By: AMY FREELOVE
My name is Amy Freelove and I’m running for USD 305 School Board this November.
I was born, raised, and publicly educated in the near western suburbs of Chicago.
About 35 years ago I began my college education at The University of Kansas. I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Education with an emphasis in Athletic Training. While my husband, Rob, was finishing his education and training, we moved around Kansas until we settled in Salina 25 years ago.
We were lucky to raise our kids here and send them through USD 305. While we raised our kids, I was fortunate to be a stay-at-home parent who volunteered in their classrooms, went on field trips, served on site councils, and was a team parent and Scout Leader. I volunteered in the Heusner Library, long after my kids had moved on from elementary school. I love books and reading and love seeing kids get excited about reading, too. When Salina was redrawing its boundaries, I was asked to be on the committee. I learned a lot during that process, and am proud of the work we did. In 2012 I completed my Master Gardener training and have been an active member since then.
Even though I have worked outside of our home, raising our children to be successful, thoughtful and kind humans is definitely my biggest accomplishment. Our daughter, Mary, graduated from Columbia College in Chicago with her Bachelor of Fine Arts. She is an artist and Art Director at a publisher in Chicago. Our son, Lukas, is a recent K-State grad with a Masters in Landscape Architecture. He’s a Landscape Designer in Boston. And while I know I have invested in my children, I also believe Salina schools and teachers have as well. Our children wouldn’t be who they are today without all of us working together. All children deserve that support and investment.
Why am I running for School Board?
I believe all children should have a public education available and accessible to them. We must invest in and support our children. Teachers are an integral part of a good education. We must invest in and support them as well.
A healthy public school system in Salina, where people know their children can learn, grow, and build a foundation for success, makes for a thriving Salina. A strong and vital Salina helps ensure our community can not only continue to entice new businesses, people, and teachers, but also help our young citizens want to return and stay.
Most importantly, I believe our leaders and decision-makers must be level-headed, good listeners who are able to listen without judgment, be flexible, and work towards solutions that work for everyone. Generally, I am not a person who is comfortable being in front. Much of my life I have been a supportive behind-the-scenes person, and I’m good at it. I’ve learned over the years that being a good support person requires all the qualities a good leader needs. Anyone who knows me well would say that I am a smart, thoughtful, kind, level-headed and capable person; driven by compassion and common sense.
I believe those attributes would allow me to serve the USD 305 School Board well.