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My husband Phil and I are endorsing Tobi’s candidacy. She lives in Eastern Hills
and is active in its homeowners’ association. I first met Tobi and her husband Bruce in 2007 when they worked
on the team of Brentwood-Oak Hills and Eastern Hills leaders who fought to try to prevent 2201 Oak Hill Road from becoming
subdivided into 18 tiny lots. That would have been a problem for so many reasons, including the loss of about
100 old-growth post oak trees and increased flooding in the BOHN and Eastern Hills areas which have storm drainage problems.
Bruce provided his expertise on construction and drainage issues, and Tobi worked with City staff to identify and protect
the trees, which were marked for destruction. Tobi currently serves on the City of Fort Worth Parks and Community
Services Board, appointed by our current City Council Member Danny Scarth.
Since 2007 I have learned a lot more about Tobi—that she is not only passionate about education for our youth but also highly qualified to offer new ideas and experience to the FWISD board. Attached is a one-page document that highlights some of her credentials and goals. In case you are not able to open that document, I’ll mention a few points here about her experience. She graduated from Eastern Hills High School 1978, UTA with a BA 1982, and UNT with an MS 1985. She has a Texas State Teacher Secondary Certification. Tobi taught math and science for 13 years in public, private, and career schools in Tarrant County. She is currently the Assistant Director of Education at the ATI Career Training Center, where she also served as a counselor. Her specialty was counseling the students at ATI who had dropped out of the public school system. These students make up about 28 percent of ATI’s enrollment. Tobi also has the experience of serving on the board of some Arlington schools. So she brings ideas and academic experience having been a student, a parent, a teacher, a counselor, an administrator, and a school board member. Add to that a number of years’ work in the private sector in the pharmaceutical industry and experience as a small business owner. The public schools in District 2 need and deserve new leadership. Eastern Hills High School has received an unacceptable rating for the past three consecutive years. If it is rated unacceptable for the next two years, it will be shut down or totally overhauled, including a name change. My alma mater, Poly, almost suffered this fate in another district. It had four years of unacceptable ratings, but with years of hard work, it pulled up on the fifth year. The focus also needs to be on the elementary and middle “feeder” schools, too. Every grade level needs more attention. Tobi Jackson is running against 20-year incumbent Jean McClung. I regard both of them as friends. I appreciate the fact that Jean has devoted so many years of her life to the cause of the FWISD. However, I believe Tobi brings freshness and energy and passion to the task and can draw on a wealth of experience to apply to the academic and fiscal challenges of the FWISD. Thanks for giving Tobi Jackson your consideration. Come meet her Monday night if you can. She is also knocking on doors to meet people in District 2. If you are interested in supporting her, you may forward this message to anyone you choose (even if the reception date is past.) If you would like to have a yard sign and/or if you are interested in donating to her campaign, just let me know. Thanks again, Rita (and Phil) Vinson 6216 Dovenshire Terrace Fort Worth, TX 76112 817-451-4907 home 817-368-6317 cell |
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