Board of Directors Cedar Falls Community School District 1002 West First Street Cedar Falls Iowa, 50613 March 1, 2013 Board of Directors, As a student of the Cedar Falls Community School District, I see it as my right and obligation to make my opinion known on issues affecting my education, including the resignation/termination of Mr. Mike Wells as Superintendent of Schools. I believe Mr. Wells is right for this job, and his contract should not end at the completion of this school year, but rather be reinstated for another three--year term. Mr. Wells has continually proven to me and many other students, faculty, and parents that he is what is best for our district. Upon my first meeting with Mr. Wells, I was in the lobby of the administrative building this summer waiting for a meeting to start. Mr. Wells approached me, shook my hand, and introduced himself as Mike Wells. He did not feel the need to tell me his position and make me feel uncomfortable; instead he asked me how my day had been and offered me something to drink. He made me feel extremely comfortable and welcome, more so than any educator has the first time I have met them. I was later asked to be a part of the School Improvement Advisory Committee, which I was very excited and nervous about. Knowing that I would be one of the few students on this committee, I was concerned that it would be difficult for me to make my opinions heard. On the contrary, Mr. Wells continued to prove to me that both myself and my thoughts were genuinely valued and important to him. He makes a point to begin each meeting by shaking everyone's hands as they arrive, and taking the time to say hello. Throughout the meetings he continually asks for the students' opinions pointing out that we are the single most important part of the process. Never in all of my years in this school district has anyone, let alone the Superintendent made me feel like such a vital part of the education system. He constantly makes me feel like what I have to say is more important than anything he could say, which has empowered me to be able to tell him and the committee exactly how I feel about the issues we have discussed. This feeling of value and empowerment that he gives me motivates me to be positive leader in my school. More important than my personal experience with Mr. Wells, he has impressed upon many people that he is a passionate educator with a vision. He has a wonderful vision for great change and a great future for our district. Our district is capable of so many great things, and Mr. Wells can lead us toward these goals. He is progressive and values change, which is exactly what our district needs to be its best and to best serve its students. Mr. Wells has amazing ideas, and amazing skills and abilities to execute them. Mr. Wells may have pushed too hard for change, and he may have lacked process and communication, but he has made it clear that he has the best interest of the students at heart. Mr. Wells has admitted and apologized for his shortcomings, and he deserves a second chance to be the amazing Superintendent that he more than capable of being. The key to making progress as a district is unity and support. A body can accomplish nothing separated, and if Mr. Wells is not supported it will only set back all of the goals, potential, and progress that our district has made this year. It is our districts responsibility to teach our students not only reading, writing and arithmetic, but teamwork and compromise as well. The best way to teach these Values is by example, by joining together as a team with Mr. Wells and compromising towards a better future for the students. I firmly believe that it is vital that you highly consider reinstating Mr. Mike Wells's contract for another three years when his current contract expires in July. Thank you for your time and consideration. Respectfiilly, Danielle Templeton Sophomore at Cedar Falls High School Nu' ssa Jansen grade. sir CF l?l?Wmm Ow fwmd/Q '7-My/I/u 10" Grade dalm?hlimlwn lot" ogmit Huntagmas tot" <> 54,/meg /Ofi Q/Lnabefl/v Day/K TQIJA C9 Jacob Johnson CF s+w1emt' oaugdm swam 10"' K/grm'/5 P5flflEUR 0% odnme, fig? ff: grraa?o oL(3 gffi-dqt fume, smog ggm?c, mm Lcicjrm Yioxomw, mm owme Da \Om Damm: 510' bu-5 aWv6r' MW/hm fl-rade /zflw flamm 7446/1/- WU gxradfig HAM pafewl' 1 WL7/aw. mm w\wn\xm Wm CF VDemjM"w lOh(/Jxd, (EH3 Rfiod 10*" ga Ll' H5 A--[7so- F132 lo""qcJ CPA3 Dovvxiej CFHS mxm, Ueader Ilfigm 6 3 \x\lc\H-cxs gmde CFH 5 /Qdm arm gm>> QWLS fiakmbw CF95 3\m:C\n0m \0th avgdfi WW3 cm amdbe, U\m?lK\ &omMk,0 rijmcia x9\,x\ Ourme >: T/kgrzalg Mote ems 30Uk?a Mo\\q\ ?04" (firawic CF HS ogx 9? 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