03/05/2012
Citizen involvement in the education of students in Jefferson County is crucial, particularly in this moment. I run for the Jefferson County Board of Education because I want the best education possible for our dear son, Sam, and all students of Jefferson County.
I am increasingly concerned with bureaucratic dictates from Charleston and Washington which are far too often detrimental to the education of our children. Teachers and principals are qualified, and uniquely able, to make sound decisions about what works, and what does not work, in individual schools. I will promote site based management to give educators the tools they need to do things which work for our students. I will lobby beyond the county to ensure that educational practices are sound.
I worked for 19 years as a Jefferson County teacher before our son, Sam, was born. Concerns about financing his college education prompted me to begin working in Loudoun County, Virginia in 1999.
Educators understand my dilemma. Jefferson County has a fine school system. Teachers want to work where they live, and where their children go to school. We must provide incentives for them to do so.
Cost of Living Allowance is imperative for Jefferson County teachers. Data proves that it is more expensive to live here than in other parts of the state. "Locality Pay" is a red flag that must not be allowed to fly. I will lobby state officials incessantly to ensure that our teachers have a standard of living equal to other teachers in the state.
Recent RIFS and reductions in pay, coupled with the manner in which they were announced, are troublesome to me. We live in tough financial times. We must continue to remember that those directly involved with our students on a day to day basis, be they bus driver, custodian, secretary or teacher provide the real value in the lives of our students and act accordingly.
I am eternally grateful to the teachers, service staff and administrators who for the past 7 years have provided such a fine education for our son. I will work diligently on their behalf.
I have worked as a teacher/counselor at a local wilderness school for troubled youth, as adjunct instructor of Science Methods classes at Shepherd University, as a Fulbright Teacher in Scotland, as Teacher Naturalist for the Smithsonian Naturalist Center, as Aerospace Educator for the Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy Center, and for more than 30 years as a classroom teacher. I will bring a practicing teacher's perspective to the Jefferson County Board of Education.
Experience outside the classroom includes four years in the US Air Force, four years working the night shift at UPS while attending school on the GI Bill and 19 years as head guide at a local whitewater rafting operation. Principles of management and responsibility learned in the Air Force have been quite important in my career as a teacher.
Life has been good to me. Awards received include: Jefferson County Teacher of the Year, Loudoun County Teacher of the Year, The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching and a tour as NOAA Teacher at Sea.
Volunteer work includes: Board Member of the Harpers Ferry Water Commission, Board Member of the Harpers Ferry Historical Society and working as Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 421 of the Boy Scouts.
Your ideas, energy and financial support are needed. My home phone number is: 304-535-9956. E-mail is: [email protected]. I would very much appreciate your input.
Please contact me if you are willing to host a meeting at your home, business or school. I will be there to discuss concerns and ideas.
And more importantly, I ask for your vote.
We need to raise quite a bit of money if this campaign is to be successful. Direct mailings are quite expensive. I would be grateful for your contribution and use it wisely. Please send checks to Treasurer, Andrew Skinner, at:
Jenkins for Jefferson
PO Box 487
Charles Town, WV 25414
I look forward to speaking with you.
Thanks,
Jim
