December 16, 2015
Dear SRI Colleagues,
Thank you to all who participated in this year’s SRI board election. Friday, December 11th, was the conclusion of our sixth annual board election cycle. Another successful election with extraordinary candidates shows continued evidence of the democratic and transparent organization that our founding board imagined and set in motion. We thank you all for another year of committed work on behalf of schools everywhere.
Once again the nominating committee did a remarkable job and presented a slate of amazing candidates. Thank you to this year’s committee – Co-Chairs, Jeffrey Galaise (New York) and Mark Otto (New York) and members Miranda Dozier (Georgia), Valerie Mendez-Farinas (Florida), Sharon Jones (Florida), and Jonett Miniel (Texas).
Thank you to each of the nine candidates who stood for election. Your passion for teaching and learning is clear and strong. The time you took to participate in this process is an indication of your commitment to SRI and our organizational health and future.
This year, we had our closest election ever. Four candidates were within 2 votes of each other. In fact, there was a tie for the third board position. Because our bylaws allow us to have up to 12 voting board members (we currently have 11), the board of directors determined the best course of action was to add to the board both of the candidates who tied for the third seat. We will be adding four new members instead of three.
We are thrilled to announce the four new SRI board members, elected by our affiliates around the country:
Carrie Brennan (Arizona)
Raquel Diaz (Florida)
Deirdre Sharkey (Texas)
Gillian Smith (New York)
The term of service for SRI board members is three years. New board members begin their service in January at the Winter Meeting in Miami.
Our deepest thanks go to our departing board members, Beth Graham, Heather Palin and Thomas Van Soelen, for their service. The contributions, thinking, and energy of these colleagues have been crucial to the board’s work of growing and shepherding SRI. The board has been made stronger because of them – smarter and wiser and more capable because of their work and dedication.
Departing Board Members:
Beth Graham (Massachusetts)
Heather Palin (California)
Thomas Van Soelen (Georgia)
Thank you to all the voting affiliates for your presence and voice in our organizational development, and for helping shape the direction of the School Reform Initiative.
Here’s to all the wonderful work we will continue to do together.
We hope to see you in Miami,
Kevin Fahey and Kari Thierer
On behalf of the SRI Board
