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The 2001 failure of the Stillwater local levy was a wake-up call for the Jackson family.  “Many of us had assumed that public schools were still the priority for most Minnesotan’s.  The political rhetoric had become so negative and the popular "facts" about public schools were so misleading, that we felt somebody had to step in to tell the truth about our schools. 

"Too many citizens still today have an incorrect set of assumptions about the waste and mismanagement in the public schools.  It's up to parents of public school children to set the record straight.  My grandfather was a teacher, my father was a teacher and my wife was a teacher.  I have a great respect for the American institution of public education and its role as a cornerstone of our democracy and economy.”

Eric and Jerilyn are the parents of two children in the Stillwater public schools. Eric's leisure time with his family is spent as much as possible outdoors—camping, canoeing, kayaking, cross country skiing, fly fishing; at the cabin, as a scout leader, as a church youth group leader, and on family vacations and outings.  Advocacy is also a family passion in the Jackson household, something everyone works on together.  Eric also enjoys sharing the results of his efforts as a “hobby gourmet chef.”

"There are many points of view about what constitutes a “good education”. But at the end of the day, nothing we can do as parents and citizens is more important than fighting for our kids—all kids—to have access to exceptional public schools. This requires resources—and it is the resource issue that becomes the political battleground. The more the public understands the connection between strong education resources and strong children, the more support our schools will receive. I am dedicated to delivering this understanding to the citizens of Minnesota. I cannot imagine a more important calling."

—Eric Jackson
ejackson.home@gmail.com