Active community member Joan B. Grady has announced that she is running for the Douglas County School Board, District A.

As the grandparent of three grandchildren who are attending Douglas County schools (Mountain View, Northeast and Ponderosa) and the neighbor of Trailblazer Elementary School, I have had a keen interest in Douglas County Schools

As a retired educator, I expect nothing but the best for all children in the Douglas County school system. Douglas County has certainly moved to the top of the highest caliber of school districts in the last few years.

Over the past few years, Grady has served on various Boards of Directors including: Mile Hi Girl Scouts, soon to be Colorado Girls Scouts, Gateway Battered Women's Shelter, Scouts on Stamps Society International and as President of the Board of the Master Association for Streamside at Vail, a timeshare resort.

Grady has a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in Curriculum and Secondary School Administration. She also has two Master's degrees, one from Columbia University and one from the University of Denver.

As a retired educator, Grady has been a k-12 classroom teacher, a middle school Principal, a District Director in Cherry Creek School District and the Superintendent of Schools in Clear Creek County. She has also served on the School Board in the Cherry Creek School District and on the Board of the Rocky Mountain School for Expeditionary Learning, and the Colorado Association of School Boards' Board of Directors.

"I have had a lot of experience in various aspects of education and, if elected, I will be able to bring the background of these to the table as a member of the Douglas County School District Board of Education", Grady states.

While there is no doubt that Douglas County School District is one of the top districts in the state, the District must continue to monitor its actions in order to remain in that position. Teacher recruitment and continued opportunities for teachers to develop and improve is an essential effort that needs to be continuing.

Douglas County School District is to be commended for its forward looking approach to Charter Schools, Alternative Schools and Home Schooling. Utilizing its high standards with these schools as well as its more typical schools, the Board and District have consolidated a variety of efforts to provide ALL students with an education that meets their individual needs.

There are other issues that present some parents with concerns, some examples are: the early proposed start for the 2008-2009 school year, the fact that gifted and talented students are asked to attend schools other than their home school as these programs are clustered in only a few of the elementary schools, the fact that Girl and Boy Scouts not only cannot publicize their programs in the schools but must pay a significant amount of money if they wish to use a school classroom after school, and Hope Online Academy is in the process of becoming a Douglas County Charter School, more information on these issues needs to be put before the public.

Grady totally supports the Board of Education's Ends Statement:

"Students will acquire the educational foundation needed to lead meaningful and productive lives."