Issues

My approach to being a trustee will be:

To listen to all viewpoints using the 3-C’s:

Consensus - Finding the middle to move the issue forward
Cooperation - Working with all stakeholders and allied agencies
Compassion - Treat everyone and their viewpoints with dignity and respect

As a trustee of our schools, I believe in:
Inclusion – Our schools must serve the needs of all students. In addition to the high quality preparation offered to college bound students, we need stronger career technical (vocational) education to prepare students for all types of occupations.
Fiscal Responsibility – Budgets have to be balanced to revenues available. I would strive for long range budgeting, especially for the District’s facility repair needs.
Employee Relations – I’ll understand the viewpoints of the teachers and others doing the work in the schools.
Planning – We have to plan for the future we want for our children. We need to increase partnerships with the business community. For example, we need programs to help students to explore, try and intern in career options.
Accountability – Learning goals, and fiscal plans need measures to chart progress.

Measure M

I have seen first hand the positive results with small class sizes in the early primary grades and this is where most of the funds go. I served on the Measure D Citizens oversight Committee this past Spring and can say the District is spending the supplemental funds for the programs promised in the Measure. This is an extension along with a modest cost-of-living increase and still allows seniors to ask for an exemption. In another five years, if the state funding situation still is not enough, the District must ask the voters again, or the Measure sunsets.