February 5, 2003

When I was on the School Board, the opening portion of the meeting was devoted to Public Comment. From time to time a young man would come before the Board with testimony and a concern. He was always well dressed, articulate, and focused on the issue at hand. He was also very firm and spoke with great conviction. I was always struck with how well he had researched his presentation and how he succinctly presented a rationale that demanded the attention of every Board member. That young man is the person I present to you today. It is a distinct pleasure and honor to be in the presence of Brian Wheeler.

In addition to being articulate, well prepared and informed, Brian brings some special qualities that are precursors to being a successful At-Large Albemarle County School Board Member. Let me review a few of them for you.

1. He knows the School Division Brian has sat in on most Board meetings, as a concerned observer, over the past three years. He is active in his children's PTO and appears before the School Board and Board of Supervisors to express his views and concerns as an advocate for children. To quote the Daily Progress, Brian is a "fixture at the public hearings and meetings on education.

2. He has created an Internet newsletter that concerns itself with the well-being of Albemarle school children Brian's newsletter is informative with out being inflammatory. His primary focus in the newsletter is to provide information and advocacy for children. Not gossip and snide commentary as practiced by the incumbent At-Large member.

3. He understands the relationship between the Superintendent and the School Board. Brian wants to work as a member the partnership with the Superintendent and the School Board. He understands that the joint responsibility for development and implementation of school governance results in the Board developing policy and the Superintendent executing it. Brian understands that the operational matters of the School Division are the responsibility of the Superintendent. Brian understands that the successes and failures of the School Division are shared by the Superintendent and the School Board.

4. He advocates for teacher and staff salaries that are above market Brian knows that a quality School Division does not market itself as "one who pays its faculty and staff at the "mid-point" of market salaries in the region". In providing for a quality School Division, Brian wants to recruit and retain school employees and teachers on a "quality" salary range, that is one above the mean of the competitive market.

5. He understands what it means to be a caring employer. Brian understands that as a business man who is currently in the workforce, the most valuable commodity in the organization are the employees. The employees need assurance that the School Board is a caring employer and will not seek to embarrass them in the disclosure of personal personnel matters that affect the well-being of employee morale.

6. He is long-time advocate for full funding of the School Budget request Brian understands that the role of the School Board, in the absence of taxing authority, must be as honest brokers for the needs of the School Division. He knows that compromising on budget requests, before the fact of budget approval, is not the role of the School Board member. He understands that the role of the School Board is to present the full needs of the School Division to the Board of Supervisors.

We in Albemarle County are fortunate to have Brian Wheeler as a candidate for the At-Large member seat on the Albemarle County School Board. I urge all concerned citizens, throughout the County, who desire an outstanding School Division that provides a quality education for all our children to support and vote for Brian Wheeler. We in fact, are already in debt to Brian for all that he has done for the County and our children in so many "unofficial" ways. I support him because he is an advocate for children and quality education. Brian is an exceptional candidate. His energy and dedication have already earned him recognition and respect at School Board meetings and public hearings. I have no doubt he will serve effectively on the Albemarle County School Board. Now let's bring him into the governance structure of the Albemarle County School Division by making him the next At-Large representative on the Albemarle County School Board.

Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you a man of vision, energy and uncommon dedication and the next At-Large Member of the Albemarle County School Board, Brian Wheeler !!