Candidate: Colleen Conklin

Colleen Believes: -children should be the center of all educational efforts and reforms. -children must be motivated to become active, lifelong learners. -rigorous and relevant curriculum will prepare children to live, learn, work, and communicate in the 21st Century. She supports and encourages the district to continue to move towards a one to one technology initiative, connecting students and families 24/7. -we should increase STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) programs in our elementary schools. -in supporting the Flagler Youth strings program and programs that support the arts in education. -we need to aggressively address the issue of gangs in our community by creating a county wide task force to tackle this community concern. -in supporting substance abuse referral and suicide prevention programs for students. -in the need to have open communication between the classroom, school and home. -we must encourage and support after-school tutoring for those in need and enrichment programs for those excelling. -in total financial transparency. -elected officials closest to their constituents have the right and responsibility to exercise constitutional control to manage and operate our district. -legislative decisions concerning the education and welfare of young people can best be made with informed input from district stakeholders. -training and communication are essential for organizational change and professional growth. -federal and state governments along with the Department of Education should provide adequate resources to support local school boards\' responsibilities to their community. -strategic partnerships throughout Flagler will be required to meet the needs of students and families.  -we need to support our Adult Education and Technical Institute in Flagler County to meet the growing needs of our community. Colleen believes that while brick and mortar issues and our budget are important, we must NEVER lose sight of the academic, social, emotional and physical growth of our children. We need to continue to look at programs and policies that address the whole child. If we are striving to be the best of the best, we need to focus on more than FCAT. We must ensure our students become productive members of our society and are ready and able to compete in the global market place. Relevant Experience & Leadership Positions Flagler County School Board Member 2000-present Responsible for the: •Advocacy of students, families and staff •Structure and Accountability of System •Financial well-being of the System •Enforcement of policies and procedures Chairwoman from 2006-2008 *Established the following Board Committees from the GAP Commission: Exceptional Education, Minority and Pre-K education, as well as a Conservation and Wellness Committees *Initiated \"Coffee with the Board\" Final year of chairmanship - 2008 the only time Flagler County achieved straights A’s across the board and was the first “A” rated school district in the state to do so. Florida School Boards Association • Member of Executive Committee, Treasurer, Member at Large, and Board of Directors • Chair – State-Wide Advocacy Committee Responsible for the first, three statewide initiatives for Public Schools in Florida • Chair- State Federal Relations Network – Organized legislative visit to DC for statewide members • Vice Chair – State Legislative Committee Legislative Liaison Assisted in developing legislative platform and lobbying programs Actively participated in various state wide-committees: Multicultural, By-Laws, Training etc. North East Florida School Boards Coalition • Founded coalition in 2004 to advocate with state/national leaders on educational issues shared by North East Florida School Districts • Presented educational issues to State Legislators and Florida’s Tax Watch • Worked effectively with educational organizations and parent groups to align the No Child Left Behinds’ Compliance Plan, Adequate Funding for Education and a variety of other educational issues Florida School Labor Relations Association • Past Chair Conducted Board of Director Meetings Responsible to oversee budget, FSLR expectations and work with Executive Director Social and Civic Commitments Teens-N-Flight Founding member of the Flagler Beach Christian Surfers Boys and Girls Club of Volusia/Flagler County George Washington Carver Foundation/Board of Directors Flagler Habitat for Humanity •Board of Directors 2001-2006 Appointed member of Flagler County Educational Impact Fee Committee Appointed member of Flagler County Futures Committee