Dear Friends:
I want to thank 12,657 people who voted for me in yesterdays Madison School Board primary. It is good to know that I have that many supporters in this city. We earned each and everyone of those votes. I know it and I have a feeling, so does my opponent.
So now we're the underdog... It's time to go to work!
I need all of your support to win on Tuesday April 6th. Please don't be discouraged because I'm not! The time to celebrate will be on Tuesday April 6th!
Are you with me? Answer back!
Johnny
Question from a parent:What do you feel about school choice?
Students in our school who qualified for the PEOPle Program were denied because they attend a parochial school. When we questioned the people in charge we were told that students who attend parochial schools are not disadvantaged because their parents have to pay tuition. We informed them that is not true, students receive scholarships and are qualified for this program. Then we were told that this is only open to students in public schools. What is your opinion on this? Do you think it is right to exclude private school students from programs like this because their parents struggle and sacrifice to put their children in a private school rather than a public school?
Obviously I am involved in a parochial school. I am a single parent of 4 children, we are considered low income, minority and were denied this program. I told my children that only proves we have to work harder yet for what we get. My children would have done great in the program. They would have been great for the statistics, but we go to a private school. I was surprised there was no requests for proof of income or proof of need. I know quite a few other children involved in this program where there are 2 income families with well paying jobs, doctors, lawyers, UW professors, state and city employees. Our students can't be involved in this program because they go to a parochial school. Is that fair?
Your comments and response would be greatly appreciated. I am interested in someone who looks at the whole issue when making decisions for our schools.
Reply from me-Thank you for your question. School choice is fine with me.
As for your other question regarding the PEOPLE program of the UW, that gets a little tricky. The Madison School Board has no control over setting policy for University programs just as we would have no control over setting policy for any of the parochial schools.
However, I have called several people that I know who work in the PEOPLE program including the director, XXXXXX (assistant dean of education). I left a message so I'm sure he will call me soon. Are you interested in your children attending the program? To whom did you speak with when you first tried to register? When did you do this? Sometimes, student staff aren't as familiar with the programs than the regular staff. I'm just saying this because I spoke to a few of the "UW student" workers and they were not familiar with some of rules or staff names.
Follow up question from the parent-Thanks for your quick response. When we were rejected by the People Program, our Principal wrote to all the people in charge. She called, wrote and worked very hard to get answers. I don't know their names, but she did her absolute best calling and corresponding with the directors of
the program. She didn't talk to students only. Her end result was that the program is offered to Public School students only. Although that makes my blood boil, I will chalk it up to the system. My parents fought for equal busing in the sixties for parochial schools and I guess the
fight continues. My biggest gripe is the totally false policy they have. If it is for underprivileged students then it should be just that. What makes an under privileged student, being minority? I don't believe that? I think that is the exact mind set we have to work against. I think I
have a daughter that breaks that mold. Yes, that is my daughter,XXXX. She knows who you are, too. She thinks you are "cool." I have worked hard to keep my kids working hard and doing well in school and all the things they participate in regardless of the social group they are in. I
have been truly blest with help from lots of people and many of those people are people that I don't even know. I know my kids heard racial slurs and comments as did I, but that didn't stop them. I think the best thing is that they could come and talk to me about it and I could give
them the answers they needed to move on and not dwell on their differences, but on their strengths as human beings. We could pity those suffering from severe ignorance and arm them with strategies if/when it happens again.
I would like the program to be opened up to people who need it. i would like the program to have some requirements in order to participate. When people apply for WIC they need to show proof of income. When people need medical assistance or heating assistance they need to show proof of income. This program needs no proof of anything. I wonder if I would have lied about the school my kids went to, they might have gotten in. Although they did need a transcript from the school. My second daughter was denied from the program. Right now, my 3rd child would be eligible for the program. Yes, I would like him to be in the program, but then I would like the other students in his grade that need the same financial assistance to get it. If the program is to succeed it needs to be fair, consistent, and honest across the board, not who you know.
That is my opinion. (-:
You have my vote.
Answer to follow-up - I would encourage you to call xxxxxxx. His number is xxx-xxxx. I realize that I can't do anything in my role as "candidate" of the Madison School Board, however, I want to see young people succeed no matter where they attend school. I commend you on your efforts as the ultimate advocate for your children. I will contact you if I receive any additional information regarding the PEOPLE program.
Johnny
Dear Friends:
You are invited to "Johnny Winston, Jr.'s Election Night Event", on Tuesday February 17 from 7-10pm at the Madison Labor Temple, 1602 South Park Street.
Come join us as we wait for election results. There will be snacks available and good conversation with friends and neighbors.
See you on Tuesday night.
Johnny
I received this question from a parent--
As a result of the functional analysis the District conducted a couple of years ago, the budget for what we call "talented and gifted" education (more accurately called "meeting the curricular and other needs of our high performing students") was cut in half (to just over half a million dollars), while the multi-million dollar special education budget was slightly increased (to more than 51 million dollars). This was done despite the fact that each pot of money, according to District figures, serves approximately the same number of students -- roughly 5000 -- and despite the fact that the District has been in noncompliance with the State statutes for talented and gifted education ("Standard t") for years.
With additional budget cuts looming large, I have two related questions:
1) How strong a statement are you willing to make about your intentions to protect the District's "talented and gifted" budget from further cuts?
2) What are your thoughts about how to continue closing the achievement gap, but without taking further resources away from the District's high-performing students -- without precipitating what some call "bright flight" -- so that instead of simply insuring that "no child is left behind," we guarantee that "each and every child -- including those who are performing well above grade level -- moves ahead"?
Here's my answer-
Thank you for your question. I believe that there are many opportunities for talented and gifted students in our district. In addition, I believe there are many of these same opportunities in our community (i.e. children attending courses at U.W. and M.A.T.C.). However, I agree that there is more to do. Our gifted students help make our district nationally recognized. I’m committed to reviewing TAG as the budget is developed. I want to be equitable in our resources as it relates to our approach to students.
Special education is driven by law. Federal and state law mandates that the district provides specialized education for students with disabilities. It is no secret that the numbers of special education students has increased. However, the money to educate these students has not kept up with demand (No thanks to President Bush).
Your question is another reason why our school board needs to develop stronger partnerships with our local colleges, business community, and youth service agencies. So that no child is left behind.
Johnny Winston, Jr.
I met Presidential hopeful, Senator John Kerry at his rally yesterday at the Alliant Energy Center (see photo). I don’t believe I have been that close to a Presidential candidate (I did meet Jesse Jackson as a 10th grader in 1984). Although, I have not made a decision on whom to vote for, I was very impressed with Sen. Kerry’s stance on issues and passions for them, especially fully funding special education. I also appreciate that he is supported by firefighters (given that I am one myself). Honestly, I have been so busy with campaigning for my own election; I have had little time to think of the democratic presidential and casino debates that have dominated the local headlines. This Tuesday, I will make my decisions… Vote February 17th for a Democratic President, Yes or No on the Casino, Dane County Board of Supervisors (especially my neighbor - Dave de Felice), and of course, ME.
Yesterday, I participated in my first ever “School Board Candidates Forum” at Cherokee Middle school. Although, I felt like I did “okay” (a stomach flu from the morning, didn’t make things better), I felt like I learned a lot. One of the thing I did learn is that, “People truly do care about their school district.” I mean that. Let me explain. Although, the crowd was about 30 or so people, these people took time out of their busy schedules to listen to the future leaders of their school district. There were questions regarding curricula, book banning, student theft, city growth and a few others. Each candidate was able to have 2 minutes to answer each question. Two minutes is not a lot of time to answer because the questions (or problems) are so complex. I guess this is what I signed up for. At the next forum in a few weeks, I’ll be ready!
My name is Johnny Winston, Jr. and I am seeking to become elected to seat number four of the Madison School Board (soon to be vacated by Ray Allen). I am a long time Madison resident who attended Madison schools and graduated from West High School in 1986. I also have two teenage daughters attending Madison schools. Currently, I’m a firefighter with the City of Madison fire department; however, I have a long history working in education and social services.
Some of my past professional positions include Director of Vera Court Neighborhood Center, Home/School Coordinator at Leopold Elementary and youth worker for the Neighborhood Intervention Program. My experience working with youth makes me a good candidate for the Madison School Board.
It is very easy to get discouraged by looking at local media headlines that show standardized test scores and graduation rates for racial and ethnic minority students. It is disheartening to know that our community is losing the battle for the primary right to educate our students. Without education, these students face a life of greater challenges to attain upward advancement and economic security. These are the facts. However, I implore the Madison community to not give up. Do not give up on our school district. In doing so, we give up on our students. They need us, parents, teachers and the community to lead the way. Our school district needs your help. They need leadership to help generate real solutions to real problems.
As an elected member I will be a leader that provides oversight, accountability and support for teachers and students. I will be an active member of the board by studying the information and issues. I will make decisions based on knowledge and not an agenda. I will assist in developing policy that will help all of our students be successful in the Madison Metropolitan School District. I want to facilitate building relationships linking together groups that have not worked together before to collaborate on addressing district-wide concerns. This includes building partnerships with our local university and colleges, business community, and not for profit groups working with our young people. Consistent with the focus of the Madison School Board, I want to see African American students and students of all ethnicities, socio-economic levels and backgrounds succeed in our school system.
How do we do this? We do it together. In the spirit of working together, I pose several questions to our community. What are you doing to help students to be successful in Madison schools? Are you an involved parent? Do you go to your child’s school and meet teachers (especially when things are going well)? Doing this builds relations that are needed to be successful not only in schools but in life in general. If you don’t have children in Madison schools can you become a mentor? Can you afford to buy extra school supplies for students that can’t afford them? Do you assist in after school homework clubs or reading programs at schools or at neighborhood centers? There are many ways to become involved in the lives of our young people. If everyone in our community becomes involved we can see more success stories in our students. Remember, they are the future.
This is why I’m running for seat number four on the Madison School Board. I believe in focusing on possibilities to address problems. Don’t get discouraged. Get involved.