"Why I'm Running" -by Andrea Rees

     People have asked me repeatedly the last few weeks, “Are you sure you want to do this (meaning run for the Methacton Board of Directors)?” Obviously the answer is yes, but the why is the most important question. When writing a response I found two interesting statements I posted on Facebook.  
     One was from February 2014: Took my kids to their first board meeting tonight, more out of necessity than anything, but turned it into a civics and integrity lesson. They might not completely "get" it at ages 6 and 8, but I will raise them to be people who care, people that speak up and people who help others!!!! And more importantly to not take no for an answer or allow themselves to be complacent!!!! 
     Another was a year later:  A wise man, who was also my former boss, once told me, "to stay under the radar". He was giving me sage advice at that time in my life. Tonight my husband told me, "to stay calm, cool and collected". As most of you know, because you know me, I didn't heed to their advice. Half of me truly wishes that I did, the other half of me hasn't slept in 2 nights worrying about the state of education in our country, and in this case my own backyard.
     In between February 2014 and February 2015 I applied for both open school board positions that became available last spring. I was told an educator was not a good fit for the Methacton School Board…really? Methacton has a 99 million plus budget. Decisions need to be made that effect education, tax payers and the community as a whole, but an educator can’t help with those decisions? The majority of Montgomery County public school districts have at least one educator on their boards. Spring-Ford, Colonial and North Penn all think it is a good idea to have an educator to help make important financial decisions with an education perspective. I want to be that board member for Methacton.