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Julie Mikuta, candidate for
District 1 (Wards 1 and 2) Board of Education member in the
November 7, 2000, General Election
Parents United for DC Public Schools Questionnaire, October 2000

Vote No. 7

Julie Mikuta

Board of Education
District 1 (Wards 1 & 2)

 Committee to Elect Julie Mikuta
1436 Meridian Place, NW, #306
Washington, DC 20010
202-232-6413 202-429-0020 fax www.juliemikuta.com

Dear Voter:

On November 7, you will make a critical decision that will affect the future of DC Public Schools when you cast your vote for your representative on the Board of Education. My name is Julie Mikuta and I am running for the District 1 seat on the Board of Education. I chose to run for the school board because our public schools are failing our city's children. I have devoted my career to teaching and education policy and have the skills and the passion to be part of the solution to our failing schools.

In my senior year at Georgetown University, as captain of the women's basketball team, I forfeited a full athletic scholarship to work with an organization that develops early childhood education materials and worked with several DC elementary schools. After graduating, I taught science in a public high school in New Orleans and gained a fundamental understanding of the needs of public schools and the untapped potential of the children they serve.

A Rhodes scholarship took me to Oxford University where I learned about education policy first hand from policy makers and school leaders in seven countries. Once back in the District, I helped found and taught at the SEED Public Charter School, a college preparatory boarding school for DC students. I am currently an education policy consultant and a doctoral candidate in International Education, with a focus on implementing assessment reforms.

I want to represent you and D.C.'s children on the Board of Education because I know I can bring the right combination of experience and the skills to actually get things done. I am not running for this seat as a stepping stone to a higher office and believe there is no room for politics on the board. Education is my passion, and the Board of Education needs members with solid education policy backgrounds.

While campaigning over the past three months, I have met many parents, teachers, children, and others who care deeply about the education DC's children receive. Their perspectives have been valuable. As a Board member, I will continue to work with the people of Wards 1 and 2 to ensure that their needs are being met.

I am honored to have the support of Mayor Anthony Williams and the endorsements of Ward I Councilmember Jim Graham and Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans. Each has given me important advice and shares my sincere commitment to improve the quality of education throughout the District of Columbia.

I want to have the opportunity to work for you and your children over the next four years. I ask for your vote on November 7. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Julie Mikuta

PS Please see the enclosed insert for an outline of my experience and positions and visit my website at wwwjuliemikuta.com to learn about my ideas in greater detail.

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Julie Mikuta, Doug Disrud, Treasurer

Vote No. 7

Julie Mikuta

Board of Education
District 1 (Wards 1 & 2)

Look who's supporting Julie

Mayor Anthony Williams

"As a resident of Ward z, I support Julie because of her passionate commitment to children, her understanding of the challenges facing DC public schools, and her record of getting things done for DC kids."

Jim Graham, Ward 1 Councilmember

"Julie has the right combination of relevant experience and passion to not only win this race, but also to be a topnotch school board member. I strongly endorse her candidacy."

Jack Evans, Ward 2 Councilmember

"Julie's solid background in education policy makes her the right person for the Board of Education. We need people like her who not only care deeply about children, but also have the skills to make our school system work better. I urge voters in Wards 1 and 2 to vote for Julie."

PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT JULIE MIKUTA, DOUG DISRUD, TREASURER

Julie's goals for DC schools:

Improve achievement so that every student graduates prepared to enter college or the workforce

  • Increase rigor of curriculum, add more courses, and make remedial and summer school programs effective
  • Develop and maintain effective programs for students with limited English proficiency
  • Upgrade technology in all schools
  • Improve monitoring and support of special education program

Make DC schools' workforce the envy of the nation

  • Create a network of master teachers and principals who mentor their peers
  • Recruit, hire and retain outstanding teachers and principals throughout DC
  • Provide teachers and principals with resources and systems so they can focus on teaching and learning

Strengthen community involvement and make schools more responsive to the community

  • Strengthen Local School Restructuring Teams (LSRTs) to increase accountability of schools to parents and parents to schools
  • Improve linkages between schools, business, and community organizations
  • Celebrate success of students, teachers, and schools

Improve infrastructure so schools focus on the teaching and learning processes

  • Plan and follow-through upon effective 1, 3, and 5-year facilities program
  • Support the infrastructure needs of charter schools
  • Increase effectiveness of technology at all levels

To learn more specifics about Julie and her goals, call (202) 232-6413 or visit www.juliemikuta.com


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