It could very well be the closes election in KISD School Board history, at least in recent memory. The results showed School Board President Joe Taylor as the apparent winner over challenger Jeff Krieger 552-549. The KISD Board will certify the results next week at a special meeting Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at the KISD Media Center at 6 p.m. {{more}}Jeff Krieger acknowledged the results with a posting on Monday. He titled it The Election is Over and the Voters have Spoken.
Colleagues, friends, and supporters the Kennedale chapter of my story has unfortunately come to an unsatisfying end. Although this chapters conclusion was not what I was working for these past years, I would not trade the experiences and relationships gained throughout this journey for anything.It is my fervent hope in the next chapter of my life some of our life paths will cross again. Until such times, I hope God will bless you in your life journey with personal and professionals riches.
Joe Taylor posted the following statement on his website late Monday
Words cannot express the deep appreciation for the many people who have played some part in helping me the last few weeks. You are all a blessing to me and our community and I am truly greatly honored to be elected to continue in service.The many encouragements and endorsements and shout-outs and help in so many ways validated my efforts and strengthened my will. Every ounce of energy was important.I appreciate my challenger?s desire to serve the public. Jeff has great qualifications as an educator and he has a great family. I told him that we?d appreciate the opportunity to call on him in the future to serve in some way. There?s always work to be done in community service.One benefit of an election can be a renewal of perspective; at least that?s true for someone who truly cares about the thing in question. In a quote that has become a favorite since entering public service years ago, Theodore Roosevelt spoke about the man in the trenches; he spoke of how there is not effort without error and shortcomings, and about the value of enthusiasm and devotion while spending ourselves in a worthy cause. My passion for the best for our schools never waivers, and with that I realize that we?re not perfect; there?s always room to do better. A great benefit is that when we?re working like our educators for our kids? future, we can share in some meaningful and important work.On many occasions, such as when we worked to increase our teachers? pay in 2008, and the community supported that, or when we worked for the improvements for schools in 2004, and the community supported that effort, I have said that the important thing in Kennedale ISD is the people. The people make this district, this community, a great place to live and learn and work and play.We must keep our focus on those most important things. The students, the educators, the parents and community members are all our customers. These people all make this district great; what many of our educators and families refer to as the best district in Texas, or the best in the world. Everyone is important and everyone should know that they have a place and a voice with a board that?s focused on goals for being the best for our people. I encourage positive conversation and discussion for improvements.As a representative for all the people served by our school board, it?s my hope that all will come together and work together for an even greater district. Our families, our educators, and our community all partnering and working for the same goals for our kids and schools can be a powerful force. Margaret Meade said, ?Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.?Let?s work together and create the sky for our students to soar!
