With Gratitude For Your Support...

To the team -- we did it!!!

I want to Thank All those that supported Alex, Jameelah and myself. This journey has been both educational and personally transforming.

Along the way we encountered both good and bad energy, but I have to say the positive experiences with the community outweighed the negative by such a large margin that it's hardly worth mentioning.

There was a certain sense of frustration with the state of our school system amongst the voters we engaged. We would like to let you know that your concerns have not fallen on deaf ears. We will not be the type of Elected Officials that come to you when we need your vote then disappear to carry on with their own personal concerns.

We would like to let you know that we are going to stay engaged, encourage constructive discourse and seek to tap the vast wealth of collective knowledge that I know Plainfield has to offer.

I know that we are all individuals with our own intimate concerns; however we must all keep in our thoughts that we are members of the greater community of Plainfield.

If we all register to vote, making it a priority to research the candidates, and come out to elect only the best individuals to office we will be steps closer to obtaining what should be our goal of having a well governed city with efficient services and a Top Tier educational system.

Again, we 'Thank You' for the support and trust you have placed in us "Let's Elevate!"

Sincerely,
Education to the 3rd Power

Dorien Hurtt
Alex Edache
Jameelah Surgeon

Now Let The REAL Work Begin!

Continue the MOMENTUM!!!

The Plainfield Truth

Plainfield must vote for change in school board elections

....I could go on and on, but the bottom line is, if Lenny Cathcart was sitting next to me at a table I would ask him one question: "Exactly what time YESTERDAY do you think I was born?" Who in their right mind would vote for you to be on the school board based on your performance as a member of the school board? Anybody who votes for Lenny Cathcart must be some NEW KIND of fool.

JAY JEFFERSON COOKE
(Click Title For Full Article)

Because OUR CHILDREN Deserve the BEST!

It should come as no surprise that I am supporting Edache, Hurtt and Surgeon for the Board of Education. Why? It is really quite simple. The Grand S.L.A.M. (School Leadership Advocacy Movement) came to the Board with momentum and direction and to date we have helped:


• To set-up a system that considers and utilizes internal candidates
• Foster an environment that is fair and equable
• Reassess HR Function

         o Reestablish Process and Procedures

• Install mechanisms for accountability from the top down

• To begin to change the culture of fear to one of trust and cooperation

• Establish Community Engagement and Respect at BOE Meetings

          o Start Meetings On-Time

          o Defuse Hostility during Public Meetings

          o Respond to community concerns in a timely manner

                          Barack Obama Relocation
                          Genesis Issue
                          PHS Assembly

• Develop community and school partnerships

         o PTO Superintendent Roundtable

         o 10,000 Voices for Peace Initiative

         o 1st Annual Multicultural Festival

         o Youth Summit 2011

• Investigate New Educational Platforms

         o Hydroponic Gardens

         o Social Networking Classrooms

• Cost Savings Initiatives

         o Legal Services consolidation based on specialization

         o Vendor Contract Assessment and Evaluation (Best Price/Highly Qualified)

         o Green Energy Technology

• Policy Assessment

         o Parent Involvement Policy (Working Team Established)

         o Social Networking (Working Team Established)

In a year’s time we have lead and/or supported these initiatives in an effort to move our district forward. It is my position that these three candidates will help to continue this momentum.

They are intelligent, energetic and committed to being a part of the solution. They have the educational and professional know-how to assess and critically think through the decisions that will need to be made to improve our school system.

Our children DESERVE the opportunity to have a Board of Education full of members that will promote and fight for their academic welfare. It’s more than just caring. You have to have the skills to write a strategic plan, develop critical path initiatives, follow through and sustain momentum.

In the past 9 years we have had nothing but instabililty. No movement, no upward momentum! The greatest detriment to our children’s education at this point in time – is failure to change!

Elect: Edache (1)

            Surgeon (2)

        Hurtt (4)

– It is more than just a FRESH Perspective –
It is Competent, Committed, Qualified Candidates!

Youth Summit 2011 - Line Up!