CNCS Board Election Candidates

Each year 1/3 of the Board of City Neighbors Charter School is up for election.
The Elections Time Line is as follows:
Nominations open April 6
Nominations close April 16
Candidates announced April 26
Elections will be held on May 19. The deadline for absentee ballots is 3:30 pm

In 2010 the positions up for election are:                Frequently Asked Questions
Click on each position to read each candidates statement

Vice President The Vice President is Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Anny Kezar
Lyn Townes
Carolyn Hayes

Director of Community Relations The Director of Community Relations is responsible for outreach and developing relationships within the School and between the community and the School.

Trinisa Brown

Treasurer The Treasurer is the Chair of the Finance Committee and insures compliance with the school's Fiscal policies.

Rob Noble

Candidates for Vice President:

,
Anny Kezar Lyn Townes Carolyn Hayes
Why do you want to be on the Board of Directors at our school?
I truly enjoyed my brief tenure as the Fundraising Chair last year and hope that my experience as Team Leader for Johns Hopkins Bayview Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Partners in Leadership Mentor, and 24 years of successful fiscal and clinical management in education psych programming would prove useful to the CNCS school community. City Neighbors Charter School has been apart of my family for the last five years and continues to play a vital role in my children's education. I want to be apart of this board where Parents, Faculty and Students work together and support one another in the continuing mission of the school, "to provide an extraordinary public school education with high academic achievement for all students."(From CITY NEIGHBORS CHARTER SCHOOL MISSION) I love City Neighbors. I think I can contribute a lot in continuing operations of CNCS. I was asked.
What qualities that you value do you bring to the Board?
A true respect for the Charter School educational philosophy and opportunities it provides, as well as, a sense of humor, ability to analyze issues, use of sound judgment, task completion and commitment! I'm fair, I'm honest, and I enjoy working with a diverse group of people working together to fulfill a common goal. I embrace "the City Neighbors Way". I am creative, believe in consensus decision-making, and believe in openness and inclusion. I have a passion for education.
What do you like best about City Neighbors?
The genuine liveliness of the community we're making. Accessibility. Whenever I have a suggestion, question or concern, I can easily reach The Principle, The Teachers and or The Board when and if needed ready to assist however they can. The strong sense of working together for our kids and our sense of community. The fact that our faculty, parents, and children all feel empowered in their roles at the school.
What do you hope to work on for next year?
Expanding on the exciting work happening in each committee, supporting the Board with ongoing improvement strategies and securing fiscal stability. I know that the VP works with the Diversity Committee and the Inclusion Committee. I would like to continue the work of the two groups in "creating an environment that values all people of any ability, age, family structure, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status."(From CITY NEIGHBORS CHARTER SCHOOL STATEMENT ON DIVERSITY Diversity and Inclusion- I have served on Diversity Committee for several years and helped write the Diversity Statement for the school. I hope to continue to grow our understanding and embrace our differences and strengths and make sure all families feel part of our community.
Additional thoughts or comments
I have done other volunteer roles at CNCS- from Engineering Clubs to play production, from the Diversity Committee to trips to Annapolis and the City Council on behalf of CNCS and charter schools. In my work life, I have served on several non-profit boards and many community initiatives. I have a manufacturing business and HR background.

Candidate for Director of Community Relations:

Trinisa Brown
Why do you want to be on the Board of Directors at our school?
I have served the school and families in many ways. I will add my experience of seeing a dream continue to grow. I feel I am available to the families that are a little too busy to get as involved as they would like. I will help to keep them connected.
What qualities that you value do you bring to the Board?
I am fair, honest, open and helpful to all. Everyone has something good to offer.
What do you like best about City Neighbors?
My children have been a part of CNCS since the first day. I feel like we are family and not just a school.
What do you hope to work on for next year?
My hope is to bring new people and new idea to the committee.
Additional thoughts or comments
I know all of the children and a good number of parents. Please support me in continuing to make City Neighbors School a great experience for the whole family.

Candidate for Treasurer:

Rob Noble
Why do you want to be on the Board of Directors at our school?
To insure the school is financially sound and is always aware of its fiscal position. And to also help the school realize its long term goal of being a high performing charter school in the city.
What qualities that you value do you bring to the Board?
I have 20 years of experience in the Banking Industry. I also act as a Financial Consultant to several of the other charter schools on Baltimore City. I've also been the Treasurer for City Neighbors for several years now.
What do you like best about City Neighbors?
I like the neighborhood feel to the school. I like the fact that the parents have basically built the school from the ground up.
What do you hope to work on for next year?
I'd like to develop the long term financial model that supports the growth/build-out of the school over the next five years
Additional thoughts or comments

Frequently Asked Questions:
Where can I find out more about the candidates?
Each candidate will post a short biography and statement on the Parent Board outside of Hightman Hall. This information will also be published in a Monday Mailer prior to election. Finally the information will also be posted on the ELECTION page or our web page.
When is the Election?
The Election is Wednesday, May 19, 2010 starting at 6:00 PM
Who can vote?


Why is it one ballot per child?
We need to be sure we have a quorum in order to make our election legal according to our by laws. Because of the diversity in the makeup of our families, (one parent, two parent, blended families split families, guardians, etc.) it would be hard to determine ahead of time just how many eligible voters there might be. However, we do know how many students we have. So our quorum is the number of students plus the number of staff who are at least 1/2 time employees. While it is true that some families will have more votes than other families based on their family makeup, it is also true that families with multiple children have a larger investment in the future of our school.
Do I have to sign my name on my vote?
No. We simply need to make sure we identify each family that has voted. You don't have to sign the ballot.
How do I vote?
The best way to vote is in person on Election Night, May 19. Absentee ballots will also go out with the Monday Mailer on May 17. Registered voters, as described above, will be checked out at the election table that night, and then be able to cast their ballot. The ballot itself will remain confidential.
Can I vote by absentee ballot?
Yes. Absentee ballots must be registered by April in the office. You may use the ballot from the May 17 Monday Mailer or request another from her. Return your ballot in the envelope with your child's name on it so that she can verify the registration. We will take ballot from the envelope and place it in the voting box. Your ballot will remain folded until the vote count to protect the confidentiality of your vote.
Absentee ballots may be submitted starting May 17.
The deadline for absentee ballots is Election Day, May 19 at 3:30 PM.


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