Political Philosophy for Pedro "Pete" Gonzalez

Candidate for
Board Member; South San Francisco Unified School District

Accountability, Responsibility, and Accessibility need to start at the top . . . in our School Board!

Our School Board continues to do things the way they've been done for the past 40 years. Changes in our lifestyles and in technology make it necessary for us to adapt to meet the current needs of our students, parents, teachers, and residents. We have to use our resources wisely and creatively.

I will be accessible to you. I live in the South San Francisco Unified School District full-time. Teachers, students, and parents should be able to contact their School Board representatives easily to share concerns AND successes. You shouldn't have to wait until the next School Board meeting!

Our test scores are low, even compared to those in neighboring districts. Morale among teachers and staff is also suffering. Well-trained and innovative teachers are being lured away by more supportive school districts. Our teachers and students deserve a positive environment that is conducive to learning. We need to attract and recognize teachers and staff who are inspiring and surpassing achievement goals.

The diverse ethnic make-up of our student population is a wonderful challenge and life experience for all of us. Regardless of the background of any family, we all want the same thing: the best possible educational opportunities for our kids. Those students who are considered Limited English Proficient (LEP) must have resources available to them so they may more quickly enter the mainstream. Also, our standards for passing a student from one grade to another must be based on skills achieved and mastered, not simply on their age. We cannot continue to allow students to go out into the world without the basic foundations, dooming them to lead unproductive and unfulfilling lives!

In order to get things done, a School Board must also have a good working relationship with the cities in which the schools are located. I am happy to have the support of the majority of the South San Francisco City Council. I look forward to translating that positive relationship into productive results for our students and schools.

If we don't expect much, we won't get much. Let's have School Board members who can roll up their sleeves, research options, listen to the people directly affected by School Board decisions, have constructive discussions, and take well-planned action.

There are many challenges facing our School District. Among them are the state mandates of lowering class size (which is a great opportunity), and the passage of Proposition 227. We must adapt these to our district . . . to serve our students best. Teachers and parents need a supportive School Board now, more than ever!

Through my work in the community I speak with parents very often. Your concern for the safety and quality of education for our children is real. That is why I am so excited to be working on "FAMILIES ON TRACK" and "THE LEARNING CENTER" - two programs that will enhance learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom. I also worked hard for the passage of Measure C - a $40 million school bond issue to be used for structural improvements of our school buildings. You voted that bond through. Now I want to be sure that your bond money is used efficiently and properly for the benefit of our schools.

I believe in our students, teachers, and families. If the opportunities are provided, they will take advantage of them, adapt them to their needs, and succeed.

Allow me to bring my experience of teamwork, leadership, and community spirit to our School Board. I look forward to representing you with enthusiasm and, most importantly, with your concerns uppermost in my mind.

Thank you for your support and your vote on Tuesday, November 3rd!

Pedro "Pete" Gonzalez