Elected leadership in public service is about asking questions and being a good listener to YOU. It is about being at the board table when issues are being considered while you are taking care of your family and what makes up your life and responsibilities. It is about being willing to accept both praise and criticism…because it involves our students, teachers, parents, community, special interest groups, politicians, and educational leaders. On almost every issue that has, or will, come before the board, any one or all of these invested groups will have something at stake in the consideration and final determination that we make on the Minnetonka School Board. I always want to be a resource who is someone you can trust. Someone who you know is more interested in YOUR opinion than telling you mine.
While many people are inspired to run for public service, not everyone is cut out to deal with the realities of what this service expects:
- You are no longer a private citizen.
- You are not going to please everyone.
- You may not always be in agreement with other elected members.
- You must commit yourself to thousands of hours of research and reading.
- You must be willing to listen, respectfully…even when you may not agree.
- You must be willing to stand up for people even when you are being torn down.
- You must be willing to spend time away from your family and work to do the job.
- You must be willing to stand-alone when your values are more important than being popular.
- You must accept this fact: When you speak, you only say what you know; when you listen, you may learn something new”.
In my opinion, if you are not prepared to accept these realities you will probably not be an effective nor happy public servant.
The Founders vision for the United States of America believed that the education of all our citizens through government public schools was/is the only way our representative republic can/will function and survive. I believe in the principles of a liberal arts education. Dedicated teaching professionals and leaders whose voices must be heard and whose creative input in our classrooms must be encouraged in order to deliver this broad based education. These dedicated professionals deliver this education in a manner that reaches our diverse student population, skillfully adjusting their lessons to meet diverse needs. This education is ultimately the gateway to all other learning which guides all our human actions and interactions. With these values, and on your behalf, I will continue to be on watch for any attempt to use our government schools to indoctrinate our students with belief systems or concepts that would violate the principles of our District Vision. That Vision is to help our students become critical, independent thinkers who will leave Minnetonka Public Schools with the tools to navigate their own future.
I am honored to continue to bring almost 40 years of my life experience and success to you as your representative for another 4-year term on the Minnetonka School Board.
This closing quote speaks to the great life I have enjoyed:
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." -John Quincy Adams
Enjoy the rest of your visit to my web site…and please call or e-mail me if you have questions or if I can help you in anyway.
Your devoted public servant,
Bill
William H. Wenmark, member
Minnetonka Board of Education
health1@aol.com