Schools
Lakewood School Board Election 2011: Emma Petrie-Barcelona
As part of our election coverage, Lakewood Patch will provide profiles of each of the city's school board candidates.
Name: Emma Petrie-Barcelona
Age: 33
Occupation: Economics and Community Development
Education: MS Urban Studies/Economic Development Cleveland State University '03, BA Economics, History, Public Policy, Political Science St. Mary's College of Maryland '99, Lakewood High School '95
Political Affiliation: Democrat, however Board members serve the district on a nonpartisan basis).
Office Sought: Board of Education
Previous Political Office Sought or Held: None
Candidate Statement:
Public education is strongly valued in our community and as a 1995 graduate of Lakewood High School, the quality and experiences that I received from the Lakewood City Schools positively impacted my career, further education, and life. It is that same quality and value I want to help preserve for my children, including my Lincoln kindergartener, as they are the next generation of Lakewood students in our family. After receiving my Bachelors of Arts in Economics, Public Policy, and History, I moved back to Cleveland and have worked in economic research, economic development and public sector economics. In addition, I completed my Masters Degree in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University's Levin School of Urban Affairs in 2003. These experiences provide me with the depth and scope that the school board needs under these current economic and budget conditions.
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For four years, I served you as Development Officer in the Department of Planning & Development for the City of Lakewood managing federal funds compliance and programs for the city and supported economic development work of the department. In the Lakewood community, I have been a swim coach for the Lakewood Recreation Swim Team and also a trustee of the Lakewood Alumni Foundation for the past three years. My work on the foundation, currently serving as the organization's treasurer, has provided insight and experience in the budget needs of the schools and the unique and award-winning programs we support. The schools belong to all of us and are performing the important functions of enriching the minds of our youth and developing the needed skills that serve our community in the future. Finally, as a team player I know serving on the board is greater than any single member. Being able to work and communicate with each other will be very important and my skills, experiences, and attitude will serve the community well.
