Carrie Fowler is Fighting for Us.

Carrie Fowler has ALWAYS been a strong advocate for children, for teachers, and a fighter for social justice. She has committed herself to being a Voice for the Voiceless throughout her life, and especially now as her right to sit on Harrisburg School District School Board, as she was dually elected by the people of Harrisburg to do, is in jeopardy. The legal fees to defend her seat on the board will climb above the $7,000 mark. As a professional social worker who makes a small income in her full-time job, and the school board is an unpaid position, paying legal fees is impossible. She needs the support of the community to defend her right to be there for our children, families, and teachers. A political opponent during the primary and his handler have dug up a misdemeanor from 16 years ago and filed a complaint to try and get Carrie removed from the board. Carrie Fowler has always been open and honest about her past. She struggled through poverty, an abusive relationship, and an undiagnosed mental health challenge that created a difficult time in her life. While the life lesson from this event was remembered, not in a million years did Carrie believe that this lesson from 16 years ago would make her ineligible to do what she does best in her life, advocate for children and work with undying commitment to change lives for the better. Just since taking office ONLY DAYS AGO, Carrie Fowler has: Carrie is opening dialog and speaking with program providers of services to children with incarcerated parents as well as school-to-prison pipeline diversion programs. These providers previously approached board members and administrators and felt their services fell on deaf ears with no action or follow up. Carrie knows that if we are serious about making a difference in our schools and communities these programs are vital and MUST be heard and integrated. Identified the School Board was lacking Disciplinary oversight. Without a Disciplinary Committee, the school district is not properly ensuring both equitable and fair disciplinary action OR making good on the promise of transparency to children, parents, teachers, administrators, and the public at large. Carrie has recommended the action item to the board president to establish a Disciplinary Committee charged with the mission to make sure accountability standards are being met at all levels of the school. Carrie has learned that there are over 30 grievances that have been ignored. Carrie is outraged. Grievances should NEVER be ignored and should be addressed with seriousness and commitment to resolve. Carrie has also learned that while Teachers are begging to have continuing education classes to help them better address urban student issues. When these requests are heard, the classes or seminars are being announced mear hours before they are to take place. This is utterly unacceptable and completely unfair to our Teachers. Carrie is listening to the needs of our Teachers as they are our front lines doing the heavy lifting of helping change lives in our schools and communities.