I would like to thank the voters of the Olentangy Local School District for re-electing me to the school board. I promise continued excellence for our school district in all aspects of education. My passion for public education drives me to work hard for everyone in Olentangy.

In order to continue to excel during a time of ongoing growth and declining state support, we are going to have to have collaboration and compromise from all parties involved. I invite all residents in our school district to become active whether they have children in the schools or not. Our district has two well-established committees that residents can be involved in: the finance and development committees. We also are starting a new group focusing on communications and will reactivate the school funding committee.

With support of the other school board members, I will be expanding our board work sessions that I started this year. The work sessions have been very productive and allow for open dialogue and brainstorming on various district issues.

Finally, I encourage our residents to attend school board meetings held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Our remaining meetings are Nov. 10, Nov. 24 and Dec. 8. We will set the 2010 schedule at the first meeting in January. All meeting information and important district information is available to all at www.olentangy.k12.oh.us. I can be reached at julie_wagner_ feasel@olentangy.k12.oh.us.

I look forward to a very productive four years.

As a candidate who ran in the recent Olentangy school board election, I want to extend my gratitude and thanks.

This was my first experience in a local political contest and the lessons that it taught and experiences that it brought will not be soon forgotten. Thank you to the friends and neighbors who graciously took my yard signs, and those who never stopped encouraging me through this process. Thank you to Mary in Powell for coming to my rescue when I needed a presence in Powell. Thank you to Dr. Wade Lucas for his professionalism and courtesy. Thank you to my husband and daughter who sacrificed several of their weekend hours driving me from mailbox to mailbox to deliver campaign fliers. Thank you to the 2,384 people who cast their vote under my name. I am humbled, honored and privileged to have been a part of the process.

As a Westerville resident, I was a candidate from the farthest eastern corner of the district, a sector that, historically, has seldom been heard from or recognized in prior school board races. I entered the race for many reasons. Economically, we are faced with tremendous challenges. Many families are struggling and will continue to struggle. Taxpayers are weakened and drained.

More important to me, however, was the desire to participate in a process that involved our children. Anybody running for or elected to the school board will readily acknowledge that our children are watching and bearing witness to the process. Whether it is the Orange High School student who wants to learn more about campaigns, or the Liberty High School student who is writing an article for The Cannon, or the elementary school students who frequently asked me "Are you going to win the election?" believe me when I say, our children are watching.

When local newspapers run articles in which board members are publicly chastising or being chastised, when letters to the editor are utilized as a mechanism for bickering and accusation, or when blogs are the newest way to grab another "gotcha," our children are watching.

I see, talk to and represent children every day, children from this district and other Delaware County districts, who are troubled or find themselves in troubling situations. Regardless of economic or social circumstances, each have certain commonly held needs. Our children need adults who will consistently demonstrate positive and confident leadership, adults who believe that amazing things are always possible, adults who believe in them. Our children need to trust that adults can deliver, be present and lead with maturity and wisdom. Adults, particularly those who put themselves "out there," must never forget that our children are watching.

As a proud parent of an amazing third-grade daughter, as a hard-working self-employed attorney and a wife of almost 17 years, I am so blessed. Among my family's many blessings, I count being a resident of the Olentangy school district as one of them.

I would like to say thank you to all my supporters and team members for a great showing at the polls on election night.

I am humbled by your support and your willingness to stand with me even in the face of the relentless defamatory attacks on my character. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served you over the last few years.

We may have lost this battle, but I remain committed to serving in the future (in some other capacity) in returning government back to you, the people, and making sure it is accountable and transparent.

I wish only the best for Liberty Township and Powell and encourage my fellow running mates -- John Schuette, Don Rankey and Don Grubbs -- to continue to be engaged in our beautiful community.