campaign endorsements
Thursday, November 01, 2018 1:00 am
Election letters
FWCS incumbents worthy of new terms
I've appreciated The Journal Gazette's coverage of the upcoming school board race. It's encouraging to see three at-large candidates bringing some much-needed attention and competitiveness to a race that often flies under the radar. With that said, it's clear that Maria Norman and Anne Duff should be re-elected. Both have approached their current terms with high levels of professionalism and demonstrated success.
Maria Norman brings a fresh, local perspective and has a bright future ahead of her in service to our community, while Anne Duff's rich professional experience adds balance to the board. Both clearly understand the broad strategic challenges facing the state's largest school district and have routinely taken nuanced, student-first positions. I trust both with the challenge of replacing our nationally recognized superintendent in 2020.
Please join me in voting for Maria Norman and Anne Duff for the Fort Wayne Community Schools board.
Josh Spencer
Fort Wayne
Election letters
FWCS incumbents worthy of new terms
I've appreciated The Journal Gazette's coverage of the upcoming school board race. It's encouraging to see three at-large candidates bringing some much-needed attention and competitiveness to a race that often flies under the radar. With that said, it's clear that Maria Norman and Anne Duff should be re-elected. Both have approached their current terms with high levels of professionalism and demonstrated success.
Maria Norman brings a fresh, local perspective and has a bright future ahead of her in service to our community, while Anne Duff's rich professional experience adds balance to the board. Both clearly understand the broad strategic challenges facing the state's largest school district and have routinely taken nuanced, student-first positions. I trust both with the challenge of replacing our nationally recognized superintendent in 2020.
Please join me in voting for Maria Norman and Anne Duff for the Fort Wayne Community Schools board.
Josh Spencer
Fort Wayne
Thursday, November 01, 2018 1:00 am
Election letters
Duff will help ensure education for generations
What will you tell your children and grandchildren you did in the fight to save public education? For starters, you can tell them you voted for political candidates who support public education and its schools, students and teachers.
One such candidate is Anne Duff, who is running for re-election to the Fort Wayne Community Schools board.
Duff brings experience to the board via her years spent as a teacher in the high school classroom and as a high school counselor. As a parent, Duff sees the opportunities afforded her children in their attendance in FWCS schools.
Duff realizes the importance of a fully funded, quality education for all students. Whether visiting schools, talking with constituents, participating and volunteering with numerous public school organizations such as the PTA, or advocating for public education through the grassroots group of Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education, Duff is a strong advocate for all students and all school matters.
Duff knows the importance of providing teachers the respect, resources and professional salary they deserve in order to attract and retain highly qualified teachers for Hoosier students, who will in turn benefit from their teachers' years of knowledge, expertise, professional growth and continuous concern for their students.
Anne Duff will fight for your children and your grandchildren to receive the quality education that all children deserve. I will cast my vote for her. Will you tell your children and grandchildren you voted for her, too?
Donna Roof
Fort Wayne
Election letters
Duff will help ensure education for generations
What will you tell your children and grandchildren you did in the fight to save public education? For starters, you can tell them you voted for political candidates who support public education and its schools, students and teachers.
One such candidate is Anne Duff, who is running for re-election to the Fort Wayne Community Schools board.
Duff brings experience to the board via her years spent as a teacher in the high school classroom and as a high school counselor. As a parent, Duff sees the opportunities afforded her children in their attendance in FWCS schools.
Duff realizes the importance of a fully funded, quality education for all students. Whether visiting schools, talking with constituents, participating and volunteering with numerous public school organizations such as the PTA, or advocating for public education through the grassroots group of Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education, Duff is a strong advocate for all students and all school matters.
Duff knows the importance of providing teachers the respect, resources and professional salary they deserve in order to attract and retain highly qualified teachers for Hoosier students, who will in turn benefit from their teachers' years of knowledge, expertise, professional growth and continuous concern for their students.
Anne Duff will fight for your children and your grandchildren to receive the quality education that all children deserve. I will cast my vote for her. Will you tell your children and grandchildren you voted for her, too?
Donna Roof
Fort Wayne
Tuesday, October 30, 2018 1:00 am
Election letters
Duff continues to have kids' interests at heart
Election Day is nearly here, and our role as good citizens means we should thoughtfully consider all the candidates and vote for the most qualified individuals – especially for school board positions. Experience matters. And Anne Duff has that experience.
As a parent and former teacher, Anne knows what is important for all kids. She knows about the importance of a diverse and innovative education. Anne is willing to serve, and her continuity on the Fort Wayne Community School Board will ensure the best for all kids. Vote Anne Duff on Election Day!
Susan Berry
Fort Wayne
Election letters
Duff continues to have kids' interests at heart
Election Day is nearly here, and our role as good citizens means we should thoughtfully consider all the candidates and vote for the most qualified individuals – especially for school board positions. Experience matters. And Anne Duff has that experience.
As a parent and former teacher, Anne knows what is important for all kids. She knows about the importance of a diverse and innovative education. Anne is willing to serve, and her continuity on the Fort Wayne Community School Board will ensure the best for all kids. Vote Anne Duff on Election Day!
Susan Berry
Fort Wayne
Tuesday, October 23, 2018 1:00 am
EDITORIAL
FWCS incumbents' steady hand needed
The quiet contest for four seats on the Fort Wayne Community Schools board is a clue residents are satisfied with the direction the state's largest public school district is moving. Board President Julia Hollingsworth does not face a challenger for her District 1 seat. Incumbents Anne Duff and Maria Norman have one challenger for their at-large seats; Jordan Lebamoff faces a single challenger for his District 4 seat. Each should be re-elected.
The next four years hold a major task for the school board: Superintendent Wendy Robinson has announced she will not seek an extension after her contract expires at the end of June 2020. As the search process begins next year, it's important to have experienced, committed board members.
Duff, a former FWCS teacher and guidance counselor, is seeking a second term. As a member of Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education, she's well-versed on state and national education policies and has been a strong public schools advocate for many years. She continues to speak against education privatization. Duff said she fears school vouchers could create a system of haves and have-nots, with public schools the only option for students with special needs or students whose parents can't afford private tuition costs exceeding a voucher reimbursement.
“Public education is the one shot every child has,” she said. “They may not get that the rest of their lives, but at least from age 3 to 18, they can.”
Norman is seeking her first full term as an at-large member. She joined the board 18 months ago after being unanimously selected by the school board from among 20 applicants seeking to fill Mark Gia-Quinta's seat.
“I've loved it,” she said of her board post. “I went to the Indiana School Board Association conference in October, and I just tried to absorb as much information as I possibly could. ... Even the complaints – I think those are learning issues for me.”
Norman, who manages the student information portal for Purdue Fort Wayne, said a diverse family background has given her an appreciation for the broad spectrum of abilities the school district must accommodate in serving students.
“I know we have that group of students who need an advocate who is watching out for them,” she said.
Brian Thompson is the third candidate for one of the at-large seats. A route driver for Aunt Millie's Bakeries, he said he was inspired to run out of concern for his daughter's safety. He believes the district should have metal detectors at each school and he is a critic of the Common Core curriculum, which is not used in Indiana.
“I would be someone to ask questions on the board,” he said. “When we have bids that come up – food bids or construction bids – I would ask the pros and cons.”
Lebamoff, an attorney in his family's law firm, is seeking his third term on the board. He said finding Robinson's successor will likely require a national search.
“Given the nature of our district, we need someone that has some familiarity and has their feet on the ground in similar urban settings,” he said. “We're a very diverse urban district. It's a different creature than a rural district or a small suburban district.”
Lebamoff's challenger is Rachel Rayburn, associate professor of public policy at Purdue Fort Wayne. An educator for 15 years, she was inspired to run for school board by her own experience with the foster care system and said she hopes to become a foster parent and eventually to adopt.
“There are so many kids in foster care that temporarily need a safe place to stay or someone to be their advocate – and perhaps long term,” she said. “That's one of my top priorities in life.”
While Rayburn has not familiarized herself with issues specific to the district, her enthusiasm for addressing bullying, nutrition, school safety and more would be a tremendous asset. We hope she'll become involved in district schools and return as a candidate.
For now, the school district needs the steadying influence of its incumbent members. We recommend Duff, Norman and Lebamoff.
EDITORIAL
FWCS incumbents' steady hand needed
The quiet contest for four seats on the Fort Wayne Community Schools board is a clue residents are satisfied with the direction the state's largest public school district is moving. Board President Julia Hollingsworth does not face a challenger for her District 1 seat. Incumbents Anne Duff and Maria Norman have one challenger for their at-large seats; Jordan Lebamoff faces a single challenger for his District 4 seat. Each should be re-elected.
The next four years hold a major task for the school board: Superintendent Wendy Robinson has announced she will not seek an extension after her contract expires at the end of June 2020. As the search process begins next year, it's important to have experienced, committed board members.
Duff, a former FWCS teacher and guidance counselor, is seeking a second term. As a member of Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education, she's well-versed on state and national education policies and has been a strong public schools advocate for many years. She continues to speak against education privatization. Duff said she fears school vouchers could create a system of haves and have-nots, with public schools the only option for students with special needs or students whose parents can't afford private tuition costs exceeding a voucher reimbursement.
“Public education is the one shot every child has,” she said. “They may not get that the rest of their lives, but at least from age 3 to 18, they can.”
Norman is seeking her first full term as an at-large member. She joined the board 18 months ago after being unanimously selected by the school board from among 20 applicants seeking to fill Mark Gia-Quinta's seat.
“I've loved it,” she said of her board post. “I went to the Indiana School Board Association conference in October, and I just tried to absorb as much information as I possibly could. ... Even the complaints – I think those are learning issues for me.”
Norman, who manages the student information portal for Purdue Fort Wayne, said a diverse family background has given her an appreciation for the broad spectrum of abilities the school district must accommodate in serving students.
“I know we have that group of students who need an advocate who is watching out for them,” she said.
Brian Thompson is the third candidate for one of the at-large seats. A route driver for Aunt Millie's Bakeries, he said he was inspired to run out of concern for his daughter's safety. He believes the district should have metal detectors at each school and he is a critic of the Common Core curriculum, which is not used in Indiana.
“I would be someone to ask questions on the board,” he said. “When we have bids that come up – food bids or construction bids – I would ask the pros and cons.”
Lebamoff, an attorney in his family's law firm, is seeking his third term on the board. He said finding Robinson's successor will likely require a national search.
“Given the nature of our district, we need someone that has some familiarity and has their feet on the ground in similar urban settings,” he said. “We're a very diverse urban district. It's a different creature than a rural district or a small suburban district.”
Lebamoff's challenger is Rachel Rayburn, associate professor of public policy at Purdue Fort Wayne. An educator for 15 years, she was inspired to run for school board by her own experience with the foster care system and said she hopes to become a foster parent and eventually to adopt.
“There are so many kids in foster care that temporarily need a safe place to stay or someone to be their advocate – and perhaps long term,” she said. “That's one of my top priorities in life.”
While Rayburn has not familiarized herself with issues specific to the district, her enthusiasm for addressing bullying, nutrition, school safety and more would be a tremendous asset. We hope she'll become involved in district schools and return as a candidate.
For now, the school district needs the steadying influence of its incumbent members. We recommend Duff, Norman and Lebamoff.
Friday, October 19, 2018 1:00 am
Letters
Duff well equipped to face FWCS challenges
The state has seen fit to take over governance of the Muncie and Gary school districts; voters there no longer have a say in running their schools.
In Allen County, we can still vote for our school boards. Good schools not only help to shape our children's futures, they also enhance our neighborhoods and attract newcomers. It is the job of school board members to advise superintendents on policies and finances, and to respond to the concerns of their communities. This way, school leadership is held accountable by Hoosier voters.
In view of the changes facing public education, I solicit your vote for Anne Duff, running at large for the Fort Wayne Community Schools board. Anne has shown herself to be both conscientious and effective in her first term. Her presence is felt at board meetings where she helps bring clarity to many issues and concerns. In addition, she makes it a practice to visit schools regularly to keep in touch with life in the classroom, and how policies handed down by the state affect our children.
FWCS has benefited hugely from her dedicated service. Her experience and dedication would prove invaluable with the challenges that lie ahead.
Judith Beineke
Fort Wayne
Letters
Duff well equipped to face FWCS challenges
The state has seen fit to take over governance of the Muncie and Gary school districts; voters there no longer have a say in running their schools.
In Allen County, we can still vote for our school boards. Good schools not only help to shape our children's futures, they also enhance our neighborhoods and attract newcomers. It is the job of school board members to advise superintendents on policies and finances, and to respond to the concerns of their communities. This way, school leadership is held accountable by Hoosier voters.
In view of the changes facing public education, I solicit your vote for Anne Duff, running at large for the Fort Wayne Community Schools board. Anne has shown herself to be both conscientious and effective in her first term. Her presence is felt at board meetings where she helps bring clarity to many issues and concerns. In addition, she makes it a practice to visit schools regularly to keep in touch with life in the classroom, and how policies handed down by the state affect our children.
FWCS has benefited hugely from her dedicated service. Her experience and dedication would prove invaluable with the challenges that lie ahead.
Judith Beineke
Fort Wayne
Duff committed to FWCS schools
Anne Duff is running for re-election to the Fort Wayne Community Schools board and is an obvious choice.
She attended schools in Fort Wayne and taught in the school system for 17 years, her children have attended and graduated from schools in the system, she was a PTA president for five years and she has served four years on the board.
As a parent and PTA president, Anne became concerned about what was happening in public education in Indiana. She studied the issues and committed to joining those who were speaking up. She understands the problems facing our schools and, with other board members, works to find solutions that fit Fort Wayne Community Schools.
She is creative, energetic, committed and willing to serve, and she is a strong advocate for our public schools. She shows up and speaks up. A vote for her is a vote for strong public schools for all students.
Meg Bloom
Fort Wayne
Anne Duff is running for re-election to the Fort Wayne Community Schools board and is an obvious choice.
She attended schools in Fort Wayne and taught in the school system for 17 years, her children have attended and graduated from schools in the system, she was a PTA president for five years and she has served four years on the board.
As a parent and PTA president, Anne became concerned about what was happening in public education in Indiana. She studied the issues and committed to joining those who were speaking up. She understands the problems facing our schools and, with other board members, works to find solutions that fit Fort Wayne Community Schools.
She is creative, energetic, committed and willing to serve, and she is a strong advocate for our public schools. She shows up and speaks up. A vote for her is a vote for strong public schools for all students.
Meg Bloom
Fort Wayne
Duff wholeheartedly advocates for education
Before Anne Duff became a member of the Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of Trustees four years ago, she had experience with FWCS as a counselor at North Side High School, PTA president at Bunche-Towles and, most importantly, mother of three children who attended district schools. Anne has also been an advocate for public education through her involvement with grassroots work through the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education and the Network for Public Education.
As an effective and engaged member of the FWCS board, Anne has made it her goal to visit schools throughout the district and to blog about what she has learned. She has also made it a point to become informed about school funding, and she travels to Indianapolis frequently to attend legislative hearings and state board meetings about education. She cares about doing the right things for all children, and rather than just talking about doing these things, she throws herself into whatever she sets her mind to and, with little fanfare, she accomplishes whatever she sets out to do.
Anne has been walking and canvassing in neighborhoods nearly every day, talking with people and encouraging them not only to vote for her, but also to get involved in advocating for public schools.
Because of Anne Duff's intelligence, energy and tenacity, I strongly support her, and I encourage you to vote for her for at-large school board.
Phyllis A. Bush
Fort Wayne
Before Anne Duff became a member of the Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of Trustees four years ago, she had experience with FWCS as a counselor at North Side High School, PTA president at Bunche-Towles and, most importantly, mother of three children who attended district schools. Anne has also been an advocate for public education through her involvement with grassroots work through the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education and the Network for Public Education.
As an effective and engaged member of the FWCS board, Anne has made it her goal to visit schools throughout the district and to blog about what she has learned. She has also made it a point to become informed about school funding, and she travels to Indianapolis frequently to attend legislative hearings and state board meetings about education. She cares about doing the right things for all children, and rather than just talking about doing these things, she throws herself into whatever she sets her mind to and, with little fanfare, she accomplishes whatever she sets out to do.
Anne has been walking and canvassing in neighborhoods nearly every day, talking with people and encouraging them not only to vote for her, but also to get involved in advocating for public schools.
Because of Anne Duff's intelligence, energy and tenacity, I strongly support her, and I encourage you to vote for her for at-large school board.
Phyllis A. Bush
Fort Wayne
JGLETTERS
Thursday, October 11, 2018 1:00 amLettersLifetime of service merits Duff's re-election
Re-electing Anne Duff to our Fort Wayne Community Schools board is an easy choice.
Anne is passionate about children, energetic in her pursuit to acquire their best advantages, and deeply committed to serving our community. She has served our school system for many years in multiple capacities – as a teacher, guidance counselor, parent advocate for her own three children and as a pro-active member of the school board.
Anne is sensitive to parents' concerns and works hard to listen and respond when offered a challenge. She's knowledgeable about the Indiana education system because she's spent her professional career working with others to provide our kids with resources that enable them to achieve to their fullest potential. And, Anne is invested in bringing the brightest possible future to our community so as to encourage growth and opportunity in our region.
I'm proud to endorse Anne Duff and I hope you will give her your vote on Nov. 6.
Sia Faulk
Fort Wayne
Thursday, October 11, 2018 1:00 amLettersLifetime of service merits Duff's re-election
Re-electing Anne Duff to our Fort Wayne Community Schools board is an easy choice.
Anne is passionate about children, energetic in her pursuit to acquire their best advantages, and deeply committed to serving our community. She has served our school system for many years in multiple capacities – as a teacher, guidance counselor, parent advocate for her own three children and as a pro-active member of the school board.
Anne is sensitive to parents' concerns and works hard to listen and respond when offered a challenge. She's knowledgeable about the Indiana education system because she's spent her professional career working with others to provide our kids with resources that enable them to achieve to their fullest potential. And, Anne is invested in bringing the brightest possible future to our community so as to encourage growth and opportunity in our region.
I'm proud to endorse Anne Duff and I hope you will give her your vote on Nov. 6.
Sia Faulk
Fort Wayne
Journal Gazette 10/9/2018
Dedication earns Duff another school board term
We are writing to endorse Anne Duff for her second term as a member at-large on the Fort Wayne Community Schools board.
Anne is a strong supporter of public schools. She is a graduate of North Side High School; she taught in Warsaw public schools; and she served five years as a guidance counselor at North Side. Also, Anne's three children attend or graduated from schools in FWCS. Before being elected to her first term on the school board, Anne was a regular observer at FWCS board meetings.
As a member of Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education, Anne has spoken to local groups as well as to Indiana state legislators on the importance of fully supporting our public schools.
FWCS is the largest school district in our state. We need strong, active citizens like Anne Duff to serve on our school board.
Alan and Kathy Candioto
Fort Wayne
Dedication earns Duff another school board term
We are writing to endorse Anne Duff for her second term as a member at-large on the Fort Wayne Community Schools board.
Anne is a strong supporter of public schools. She is a graduate of North Side High School; she taught in Warsaw public schools; and she served five years as a guidance counselor at North Side. Also, Anne's three children attend or graduated from schools in FWCS. Before being elected to her first term on the school board, Anne was a regular observer at FWCS board meetings.
As a member of Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education, Anne has spoken to local groups as well as to Indiana state legislators on the importance of fully supporting our public schools.
FWCS is the largest school district in our state. We need strong, active citizens like Anne Duff to serve on our school board.
Alan and Kathy Candioto
Fort Wayne
Journal Gazette 10/8/2018
Duff will uphold standards for FWCS
Anne Duff, currently serving as board secretary, is seeking a second term as a member at large of the Fort Wayne Community Schools board.
I have watched Anne competently represent and advocate for FWCS for the past several years. As a parent of three children in FWCS, a former teacher and PTA president, Anne will continue to represent the hopes and concerns of families as well as using her perspective of serving on the board. A staunch supporter of public education, Anne advocates for students, teachers and staff. She is concerned about fully funding public education so all children have the opportunity to have a quality education. She wants to continue to work with the board and the state to ensure that testing is appropriate and reasonable in cost and time needed to administer.
Returning Anne Duff as a member at large for the FWCS board will serve our community well. Anne has the experience, passion, intelligence and commitment to continue the quality we expect from our FWCS.
Lucy Hess
Fort Wayne
http://www.journalgazette.net/opin…/letters/20181008/letters
Duff will uphold standards for FWCS
Anne Duff, currently serving as board secretary, is seeking a second term as a member at large of the Fort Wayne Community Schools board.
I have watched Anne competently represent and advocate for FWCS for the past several years. As a parent of three children in FWCS, a former teacher and PTA president, Anne will continue to represent the hopes and concerns of families as well as using her perspective of serving on the board. A staunch supporter of public education, Anne advocates for students, teachers and staff. She is concerned about fully funding public education so all children have the opportunity to have a quality education. She wants to continue to work with the board and the state to ensure that testing is appropriate and reasonable in cost and time needed to administer.
Returning Anne Duff as a member at large for the FWCS board will serve our community well. Anne has the experience, passion, intelligence and commitment to continue the quality we expect from our FWCS.
Lucy Hess
Fort Wayne
http://www.journalgazette.net/opin…/letters/20181008/letters

"...voters would be well served to re-elect board President Mark GiaQuinta and to elect Anne Duff to the at-large seats. Both are knowledgeable of the politics shaping public education today and aware of the important role FWCS plays in the community's civic and economic health."
"Duff offers a strong education background and valuable insight of district policy on students and families. A former FWCS teacher and guidance counselor, she has three children enrolled in the district. She's a volunteer for the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education and an active PTA member. She's been attending FWCS board meetings for about two years."
"Duff, whose children have participated in the district's magnet-school programs, is a strong supporter of the FWCS choice program. She won't hesitate to question the administration about classroom and building policies, but her record shows she will have done her homework on any issue that arises."
"Duff offers a strong education background and valuable insight of district policy on students and families. A former FWCS teacher and guidance counselor, she has three children enrolled in the district. She's a volunteer for the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education and an active PTA member. She's been attending FWCS board meetings for about two years."
"Duff, whose children have participated in the district's magnet-school programs, is a strong supporter of the FWCS choice program. She won't hesitate to question the administration about classroom and building policies, but her record shows she will have done her homework on any issue that arises."

1L PAC includes: Fort Wayne Education Association, Fort Wayne Classified Association, Fort Wayne Nurses Association, Bus Drivers of Fort Wayne

The Network for Public Education is an advocacy group whose goal is to fight to protect, preserve and strengthen our public school system, an essential institution in a democratic society.

"We like GiaQuinta and Duff. GiaQuinta has served the board, including as president, through some challenging times. His experience will invaluable. Duff is a former educator and guidance counselor and North Side High School with children still in the school system. She has prepared by attending school board meetings, visiting with state and local school board members, and attending hearings on education."
What others are saying about Anne
"I know first-hand that local governance of our schools is key to our success of bringing real change to education at the state level. [Anne supports] our efforts to bring equity and high quality to all Indiana classrooms. That means less reliance on high-stakes testing and more support for reading and teaching in the classroom. I agree with [Anne] that the best ideas come from local communities----not just Indianapolis."
- Glenda Ritz, Superintendent of Public Instruction
"Since Anne announced her candidacy, she has been out in Fort Wayne neighborhoods nearly every day, talking with people, and encouraging them not only to vote for her, but also to get involved in advocating for public schools. Because of Anne’s intelligence, her energy, and her tenacity, I strongly support her, and I encourage you to vote for Anne Duff for FWCS School Board At Large on November 4th."
-Phyllis Bush, retired educator, NEIFPE co-founder, Network for Pubic Education board member
"It was my honor to work with Anne Duff for a number of years and I always found her to be a hard working, reliable and loyal servant leader. She was the kind of educator and worker who was a joy to serve with on the same team. Anne always has her quality work done well before any deadline. And as a servant leader she always put what was best for others, especially for the students, first. She would be an asset to any organization, especially to the Fort Wayne Community School Board, as she is a well informed advocate for public education as she has shown through her many years of volunteerism at her children's public schools.
- Ellen Cavacini, retired Program Director, Leadership Fort Wayne
“(Anne Duff is) someone who will strengthen the Board! I heartily endorse Anne who is an ardent supporter of quality public education.”
-Mark GiaQuinta, member, FWCS Board of Trustees
"Anne is a quiet, caring and thoughtful leader who has been a teacher in the public schools and has three children in the public schools at this time. Anne is an active member of the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education and has been a PTA President in her children's schools. Because she has consistently attended the Fort Wayne Community Schools board meetings as well as many state board meetings in Indianapolis Anne has a firm grasp on what needs to be done and has shown to all of us that she is willing to follow through on these ideas and projects. She would be a true advocate for the students and teachers in Fort Wayne."
-Susie Berry, retired educator, NEIFPE member
"Anne Duff is a true advocate for public education. She has served as a high school counselor and as a PTA president at her children’s public school. She faithfully attends public school board meetings. She travels to the Statehouse in Indianapolis to attend state board meetings. Having researched educational issues and being involved as a member of the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education, Anne is quite aware of the needs of public schools, teachers, and students. She most certainly knows how damaging the current educational reform is to public schools and their neighborhoods, their communities, their towns, and their cities. Anne Duff is more than qualified to be a strong voice for public education on the FWCS School Board.
-Donna Roof, educator; NEIFPE member
"I know first-hand that local governance of our schools is key to our success of bringing real change to education at the state level. [Anne supports] our efforts to bring equity and high quality to all Indiana classrooms. That means less reliance on high-stakes testing and more support for reading and teaching in the classroom. I agree with [Anne] that the best ideas come from local communities----not just Indianapolis."
- Glenda Ritz, Superintendent of Public Instruction
"Since Anne announced her candidacy, she has been out in Fort Wayne neighborhoods nearly every day, talking with people, and encouraging them not only to vote for her, but also to get involved in advocating for public schools. Because of Anne’s intelligence, her energy, and her tenacity, I strongly support her, and I encourage you to vote for Anne Duff for FWCS School Board At Large on November 4th."
-Phyllis Bush, retired educator, NEIFPE co-founder, Network for Pubic Education board member
"It was my honor to work with Anne Duff for a number of years and I always found her to be a hard working, reliable and loyal servant leader. She was the kind of educator and worker who was a joy to serve with on the same team. Anne always has her quality work done well before any deadline. And as a servant leader she always put what was best for others, especially for the students, first. She would be an asset to any organization, especially to the Fort Wayne Community School Board, as she is a well informed advocate for public education as she has shown through her many years of volunteerism at her children's public schools.
- Ellen Cavacini, retired Program Director, Leadership Fort Wayne
“(Anne Duff is) someone who will strengthen the Board! I heartily endorse Anne who is an ardent supporter of quality public education.”
-Mark GiaQuinta, member, FWCS Board of Trustees
"Anne is a quiet, caring and thoughtful leader who has been a teacher in the public schools and has three children in the public schools at this time. Anne is an active member of the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education and has been a PTA President in her children's schools. Because she has consistently attended the Fort Wayne Community Schools board meetings as well as many state board meetings in Indianapolis Anne has a firm grasp on what needs to be done and has shown to all of us that she is willing to follow through on these ideas and projects. She would be a true advocate for the students and teachers in Fort Wayne."
-Susie Berry, retired educator, NEIFPE member
"Anne Duff is a true advocate for public education. She has served as a high school counselor and as a PTA president at her children’s public school. She faithfully attends public school board meetings. She travels to the Statehouse in Indianapolis to attend state board meetings. Having researched educational issues and being involved as a member of the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education, Anne is quite aware of the needs of public schools, teachers, and students. She most certainly knows how damaging the current educational reform is to public schools and their neighborhoods, their communities, their towns, and their cities. Anne Duff is more than qualified to be a strong voice for public education on the FWCS School Board.
-Donna Roof, educator; NEIFPE member