Many candidates are building an online presence, so if you're interested in having your say in who should be Secretary of Education, start by monitoring education blogs and posting your opinions. Decision makers DO watch reactions to bloggers. Start with The New York Times, Education Week, and Gotham Schools. Also, make your presence known on the President-Elect's sites: the community blogs and Change.gov    

So, with lessons from the past still fresh in the memories on both sides, Democrats and Republicans are embarking on a massive Get Out the Vote (GOTV) drive. Campaigns are won and lost with GOTV drives--really effective ones can swing an entire race. In fact, this year GOTV efforts are going on prior to Election Day, in states with early voting.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, has, by most accounts, been a successful mayor. With a 70%+ approval rating, the people of New York seem to continue to have great confidence in their chief executive.

If 70% of your constituents think you're doing a good job, one might get the idea that they want you stick around. Or at least, that's what Bloomberg is counting on.

At the end of this school year, Superintendent Forgione will be retiring and a new superintendent will be hired by the Board of Trustees.  This is big transition for our school district since it is the first time in ten years that the Trustees will be choosing a new superintendent.  It is important for the community to share their priorities about the future direction of the district, and the qualities we need in our next leader. We would like to fill the hall with Austin Voices members and supporters to show that the community wants to participate in this very important decision.

What: Superintendent Profile Forum
Location: Carver Public Library, 1161 Angelina St .
Time: 6 to 8 pm
Date: Thursday, September 25th.

Please arrive a few minutes early to receive a free Austin Voices t-shirt to wear to the forum.  If you are unable to make it to the forum on Thursday evening at the Carver Library, there are several other forums you can attend next week to join in the conversation.   For other dates and locations, please visit www.austinisd.org.

This is an IMPORTANT opportunity for Austin community members to set the future direction of our school district--we hope you will join us.

Thanks,
Amy Averett
Executive Director
Austin Voices for Education and Youth

I hope you will join me and the Citizen Schools staff to learn more about our program in Austin and opportunities to get involved.

My best,
Mary Dickson
Houston '02