While the national election might seem a little far re­moved, surprisingly, a similar movement is occurring in Del­aware with the upcoming board of education elections.

A recent e-mail was sent to various individuals by a group called Voices4Delaware.

It urged recipients to con­tribute $600 to various board candidates that this group supports.

Four districts, including Appoquinimink, were targeted as being “strategically impor­tant” to their mission.

I am not knowledgeable enough to comment on the qualifications of the candidate that was being endorsed for Appoquinimink, nor do I have an issue with him.

The only information that was given about him in the e-mail was that he had attend­ed a Christian school, was an active member of the Repub­lican Party and had attended Leadership Delaware training.

When I contacted the spokesperson for Voices4Dela­ware, I was shocked to learn that none of the other candi­dates running for the board in Appoquinimink were even vetted, leaving me to wonder how could the most qualified candidate be promoted.

School board elections may not have the stature of national elections, but they are abso­lutely critical to the well-being of the communities they serve. I would hope that we would consider all candidates who are running and would ask some very critical questions of each one.

Are these candidates run­ning to serve their schools and community or do they have some personal agenda?

Are these candidates in­volved in our schools so that they understand the critical issues facing education today?

Will these candidates work on behalf of all students in the district?

Do these candidates have enough confidence in the pub­lic school system to send their own children to them?

Hopefully, as the school board elections occur, we will be wise enough to keep ram­pant politics out of the race and elect school board mem­bers who represent kids – not Super PACs or political parties or unions.

Real reform will come to our schools when caring com­munity members who are will­ing to do the right things for the right reasons are elected to boards of education.

Tony J. Marchio is the former superinten­dent of the Appoquinimink School District.

DELAWARE VOICE

TONY J.

MARCHIO

Ed Diagnostician said...

we used to have 7......

Evan said...

Here's some background on the 2015ers http://www.examiner.com/article/delaware-s-vision-2015-set-to-fundamentally-transform-education-system

and RttT for good measure:
http://www.examiner.com/article/christina-school-board-s-race-to-the-top-workshop

http://www.examiner.com/article/christina-school-board-s-race-to-the-top-workshop-cont

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