For the Reporter<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Ann Minckler, assistant director of grants and special projects for the Kent School District, has been elected to a representative position on the Race to the Top Executive Committee.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The committee provides oversight for the consortium’s $40 million Race to the Top grant.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The Kent, Auburn, Federal Way, Highline, Renton, Seattle and Tukwila school districts competed together for $40 million in federal funding as the Road Map District Consortium. The districts’ grant was among 16 winners picked from nearly 400 applications by the U.S. Department of Education. The Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) is responsible for managing the grant’s implementation and functions as the fiscal agent.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Joining Minckler as newly elected representatives on the committee are: Hamdi Abdulle, executive director, Somali Youth & Family Club; Cindy Lewis, past president of the Tukwila Education Association; and Sue McCabe, president of the Highline Education Association.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n “We are extremely fortunate to have these dedicated and talented individuals join the executive committee,” said Jessica de Barros, Race to the Top executive director. “Each member has great passion for this work and understands the importance of districts and community organizations partnering together to support students in the region. I know their expertise and experience will strengthen our work.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n A Call for Nominations was held last spring. Key leaders and community partners nominated eight candidates and an election was held in June. As defined in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) included in the Race to the Top Consortium grant application, signatories of the MOU voted on the nominees. Signatories include the superintendents, board presidents and education association presidents of the seven consortium districts and the Puget Sound ESD. The elected candidates received a majority of all votes cast.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n