On April 15 the voting community of Jackson will have the opportunity to participate in an often neglected, but extremely important component of our educational system - the annual school board budget and elections. I will be voting for incumbents Mike Hanlon and Barbara Fiero for the Board of Education.

As the parent of two children who have attended school in the Jackson school district for the past 12 years, a long-time resident, and a taxpayer in Jackson, I have remained an active participant in my children's education, as well as a volunteer on numerous school-based and community organizations.

In my personal experience I have found that neither Mike nor Barbara have political or special interest agendas. They are independent minded, fair, creative, professional and committed to serving the needs of the entire community with balance and equity.

They have proven to be highly effective, dedicated board members who have achieved goals established by the community, including higher student test scores, greater administrative accountability and effective use of available resources to meet new and greater demands on our school district.

I have seen their dedication to the entire school population in allocating available revenues to meet the needs of each and every student - a balancing act that works to satisfy every student, rather than any one special area of education.

To encourage community input and accessibility, the Board of Education in Jackson has implemented a two-step board meeting that now includes a Committee of the Whole. Both Mike Hanlon and Barbara Fiero have embraced the increased accountability and transparency inherent in the additional board meeting.

When voting on April 15, I urge you to consider the motives behind candidates who support special interest groups, political agendas and chronic naysayers of the Jackson School District.

It is with good faith that you may cast your votes for Barbara Fiero and Mike Hanlon, two school board candidates with proven track records of credibility and achievement for the children and community of Jackson.

Hope Gilmore

Jackson