Weekly Message:​ 10.15.2018

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RESPONSIBLE OVERSIGHT 

The board needs to act like an oversight committee, ensuring the school district is focusing on the highest quality of education for all students and being fiscally prudent in the process.  The school board is to hold district leadership accountable to a plan with priorities.  Board policy and safety policies are outdated, indicative of the lack of leadership and priorities of the board.  With my experience on a variety of boards, I will work tirelessly to develop collaboration respecting each member’s viewpoints.  As an advocate for decades, I am prepared to have tough discussions while focusing on the district priorities.

 

A board cannot effectively govern, much less a school administration proceed, with no policy or priorities. This is indicative of the board functionality-no guiding principle.  In addition, the constant divisive 3-2 votes are not characteristics of board leaders.   With safety being one of the most important issues in students and parents lives today, also having an outdated safety policy is unacceptable.  One of the first things I will focus on is demanding an updated safety plan. As the Grad Nite Chairman for six years, I have managed a safe and sober overnight celebration for graduating seniors at RBHS.  As VP of Leadership on the Palomar Council PTA, we show our support of safety on campuses by promoting the Sandy Hook Promise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGw2MBCMMy8.  

 

I will use my proven leadership skills to reestablish our school district’s excellence by providing a well-managed, fiscally responsible, and solution-focused school district.   As recent PTSA President of RBHS, I strengthened parents’ engagement in their children’s education, encouraged students to take ownership in their schools, fostered a supportive environment for teachers and staff, and partnered with businesses to bring more vocational education to our schools. 

                                                                                       

I am passionate about continuing to strengthen families and our community.   I will work tirelessly to bring respected leadership through engaged relationships to our district.  The current board is argumentative instead of collaborative.  There has been too much rubber stamping with little visionary planning.  The challenge is to establish vision and have the meaningful conversations needed to implement it.  It is time to elect someone with a proven character that counts.  Vote Norwood for School Board.com

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Editorials:​

WHERE TO VOTE AND WHY   

Your vote is a right and benefits you.  We vote to elect leaders that will represent our goals & values. We vote to ensure fair representation. We vote with the expectation that our elected politicians will be transparent.

 

There has been too much division and not enough collaboration on the board.  The school board needs leadership that utilizes each member’s strengths for the benefit of the district’s mission.  This board needs transparent decision making to restore our school districts excellence.   My reputation for transparency and leadership is demonstrated by my roles within the community: leading open meetings about Grad Nite being held on campus or off; advocating to include student leadership in the PTA Board; supporting fairness amongst LGBTW+ and young adult privacy concerns at school board meetings; ensuring neighborhood residents have a platform to be heard at community meetings.  Your voice should be heard and your vote should be counted.

 

It is imperative to have representation that will listen and respect your interests. I am a well-respected leader with the well-rounded experience and team building character needed on our school board.  The board member I am wanting to unseat opposed MAP 109 that the community spoke in favor of.  He voted against a safe haven resolution ensuring families would not be arrested on school campuses.  He also votes for deficit spending. I facilitated meetings in a civil and orderly atmosphere even when emotions played into issues and challenging conversations.  I will work tirelessly to continue to strengthen families and our community and bring respectful leadership to our district.

 

The RB residents want a board member to represent their community.  As a 20 year Westwood resident, my activities in the schools and community show my compassion and commitment.  I have mentored leaders and developed programs to increase awareness. Let your friends and neighbors know you are voting and who you are voting for.  Let your voice and vote be recognized. #YourVoteMatters  When we all vote, we can each make a difference, and together we can make a change.  Vote Norwood For School Board.

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FAMILY ADVOCACY

It is my nature to help others.  The strong support I have for this election is from connecting with my community.  I listen then find solutions.   My work is about educating people to empower themselves to achieve what success means to them.  When students asked for alternative college options, I gave them career tech workshops.  Parents asked for parental collaboration, I gave them a Parent Center.  RBHS lacked parent engagement, I gave them Staying Connected info on different platforms.  When students asked for protection, I fought for a Safe Haven Resolution.  My opponent voted against this resolution.  

 

• One of my favorite programs that I worked on for six years was coordinating the safe and sober celebration for graduating seniors.  The past five years, I incorporated the students to take the lead for the design and implementation of most of the projects.  From drawing and manufacturing the façade and t-shirt artwork to engineered fire pits and volcanoes; the students took ownership for the graduating senior’s special event. 

 

• One of my most challenging but rewarding issues was when concern mounted about student rights for gender equality. As a PTA President, one concern our students and parents had was for a person who identifies with the other gender accessing those lockers rooms. I spoke at the school board meeting and everyone's concerns were addressed, heard, and understood.  The result was individual changing stations and a bathroom for anyone that wanted complete privacy. 

 

It is important to me that every student learn skills for life not just their career. A foundation is what will get them through their trials in life.  I feel confident the inclusion of students in these programs enhanced their lives.  As a school board member, I will market resources through parent organizations enhancing academic success and enriching family life. I will work to provide the school district parents rely on and students deserve.  I ask for your support. Vote Norwood for School Board, District C November 6th, 2018

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WHY VOTE NORWOOD 4 SCHOOL BOARD.  

Terry Norwood is the candidate with the well-rounded experience and team building character needed on our school board. With over 20 years of advocacy work for education and military families, all over the world, she has a strong background in community programs and diverse cultures to be an effective team member on our school board. From service both in leadership and as a team member, she will be able to serve however needed. Her goal is to provide oversight and direction to our school district ensuring all stakeholders’ needs are considered and implemented in a respectful timeline while being prudent with our budget shortcomings.

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Norwood’s platforms are Education Equality, Family Advocacy, Stewardship, and Organizational Leadership.  For details about each of these issues and more, visit Norwood4SchoolBoard.com (sic).  One concept Norwood will encourage is the advocating and marketing of Parents as Partners and Caring Companies.  She will work with the PUSD Career Technical Program to expand the marketing of this phenomenal department.  She would like it expanded with a district wide life skills coursework and career options seminars, for both parents and students.   PUSD has extremely talented teachers that provide foundations for critical thinking. Those skills need real world application to be thoroughly understood.  When the district partners with companies-my plan to implement Caring Companies-we can provide students with first-hand knowledge of current standards and an opportunity to find the relevance of their academic curriculum.

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There is no doubt student education comes first when determining why decisions are made in a school district.  What is most imperative is who makes the decisions and how they are implemented.  As a respected community leader, Terry Norwood will work to provide the well-managed, fiscally responsible, and solution-focused school district that PUSD deserves.   As recent PTSA President of RBHS, Norwood strengthened parents’ engagement in their children’s education, encouraged students to take ownership in their school, fostered a supportive environment for teachers and staff, and partnered with businesses to form a cohesive network. 

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Norwood is passionate about continuing to strengthen families and our community.   She will work tirelessly to bring balanced respectful leadership to our district. 

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Vote Norwood 4 School Board November 6th, 2018!

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MANAGING PUSD.

The hardest decision you will have to make as a parent might not be selecting the next superintendent for PUSD but it will certainly be one of the most decisive.

 

In a district that ‘hold(s) high expectations for all students’, it’s a shame the leadership isn’t holding themselves to the same expectations.  Parents, teachers, students, and support services staff should demand an open discussion for the selection of the next superintendent.

 

PUSD is on a slippery slope.  If the right leadership is not selected for our district, we will continue to slide into major dysfunctionality, perhaps even bankruptcy.  Qualified people should be hired for their positions so that consultants are not hired to do their jobs.  No more good ole boy system where knowing someone makes you qualified.  Yes, it STILL EXISTS. To allow your boss to get away with illegal actions is morally unacceptable, besides unethical. With our budgets as tight as they are how can someone in a leadership position allow this to happen?  And not just once!  I’m not just talking about the person who asked for someone to manipulate paperwork; I’m also talking about the employee who processed the paperwork. These practices along with fiscal irresponsibility with bonds is what will lead our district into bankruptcy if not managed properly now.

 

Yes, you have a say in who our next Superintendent should be. Maybe not specifically sitting in the meeting with staff looking over resumes but with emails, phone calls, and a meeting with the school board.  Yes, you can request a town meeting with the President of the school board to listen to your voice on what you expect of the leader, the director, of your child’s education.

 

While you are in the town meeting, ask about the people who have been hired without qualifications and why they were hired.  Talk about how the board plans to present a budget that will pay for debt while continuing to educate your child at the standards they deserve, at the standards PUSD is known for. With the income at present PUSD will not be able to make the first payment of the bond come 2021 unless fiscal integrity is paramount.

 

The real challenge is to find a leader that can manage finances, academics, and people. Without taking into consideration all the constituents’ voices represented, there can be no fair hiring of a leader.  The school board members who make this decision are elected by YOU. This is an election season you must participate in.

 

If ‘achieving excellence in all we do’ is part of our core values at Poway Unified School District then stand united my ‘parents as partners,’ teachers, students, and community members. Let your school board know you want your voice to be heard now and at the election polls, November 6th.

 

*Terry Norwood is a parent of two children who recently graduated from PUSD.  She has been a family advocate for over 20 years and participated on the District Advisory Council, School Site Council, and Foundation. As President of the RBHS PTSA, she rejuvenated participation integrating parents, teachers, students, and the community with a motto of Staying Connected. She is running for PUSD school board this year.  If you would like to discuss this article, she can be reached at Norwood4SchoolBoard@gmail.com.

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