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Math and Science Academy

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2008 Board of Director's Candidate Statements

Cyndi Bluhm

Hello, MSA community. My name is Cyndi Bluhm, and I have lived in South Washington County with my husband, Mark, for 17 years. My oldest son, Tim, enrolled at MSA as a 6th grader and is now a sophomore. My youngest son, Kyle, is a 5th grader and will be going through the MSA enrollment process this winter. Since we're starting our 5th year as part of the MSA community and are looking forward to 7 more years, I would love the chance to learn more about MSA and use my background and skills to address some of the challenges of this school.

I was formerly a CPA in a large local accounting firm (primarily serving as an audit manager) for 10 years, and then chose to be home raising my kids and volunteering for the last 10 years. I have significant experience in finance, audit, and accounting, and have also started and run a small business. The majority of my volunteer work for the last 10 years has been education-related. I served on Grey Cloud Elementary's PTA board for 8 of the last 10 years, most recently as president. I have also coordinated many programs and events at that school over the years, served 3 years on Grey Cloud's School Improvement Team, and served on the committee to interview and assist in the selection of a new school principal in 2003. I was also treasurer of the school district's Early Childhood Family Education board for 2 years. In my community, I have been a respite care volunteer, through the county, for families of kids with disabilities. This past summer, I was co-captain of an American Cancer Society Relay for Life team in Cottage Grove.

The Math and Science Academy has been open for nearly a decade now, and I have been impressed with many things about this school. In just the 5 years that Tim has been attending MSA, I have witnessed continuing expansion in the school's music program and athletics. Theatre seems to get bigger and better every year, along with many varied extra-curricular activities. The National Honor Society does a great job of serving the community through its many events, which is a passion of mine. The kids at MSA say they like the environment of respect, the academic quality, and the familiarity of staff and fellow students. During the past several years, I have been involved at MSA in a number of ways. I have co-chaired a grade level luncheon, helped coach Math Masters and Academic Triathlon teams, served pizza and other lunch treats, assisted with the annual book fair, and hosted last year's school play cast party. MSA's annual report states that the school mission is to be "A community created and operated school that provides high expectations for all students". I believe the school does a great job fulfilling that mission. I would, however, like to help make sure that MSA does an equally great job meeting the high expectations of all its students. I would like the chance to help address the school's challenges in the areas of lack of resources for expansion (or even for operation if funding doesn't grow), and limited curriculum electives and physical space. I'm looking forward to helping MSA in any way that I can.

Craig Creeger

I am the father of two girls at MSA; Sammy is in 9th grade and Alison is in 8th grade. In addition to raising our kids with my wife, Nancy, I enjoy cooking gourmet meals, fine woodworking, and windsurfing.

I've taken advantage of several volunteering opportunities at MSA such as building the stage for the school play the last two years, chaperoning field trips, coaching Lego robotics since 2005, and assisting during the recent Technology Drive.

I'm running for the Board of Directors this year because I'd like to take my involvement to the next level. I feel that the teachers, administrators, and past BOD members have done a great job of getting the school into a position of envy amongst other public schools. Certainly, there are challenges that lie ahead, and I'd like to be part of the solution. I'd do this by drawing upon my years of professional experience and keeping the communication channel open with all the other MSA parents.

Anil Mehta

I have just completed my first two year term on the Board.
The school continues to face many challenges, both long and short term, but I am confident the MSA community will thrive.
It has been my privilege to be a part of this process and hopefully this will continue for the upcoming term.

Best regards,
Anil

Darrel Smith

My name is Darrel Smith and I am the father of a sixth grader here at the Math and Science Academy. I am seeking a position on the Board of Directors as I feel that it will utilize both my professional experiences and my educational background. I am employed by The Arts Institutes International Minnesota (AiM). During the past 5 ½ years there at AiM I have held many positions. Currently I am the Self-Study Coordinator for our Higher Learning Commission accreditation. I have also been in charge of the online programs offered by AiM as the Online Advocate. Throughout my tenure at AiM, I have always been an instructor. My primary program of teaching is Culinary Arts as I am also a classically trained chef. In addition to Culinary Arts I have taught both on-campus and online courses in Hospitality Management, Web Design and Interactive Media/e-learning, and liberal arts.

My educational background consists of a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Distance Learning (MAED). I am currently finishing my dissertation in order to complete Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Argosy University. The dissertation should be completed by mid December of this year. Both my Associate's and Bachelor's degrees are in Culinary and Hospitality.

I look forward to everything that the Math and Science Academy has to offer my son as he continues on his path of education. I am confident that if I am elected to the Board of Directors that I will be able to help maintain the reputation and traditions that MSA has set while helping to bring a new and fresh outlook based on my professional and educational background to help MSA continue raising the bar by which other schools only wish to achieve.