At-large candidate to continue bid for MPS BoardIn the wake of an eventful DFL City Convention, Chanda Smith Baker has announced she is staying the course of the race until the end!
"After consulting with my family, team and supporters, I decided it was imperative for me to stay in the race!” said Baker. “Since the convention, we’ve had tremendous outpouring of support for which I am truly appreciative! I am excited, energized and ready to WIN!"
Since the convention, Baker has received overwhelming support by many community members and civic leaders, including former School Board candidate David DeGrio, who has joined the Chanda Smith Baker campaign as a co-chair. Degrio, formerly endorsed by the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT) is a chemistry teacher, director of Stonewall DFL and serves on the Minnesota Department of Education Curriculum Standards committee.
"I support Chanda Smith Baker because she brings diversity of perspective that no other candidate --neither currently serving, nor currently running-- can provide to Minneapolis Public Schools. Chanda has extensive experience in policy, governance, organization management and community engagement. She lends a unique voice as to why parents have chosen to leave our district and she can help create solutions to bring those families back.
“It is time for a new generation of leadership and Chanda is exactly the kind of leader Minneapolis needs to bring together our district stakeholders and community partners to develop new solutions to old problems,” said Degrio in a recently-issued statement.
As the campaign gears up for the August Primary, Baker has announced Peggy Clark as her campaign manager, Tene Wells as fundraising chair, Anika Robbins remains as media and marketing coordinator and Tamara Rogers as Treasurer. “I extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to those who have supported me and continue to do so,” said Baker. “We have a winning team and we are fired up and ready to go!”
In a competitive race that included eight candidates vying for two at-large seats on the MPS board and DFL endorsement, only one candidate was endorsed. Subsequent voting-and eventual blocking (as none of the remaining candidates secured more than 60% of the vote) resulted in no endorsement of a second candidate.
“I entered the race because I felt I could be a voice of reason, an advocate for children and families,” said Baker. Not just for North Minneapolis, but for all the children and families that MPS serves. The board is in dire need of leaders who will set standards and hold themselves and others accountable to those standards. I want voters to be assured of my ability and intent to govern while representing their interests with my full assurance that I have their children’s-and my children’s-best interests at heart.”
Baker, a mother of five children, four of which are school-aged, shares much in common with today’s parent. Common ground coupled with continuous experience as an educator, community partner and administrator are experiences she hopes to leverage as a steward of the board.
Baker’s campaign continues to gain momentum as it gears up for the Primary August 10, 2010. She continues to gain support and endorsements including IAM local #1833, Women Winning, SEIU and many past and current school board members and elected officials. For more information, visit www.chandaforschoolboard.org
