I am grateful for the privilege of serving the teachers, students, administrators, families and the entire community as a member of the Board of Education.  July 1, 2007, begins my second term. 

My wife and I have two children who will become eight and six years old during the 2005-2006 school year.  I earned an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts at the Culinary Institute of America in 1980, a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration from Duquesne University in 1988, and a Master’s of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs in 1994.  I work for Success By 6 Coalition of Douglas County as a Collaborative Projects Coordinator. 

The focus of my learning efforts as a member of the Board of Education center on the role of technology and information systems on learning environments and how faculty and students relate to the educational experience as a result of technology-driven changes in learning environments, on how parent involvement shapes public education, and on leadership in public education. 

In addition to becoming a better Board of Education Member, my “extra curricular” learning efforts focus on early childhood systems – including family support services, early childhood care and education and family friend and neighbor care.  I am also interested in neighborhood community building through the development of co-housing as an alternative urban design, on framing social issues in public discourse, and on the effect of globalization and technology on family life and work.

Rich Minder