My name is Bill Backoff and I am running for re-election to the Green Mountain Garwin School Board. I live on an acreage in the GMG District with my wife and two high school age daughters. I am retired after working 41 years as a railroad conductor. Our family belongs to Chapel United Methodist Church, where I serve as Administrative Council Chairman. As a volunteer with Operation Lifesaver for the past 15 years, I continue to give Railroad safety presentations to all area Drivers’ Education classes and serve on the Iowa executive board. I am a charter member of Crosswinds Toastmasters. Since being elected to the GMG School Board in 2015, I am proud of my 100 percent attendance record. I have filled the role of Vice-President the past three years. I serve on the Negotiations Committee, and School Improvement Advisory Committee. During my time on the Board I have had the opportunity to attend many functions to make me a better, more informed, board member including multiple workshops. I have attended the Iowa Association of School Board Annual Conventions in Des Moines, the past four years. At the conventions I have been able to collaborate with other attendees, attend many of the educational sessions, and I have served on a panel of presenters for a “Lessons Learned” workshop. GMG operates on a yearly budget of approximately $5.6 million. Being fiscally responsible is very important to the health of our district. To learn more about how school finances work, I have attended various school finance workshops presented by the IASB, and studied information supplied by our district Superintendent, Ben Petty. When Mr. Frimml first approached the School Board about “The Leader in Me” program he wanted to start at the elementary, I sat down and read “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey, on which the Leader in Me is based. I knew immediately that this was something that would be very good for GMG. “The Leader In Me” is in its fourth year at the Elementary. I believe the benefits and effects are visible, both figuratively and literally. I would like to see this continue on to the middle school grades, and eventually to the high school. I also serve on the Lighthouse Team, as a family and community liaison. I have spent many hours as past Chairman, and current Trustee on the GMG Scholarship Foundation, helping secure scholarships for our graduates. I am an advocate for public education and visit with our local legislatures regularly. Our students, staff and administration deserve to work in a safe environment, and I have pushed for safety improvements in the district: cameras, secure campuses, and training. I believe the Board should be transparent in its decisions, policies and processes. I support our high quality staff and administration at GMG. I feel we have accomplished much the past four years. School security, the building analysis study, and The Leader In Me are just a few examples. There is still more to do. Serving on the Board is something I take seriously. To me it has always been, “What is best for our GMG students and staff”. I am asking you to vote for me on November 5, so we can continue the progress. Thank you. Bill Backoff