Beth Johnson and Barry Knight are the newly-elected co-presidents of the Orono Alliance for Education. They are both passionate about the important role education plays in the lives of our children. Having worked well together on other school endeavors, they are looking forward to focusing that experience and energy into the Alliance.
Beth We each bring different strengths to the table…and it seems to work. We experienced this during a school-related effort two years ago. So when the Alliance approached each of us and asked if we'd be interested in working together on continuing to build the Alliance in the future, it felt like a natural transition.
Barry Our strengths, combined with those of the board members, make for a well-rounded and diverse group. As we begin the 2007/08 school year, there are 20 board members. Two of these are part-time paid positions: An Executive Director and an Office manager. The others are primarily Orono parents who volunteer their time on the board. Their varied backgrounds and areas of expertise include banking, finance, legal, marketing and communications, special events coordination, school district board and fundraising. Together, we're able to accomplish all that goes along with managing a non-profit organization and grow the Alliance to its fullest potential.
Beth We certainly do! The previous co-presidents Alli Luedtke and Susan Breon have basically been involved with the organization since its inception seven years ago. Their personal leadership and contagious energy drove the success of the Alliance. In that time, the Alliance has granted the Orono Schools $1.9 million for needs such as funding teaching positions, providing scholarships and educational programs, and enhancing programs like art, band, Latin, math, technology, advanced placement, health, theater, special education and social studies to name just a few.
Barry Alli and Susan thankfully will continue on as board members, helping us grow the next phase of the Alliance.
Beth We'd like to involve more businesses and non-parent community members. Growing an organization like the Alliance requires the efforts not only of the parents and the school district, but also that of the surrounding community. Strong schools help build a strong community and visa versa.
Barry We also plan to take creative strides to sustain our annual fund and to take a more systematic approach to building the endowment fund as well. As a more mature organization, we are now able to handle these multiple efforts.
Beth We hope to continue to build on what Alli, Susan, the board members and Orono parents helped achieve. We will work closely with the school board, the administration, teachers, principals, parent organizations, local businesses and the community to determine the resources necessary to provide the education our students will need to succeed in the 21st century.
Our main goal is to continue to raise funds that support the quality of education at all the Orono Schools. A large annual grant means an enriched experience for Orono students. This year's grant of $275,000 helps to increase course offerings at the high school, restore the house system at the Middle School and sustain class sizes at the elementary schools I'm optimistic we'll be able to continue to provide that level of support to the district.
Barry Our schools depend in large part on state funds. That means they are subject to political whims and public moods, as well as economic conditions. We'd like the Alliance to be able to raise enough money over time so that parents and the community at large can help the Orono Schools bridge periods of unpredictability. We can do this on a yearly basis by increasing the annual fund and on a larger level by increasing the endowment over time.
At the end of the day, it's about being able to provide a world class education for our students. They are growing up in a changing world. Their competition for jobs won't just be down the street or in the next town, but rather in India, China, Brazil and elsewhere. Their quality of life isn't as assured as it has been for us. A great education may ultimately be the differentiating factor.
Beth My husband Chris and I moved back into the Orono community four years ago from Wayzata so our boys (Logan, 9th grade, Ben, 7th grade and Cole, 3rd grade) could attend the Orono Schools. Being Orono graduates ourselves made that decision easier! We are both very involved in the community through our business, the schools and our activities. I can't imagine being anywhere else.
Barry My wife and I have lived in Orono since 1994. We have two children, Lexi, 8th grade and Max, 5th grade. We moved our kids from Blake two years ago, and all of us believe it was one of our best family decisions. We feel welcomed in this community and the schools and want to do what we can to help where help is needed.
Beth We rely on everyone's help in the community to ensure quality education and educational facilities. The Alliance is a non-profit foundation, so donations are tax-deductible. No amount is too small, no donation of time or talent too insignificant.
Barry The slogan of the Alliance is "The future is in our hands." That sort of sums it up, doesn't it?