Candidate for
Board Member; Princeton City School District

My name is Tawana Lynn Keels. I was born and raised in Woodlawn, graduating from Princeton in 1978. I obtained a B.S. Degree from Indiana University, with majors in Public Finance, Personnel/Labor Relations and Policy & Administration. A resident of Springdale, I have two students enrolled in Princeton Schools, a high school senior and a fourth grade student at R.E.L.I.S. I am asking for your vote for re-election to the Princeton Board of Education. I bring Leadership, Experience, Achievement and Dedication to the Board.

Leadership: Improving student achievement will continue to be the top priority for our district. We are positioned to move from Continuous Improvement to Effective on the State Report Card. As we continue to implement curriculum improvements, student test scores will continue to increase.

In addition to serving as President and Vice President of the Princeton School Board, I have held several leadership positions on state and national committees. In 2004, I will serve as President of the Ohio School Boards Association.

Experience: My experience as a Systems Engineer at IBM Corporation will allow me to help develop the district's aggressive plan to build or renovate eight elementary schools in five years. I have been involved in budgeting, design and implementation of complex projects involving multiple vendors. My project management skills, finance experience and extensive boardsmanship experience will help to guide each project to successful completion.

I serve as the legislative liaison for Princeton, and Chair the State Legislative Committee. Unfunded mandates and legislative decisions affect the bottom line, your tax dollars. I will continue to take a proactive role, monitoring local, state and national legislation that impacts you, the taxpayer.

Achievement: The Princeton District has recognized my involvement by awarding me with the Princeton Dream Keeper Award. In addition, my fellow Princeton board members recognized me by presenting a Resolution in November 2002, highlighting my "...desire to help children through meaningful participation in school governance initiatives and support of public education in the State of Ohio." I have been recognized for Outstanding Dedication and School Boardsmanship and received the Ohio School Boards Association Award of Achievement.

Dedication: My dedication and commitment to our schools and our children goes beyond the boardroom, to the classroom where I am a parent volunteer. Working together, we will continue to grow and develop outstanding educational programs for our children.

On November 4, vote for Tawana Lynn Keels.