Endorsements:
Robbinsdale Federation of Teachers
SunPost Letters of Support:
Vote for Johnson
(Created: Thursday, October 29, 2009)
To the editor:
Please vote for Linda Johnson for School Board on Nov. 3. Linda's education, intellect, experience and willingness to do her homework make her a most effective School Board member. She champions accountability for results, both academic and financial. Linda believes in providing our teachers with additional tools and training to help them better understand the learning needs of all students and challenge each student. She is emphatic on the need to evaluate the financial implications of decisions. Linda pushes for more transparency so we all may understand more about our district and the reasons behind School Board decisions.
Linda believes there has been good progress towards achieving the district's strategic plan over this past year, but there is a need for continuous improvement. This is not a time to accept what is, but instead a time to challenge all of us to help improve academic achievement for all students.
All board members are involved in many district and other committees. However, Linda takes this a big step further. She makes a point of talking with people who have a range of views on matters under review by the board. Linda's willingness to listen to and understand others' perspectives is something our School Board cannot afford to lose. It's easy to hear the opinions of those in agreement, but much more difficult to actively and respectfully listen to those with much different views. Please ensure we keep this openness on the board by voting for Linda Johnson on Nov. 3.
Jackie Wells
Golden Valley
Wells is a member of the Linda for Learning volunteer committee and former chair of the district's Financial Advisory Council.
RFT supports Bomchill, Green, Johnson, Walsh
(Created: Thursday, October 22, 2009)
To the editor:
As teachers who are deeply committed to providing the best education for all students, the Robbinsdale Federation of Teachers is recommending four Robbinsdale Area School Board candidates we believe can best meet the challenges facing the public schools.
We urge voters to elect Mark Bomchill, Patsy Green, Linda Johnson and Tom Walsh on Nov. 3.
We considered all the candidates, based on their ability to make responsible decisions and be effective advocates for public education in our communities.
Bombchill, Green, Johnson and Walsh have the skills and commitment to work effectively for the Robbinsdale Area Schools.
Peter Eckhoff, president
Robbinsdale Federation of Teachers
New Hope
Supprt Linda Johnson
(Created: Unpublished letter also writing in support, Thursday October 22, 2009)
To the editor:
I am the parent of a child with special needs and I met School Board member Linda Johnson when I became involved with District 281’s Special Advisory Education Council (SEAC). Not only was she SEAC’s school board liaison at the time, she was a dedicated and involved member of the group. Through her own experiences as the parent of a child with special needs, Linda became a strong advocate for all children with special needs in our district.
Since that time, I have worked with Linda on other committees within the school district.
Linda actively listens and provides thoughtful responses. I believe these leadership skills will continue to make her a great School Board member.
Linda Johnson has my support and vote for School Board member. Linda will continue to be a strong voice in meeting the future needs of our children and staff in the district.
Nichol Sutton
New Hope
Vote for Linda Johnson
(Created: Unpublished letter also writing in support, Thursday October 22, 2009)
To the editor:
I am writing this letter to strongly encourage citizens to vote for Linda Johnson for Robbinsdale Area Schools School Board on November 3.
I have known Linda for over 20 years. As a parent and former educator in the Robbinsdale School District, I have had the opportunity to observe and work closely with the school board.
Linda is an intelligent, hard working, fair-minded school board member. Linda is not afraid to make difficult decisions. Linda Johnson does the homework, reads the research and gets input from the stakeholders. She makes decisions based on what is the right thing to do for children and what is in the best interest of the entire district.
Greta Evans-Becker
Crystal
Editors Note: Greta Evans-Becker is Principle at Meadowbrook Elementary, Hopkins ISD 270.
Vote Johnson
(Created: Thursday, September 15, 2009)
To the editor:
Please join us in electing Linda Johnson to the Robbinsdale School Board. Linda is extremely involved, competent and responsive.
Linda has always been available to school, church and community organizations as a volunteer and a leader. As a former clinical research scientist, Linda has worked diligently to establish measurable goals for District 281 and then to monitor and report about progress toward those goals.
Linda's commitment to listening to people and to communicating with them has been recognized by the Minnesota School Public Relations Association, which gave her the 2009 State School Board Communicator of the Year award.
Please help us retain this state-recognized leader by voting for Linda Johnson in November.
Teri and Bill Blonigan
Robbinsdale
Editor's Note: Bill Blonigan is a member of the Robbinsdale City Council.
Vote Johnson, Walsh
(Created: Thursday, September 24, 2009)
To the editor:
I am writing in support of the re-election of Linda Johnson and Tom Walsh to the Robbinsdale District 281 School Board.
Tom Walsh has shown, in his support of the K-6 option for the recent school reorganization, a talent that I believe we need in a board member. Even though this proposal was not adopted, in watching Tom gather information and present his case to the board I was impressed with his ability to see the major factors in an issue and develop a logical, reasonable solution to the problem. This skill will serve us well as we move forward to continuously improve our schools.
I know Linda Johnson to be a strategic thinker and responsive leader who has the skills and dedication to support our community and schools. I am impressed with the dedication she has shown in the development of our district vision and strategy, and her commitment to innovation.
It is only by being open to new ways of doing things that we will solve the problems we face, and I believe Linda to be a leader who will support problem-solving and accountability for our schools.
It is time to put aside our past disagreements regarding the referendum and school closings and come together as a community to support the educational system we all need.
I believe Tom Walsh and Linda Johnson are leaders who will play a positive role in making this happen.
George Abide
Golden Valley
Vote for Linda Johnson
(Created: Thursday, September 17, 2009)
To the editor:
Two years ago, I was a newer resident to District 281 and didn't yet have children in school, but felt it was important to become informed and engaged.
The first person I met in my quest was school board member Linda Johnson. I can't imagine a more committed, passionate and skilled person to help guide our district.
In the time I've known Linda, I've worked with her on committees and contacted her directly as a resident, parent and constituent. I've found she's a proven leader with a remarkable grasp of the budgets and systems of the district and a deep commitment to responsibly managing funds and resources. She asks hard questions and encourages sound decisions based on facts.
She's extraordinarily accessible as well. Whether by phone, e-mail or face to face, she's always willing to share information and truly listen to feedback and comments. She not only accepts such suggestions, she actively seeks out insight and opinions from her constituents.
Perhaps most importantly, Linda is deeply committed to the students of the district. As a resident, I know that she's a good steward of district funds; as a parent, I know that she's always an advocate for my son and his peers in reaching their greatest potential.
In a candidate, I look for a no-excuses leader who expects the best from others and leads by example. On Nov. 3, I hope you'll join me in voting for Linda Johnson.
Gail Vold Greco
Robbinsdale
In support of Johnson
(Created: Thursday, September 10, 2009)
To the editor:
I am very pleased to be involved in the campaign for election of Linda Johnson to the District 281 School Board.
Linda has been my friend and neighbor for many years. I have had the pleasure of working with her on several committees, boards and projects over the years.
Linda is a proven leader. She listens with intelligence and sensitivity to all points of view and opinions. She has shown her fiscal responsibility during these challenging financial times by the difficult decisions she has made on behalf of our district.
It is in the best interest of our students, district and community to continue with knowledgeable, experienced and committed school board members.
So I urge all district voters to join me in supporting Linda Johnson with your vote on Nov. 3.
Sherree Dahl, campaign manager for Linda Johnson
New Hope
Supporting Green, Johnson in 281
(Created: Thursday, September 3, 2009)
To the editor:
I enthusiastically support Linda Johnson and Patsy Green for re-election to the Robbinsdale Area School Board.
This school board has been asked to make some very difficult decisions recently and they have risen to effectively address every challenge.
These two could have decided not to run again for re-election, but they have decided to run because they truly care about the academic success of our students, positioning our district well financially for the future and for the continued vitality of our communities.
Our school district will be much better able to carry out our strategic plan with their proven leadership, vision and ability to make the hard decisions and to position us well for the future.
We need to have proven leaders like Linda and Patsy continue the work they have started.
I will be voting for Linda Johnson and Patsy Green on Nov. 3, and I encourage you to do the same.
Andrea Wiley, District 281employee
and parent of two District 281
students, Golden Valley
Johnson will run for re‑election in District 281
(Created: Thursday, August 13, 2009)
EDUCATION
Linda Johnson of Golden Valley announced last week that she will run for re-election to the Robbinsdale District 281 School Board in the Nov. 3 election.
Johnson was first elected to the board in 2001 and re-elected in 2005. During her eight years on the board, she has served as chairwoman, vice chairwoman and treasurer.
Most recently, she has been involved with the district's community visioning, strategic plan, superintendent search and facility plan.
Johnson owns Linda Johnson Seminars, which provides professional development and facilitation to both organizations and individuals.
She and her husband, Chip, have two daughters and a son, all of whom are Armstrong High School graduates.