|
BlueSky Charter School 2008 Elections BlueSky Charter School is organized as a non-profit corporation governed by a 5 person elected board. This year, two positions are up for election on the board. By state law, governing boards of charter schools must have a majority of licensed teachers employed at the school as board members. The other members can be employees of the school, enrolled students age 18 or older, parents/guardians of enrolled students, or community members demonstrating support for BlueSky’s mission and vision. Only one vote per family is allowed. To request a ballot, please follow one of the following two procedures: 1. Email Mitch Kahring at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Please give your name, address, and whether you are an enrolled student age 18 or older, a parent/guardian of an enrolled student, a staff member, or a community member. Remember that each family has ONE vote. Mitch will verify your information, and email you a ballot. Please print it, and mark your ballot accordingly. Return your hard copy ballot to: BlueSky Elections Committee Suite 300 33 Wentworth Avenue East West St. Paul, Minnesota 55118 You may return the ballot by first class mail, or in person at the above address. Please place your ballot in a sealed envelope addressed as above. 2. Request a ballot IN PERSON from Mitch Kahring at the BlueSky office in West St. Paul. Please mark your ballot, and either mail them to the above address, or simply place them in the ballot box on Mitch’s desk. Ballots must be received by November 13, 2008. Ballots will be counted by a 3 person committee in the offices of BlueSky at 9 a.m. November 14, 2008. This counting process is open to members of the BlueSky community. The results of the election will be announced and verified at the BlueSky Board of Directors meeting at BlueSky School offices on Nov. 14, 2008 at 12:00 noon. Newly elected directors will take office at the first BlueSky Board of Directors meeting in January of 2009. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact Tom Ellis,
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Thank you. Candidates There are two positions open. One for a licensed teacher at BlueSky; and one for a staff person, enrolled student 18 years old or older, parent/guardian, or community member. Vote for one (1) in each category. Vote for One (1) Licensed Teacher 
Gaia Buttweiler Name: Gaia Buttweiler Phone: 320-291-8711 Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Please indicate if teacher, counselor, social worker, office staff, parent, student or describe other relationship to BlueSky: Teacher What skills would you would bring to the BlueSky board? I am able to collaborate, discuss, and work respectfully with a team. I believe I have sound judgment, solid communication skills, and am prepared and organized. What experiences would you bring to the BlueSky board? I have prior experience serving as a board member at Lakes Area Charter School. I am also a parent and have been involved in education for 14 years. If you are an employee of BlueSky, how do you expect to be able to separate your role as a board member from that of a staff member? It is important to not have a single-focus, but rather to keep a broad view of the district, policies, and goals. How long have you been involved with BlueSky? Do you have any other charter school experiences? This is my third year with BlueSky Charter School. Prior to starting at BlueSky in February of 2007, I taught for 3 years at a small charter school in Osakis, Minnesota. Why do you wish to serve as a BlueSky director? I want to be involved in the future of BlueSky Charter School. I would like to serve on the board and believe the purpose of the school board is to help the leaders of the school focus attention and resources where they are most needed and to adopt policies that give the district direction to set priorities and achieve its goals. Vote for One (1) Staff Person, Parent/ Guardian, Student 18 or older, or Community member. 
Misun Bormann Name: Misun Bormann Phone: 320-309-4536 Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Please indicate if teacher, counselor, social worker, office staff, parent, student or describe other relationship to BlueSky: I am currently a licensed K-12 school counselor with BlueSky. What skills would you would bring to the BlueSky board? Some of my skills include being a group facilitator, individual/group counseling skills, coordinating the services of multiple people and agencies, data collection, conflict management, project management, time management, organizational skills, and being an advocate for parents and students. What experiences would you bring to the BlueSky board? Throughout my life I have been involved in volunteer opportunities. From being a big sister for Big Brother/Sisters to serving on the MN State Children’s Advisory Council, my passion is helping children and teens. I also spent a year of service as an AmeriCorps Member, helping to make a difference in our local community. My professional experiences include working in the private business sector in management and sales for approximately 7 years. I then did a career change and went back to school to get my M.S degree for school counseling. This will be my 8th year working as a school counselor, focusing specifically on “at-risk” students, and advocating for their needs. I have also served on many different committees in the school and community. Some of these include SST (Student Study Team) or Child Study Team, Site Committee, Curriculum Committee, Diversity Committee, 9th Grade Transition Team, School to Work Council, Southern MN Community Success Advisory Council, MN State Children’s Advisory Council, and the Vision Quest Team at BlueSky. I am also a mom of three young children, with my oldest having ADHD. I understand the challenges of being a parent in advocating for your child’s educational needs, and hope that experience will help me be a voice to all parents and students. If you are an employee of BlueSky, how do you expect to be able to separate your role as a board member from that of a staff member? As a school counselor/staff member, I have specific duties and responsibilities I need to execute as part of my job. A major portion of that is to work with students and families individually to find success at school, home, and community. As a board member I realize my role is to take into account the feedback I may get from those families along with staff, and bring their voices to the table. As a school counselor I am involved in the day to day operations of our school, and as a board member I see my role as looking at the bigger picture of our school (i.e. finances, human relations, guiding our school into the future and staying true to our vision…). How long have you been involved with BlueSky? Do you have any other charter school experiences? This will be my second year with BlueSky as a school counselor. I do not have any other charter school experience, although I worked with an ALC (Alternative Learning Center) for two years as a school counselor. Why do you wish to serve as a BlueSky director? Throughout my life I have firmly believed in getting involved. I remember once reading somewhere “if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” Between that and the AmeriCorps philosophy of “making a difference,” I truly hold firm to the belief that I can help make our schools, communities and world a better place by getting involved. I have also always felt passion for helping children and teens, and advocating for their needs. My hope is as a BlueSky director I can use my life experiences, relationships with students, families, and our staff to help our school be true to our vision, and help guide our school into the future as a premier on-line school! |
BlueSky Online
