Josh Sikes for Grand Island Board of Education
I'm a write in candidate for the GIPS Board of Education election in Ward A.
Great voter turnout. Things are looking pretty positive. Time to go to bed and let the counters count! Great job GI your voice was heard and will be heard.
Polls are now closed! Thank you to everyone who had a conversation, shared a post, put a sign in their yard, handed out a flyer, offered a word of encouragement, or pushed on my stated positions. By this time tomorrow we will have an idea what the voters of Ward A are looking for in leadership! ✌️✌️✌️
It's Election Day! To vote for myself or Amanda Wilson for Grand Island Board of Education, you will need to cast a write-in vote. Watch this quick video to learn how you can do that when you visit the voting booth!
Thank you so much for your support!
08/11/2022
It's hard to believe that tomorrow is already Election Day. Before you go into the voting booth tomorrow, make sure you are well informed on your candidates. Here is what you need to know about Ward A write-in candidates, Amanda Wilson for Grand Island Board of Education and I!
Take a screenshot or download and send it to everyone you know in Ward A! For more resources, visit chaperonegi.com/candidateresources.
Thanks for your support!
The last three months have been a great adventure. Talking to students, teachers, and parents is something I have always loved doing and these conversations have given me a new perspective I will take forward with me regardless of the outcome of tomorrow’s election. Opening myself up to others on social media isn’t something I have done a ton of (actually next to nothing), and it has helped me grow in a few areas personally.
If tomorrow’s election goes in the best direction possible and I am able to represent Ward A on the GIPS Board of Education, I will look forward to learning and leading in my new role. Should the election not go in the direction I am anticipating, I will continue to serve the students/families/teachers/administrators of this district in the same way I have for the last 20 years.
This is what I ask of you for tomorrow, and the days following:
1. Vote. It is how your voice is heard. It is a privilege that has been fought and sacrificed for. You honor those of the past with your vote, and honor those of the future with your vote.
2. Please consider myself and Amanda Wilson for Grand Island Board of Education to represent Ward A. Regardless of what has been said in talking circles, my desire is to serve ALL the people of this district in this role, and I know Amanda feels the same.
3. After the election, have conversations with people. Don’t shout on social media. Seek each other out and be quick to listen, and slow to speak (even slower to become angry). The ability to humbly listen to one another is being lost in our society and is tearing apart our cultural fabric.
See you at the polls!
07/11/2022
Hey everyone, my final AMA (Ask Me Anything) event has officially started! Leave any questions you have for me in the comments. I will be answering them for the next hour!
Election Day is in TWO DAYS! Know your ward. Go vote. Write in Josh Sikes and Amanda Wilson for Grand Island Board of Education for Ward A! Here is a quick video showing you how to do it.
06/11/2022
Pounding Pavement today! If you have a neighborhood that hasn’t had much exposure shoot me a message! Tell you friends to get out and vote! (Especially for me and Amanda Wilson for Grand Island Board of Education)It is a privilege!
Looking for some people that might be interested in helping with some promotion this weekend! Reply to this post and I will follow up!
How can I be an effective member of the Board of Education?
In my time at Third City Christian, I've spent time with many volunteer-driven groups that are working to accomplish a common task together for the betterment of our community. I understand what it's like to look at an organization and work towards developing a beautiful culture, together.
I want to establish something great when it comes to the culture at GIPS, something that administrators and teachers and students can enjoy and benefit from during their time at GIPS.
Write-in Josh Sikes and Amanda Wilson for Grand Island Board of Education on November 8th! (Crazy how fast its coming up!)
04/11/2022
DON'T FORGET! My final AMA (Ask Me Anything) event will be held this Sunday on my page at 8 p.m. You'll be able to ask me any questions you have for me before the election.
Here is a great question I received at my last AMA.
Q: Can you describe a few concrete steps you would take to improve teacher retention at a board level?
A: The first thing that has to be done is for the board/superintendent to define the culture they are wanting to build. Be honest with themselves and each other about what is right, wrong, broken, confusing. From there they can determine where they want to go culture wise, define it, write it down, and then comes the hard work of working toward that goal and holding each other accountable for that effort.
I look forward to seeing you there!
03/11/2022
Hey, GI! I'll be working with Amanda Wilson for Grand Island Board of Education and our supporters to pass out these flyers around Ward A throughout these next few days. Keep your eye out for them – they have lots of helpful info.
We need your help!! You can also distribute this flyer by visiting chaperonegi.com/candidateresources to download and print your own grayscale version. Keep it for yourself to take into the voting booth, and pass extras out to everyone you know in Ward A!
Double Bubble Wilson, Sikes on November 8!
01/11/2022
There is extra work required by voters and the vile tion office! Write in Josh Sikes and Amanda Wilson Amanda Wilson for Grand Island Board of Education
Counting write-in votes takes a team during elections Midterm elections are a lot of stress to begin with, but 2022′s edition will be an busy day for the Hall County Election Office.
01/11/2022
I will be hosting one final AMA event before the election. Below are a few possible dates and times for the event – please let me know in the comments which one works best and we will get the AMA scheduled!
Option 1: Saturday, November 5, 6:30-7:30 pm
Option 2: Sunday, November 6. 8-9 pm
Option 3: Monday, November 7, 8-9 pm
Thank you to everyone who joined my for my second AMA (Ask Me Anything) event over the weekend! I want to share with you one of the questions that I received.
Q: What do you think will be the first steps needed to start building teacher retention and do you think it can be started before this school year ends?
A: I believe that working culture within any organization is what retains employees. Leadership must first define the culture they are wanting to create, and then begin the implementation process. Most leadership experts state that it takes at least two years to effectively change culture, and that is from "day one". So I do believe that steps can be taken before the end of this school year, but it will be a bit of a process to see fruit from change. It feels like there will have to be some significant work done at all levels to work toward this goal... but this is the type of work that excites me. I tend to see tremendous potential in things and get excited about seeing potential realized. Its a major part of why I hope to get to serve on the BOE.
31/10/2022
It's time for my second AMA (Ask Me Anything) event! Drop your questions in the comments below and I'll respond with an answer. Thanks for your support!
30/10/2022
Check this out! Chaperone's post about write-in voting reached over 8,000 people. It's incredible to think that we have reached that many people with our campaign! However, that doesn't mean we have won those votes just yet. We need to keep pushing and gathering support for myself and fellow Ward A candidate Amanda Wilson for Grand Island Board of Education.
For perspective, there are over 10,000 registered voters in Ward A alone. Tell all your friends, your family, your neighbors, your coworkers – "Double Bubble Wilson & Sikes"!
I'm so grateful for everyone's support. I've seen the yard signs, the likes and shares, and I've heard the words of support – I can't thank you enough! Let's keep it going through November 8!
“I don’t just want to see people given diplomas. I want to see people given tools to succeed in life.”
Why am I running for the Board of Education? I care about the students and families of GIPS. Anyone that knows me knows that I’m not one to pick fights, but rather that I’m one that goes out to lead with common sense, listen well, and ask good questions – and even hard questions when they’re necessary. I hope I have the opportunity to serve in this role...and if I don’t, I will humbly continue to champion this school district.
Lost my voice at the Isalnder FB game last night (another Tomlin team fighting through the end and getting it done) but still needed to record an important “how to video”. 10 days out! Know your ward. Go vote. Write in Josh Sikes and Amanda Wilson for Grand Island Board of Education for ward A!
29/10/2022
Just want to take a moment to remind everyone – and share with the new faces on my page – how to vote for a write-in candidate. I and fellow Ward A candidate Amanda Wilson for Grand Island Board of Education will not have our names listed on the ballot. Instead, darken both bubbles next to the write-in lines and write in our names, one per line.
"Double Bubble Wilson & Sikes"
Thank you for your support!
29/10/2022
I want to share one of the questions I received during my last AMA.
Question:
In your opinion what are some key characteristics of a thriving school district?
Answer:
This is a great question that I have been thinking about a lot. There are tons of pieces that make up a thriving school district. Here are a few of the ones that come to mind first.
1. Graduating students that are prepared to be contributors to the communities they are living in. Whether pursuing a career or higher education that are the types of students that work hard and put others first.
2. Teachers that love what they do and have what they need to succeed at their craft.
3. A healthy relationship between all the support systems in students lives (Parents, teachers, administrators, coaches, support staff, community resources).
4. An administration and school board that humbly works hard to see this end product.
Have some more questions for me? I'd love to answer them! I'll be hosting another AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Sunday, October 30, from 8-9 p.m. Watch out for a post from me that evening where you can leave your questions in the comments!
Creating a positive culture within GIPS is critical to recruiting and retaining great (the best!) teachers. As a youth minister, I've witnessed the impact that a healthy environment can have on your organization and its members. It bleeds from the top down. What is the culture within GIPS? How is the Board of Education influencing that culture?
Should I have the opportunity to join the Board of Education, my goal would be to help build a culture where our teachers feel like part of a community where they are heard and respected. It starts with culture.
Please write in Josh Sikes and Amanda Wilson for Grand Island Board of Education in Ward A on November 8!
Just imagine the difference it would make in your school if even half the parents offered their school an hour of volunteer time a month. Monitor recess, monitor the lunch room, monitor pick-up or drop off. Create space for teachers.
26/10/2022
I have felt that there was an issue with the culture at GIPS for a few years. This past spring, that truth became apparent with the exit of some high-quality teachers to other local districts. The recruitment and retention of quality teachers is my highest concern, should I have a seat on GIPS board of education.
Please write in Josh Sikes & Amanda Wilson for Grand Island Board of Education on November 8th!
25/10/2022
24/10/2022
Good morning GI! The results of Chaperone’s GIPS Teacher Survey are now live at chaperonegi.com/teachers.
Over the years I have learned that listening well is a key part of leading well. Take a minute to look over this survey and its results, and consider how they might impact our district.
When we listen to our teachers and act on their concerns, we create a better culture for both educators and students.
Write in Josh Sikes and Amanda Wilson for Grand Island Board of Education Ward A on November 8.
Chaperone Chaperone is a nonprofit, political action committee consisting of engaged parents, business leaders, and community members that have a vested interest in the success of Grand Island’s public schools and the students they educate.
24/10/2022
I've just reached 200 followers! Thank you for continuing support. I could never have made it without each one of you. 🥳🤩🎉… now... it will take more than 200 votes yo earn a seat on the board. Take a minute and share a post that reaondstes with you, help us get there 🙂.
Hey everyone, my AMA (Ask Me Anything) event has now started! If you have questions for me, I want to answer them. Drop your questions - whether they're about me, my campaign, or my goals - in the comments below!
A big announcement is coming out tomorrow in Monday’s newspaper! You definitely don’t want to miss this one.
Praise God for this beautiful Sunday morning! I invite you to join us at Third City Christian Church today for Sunday service. All are welcome! ⛪🙂
22/10/2022
I received a great question this week about write-in voting: Should voters write “Josh” or “Joshua” to ensure their vote is counted?
The answer is that either name will count as a vote for me! Even misspelled names are accepted, so long as it is evident who you are intending to cast your vote for. Check out the images below for examples of what will be accepted by election officials on November 8.
Don’t forget that there are two open seats in Ward A, and running alongside me is fellow Chaperone-endorsed, write-in candidate Wilson for Grand Island Board of Education. Vote for both of us on November 8!
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