Candidate, Ravenswood School Board

By Bomani Siwatu

¨ Substantially increasing academic test scores - for example 3rd grade reading score increased 40% in the last three years.

¨ Increased discipline, fewer suspensions and substantially fewer expulsions, providing our students with a safer working environment.

¨ Solid curriculum reflecting high academic standards and improved individual student performance assessments.

¨ Reduced class size (in grades K-3 by 25%), providing teachers the opportunity to give each student more individual attention.

¨ All classrooms have computers and Internet access.

¨ Uniforms are required for all, decreasing discipline problems, providing more time on task and helping students focus on education.

¨ Recognizing that we need total community support, we've established many collaborative relationships including:

¨ With the City of Menlo Park - to develop a state of the art public library at Belle Haven Elementary School.

¨ Communities in Schools - establishing the 49er Academy providing additional assistance and focusing of support services.

¨ Boys and Girls Club - to develop an $8,000,000 Boys and Girls Club on the Ronald McNair Campus.

¨ City of East Palo Alto - for the Summer Youth Program providing summer recreation activities for our youth.

¨ Summer Bridge Program - an alliance between the Ravenswood, the Boys and Girls Club, several private schools, the Sequoia High School District to help transition our students to high school envisioning college.

¨ Center for New Generation - Student Enrichment Program providing additional music, computer training, art, a host of after-school activities.

BACKGROUND/EXPERTISE/VOLUNTEERISM

PERSONAL · Parent, one child still attending in the Ravenswood City School District

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND · Candidate, Masters in Business Administration, California State University Hayward · Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, Concentration in Applied Mathematics, San Francisco State University · Bachelor's Degree in Black Studies, Concentration in Sociology, San Francisco State University · Certificate in Continuous Improvement for Total Quality, University of California Berkeley Extension

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND · Software Quality Assurance Technical Lead - Computer Network Systems · Certified Quality Manager, American Society for Quality · Certified Quality Engineer, American Society for Quality · Certified Quality Auditor, American Society for Quality

VOLUNTEER WORK AND MEMBERSHIPS · Ravenswood School District, Board of Trustees · National School Boards Association - Black Caucus, Vice-President Pacific Regional · Coalition of California Black School Board Members - President · California School Boards Association - African-American Conference Planning Committee · National Alliance of Black School Educators - Policy Committee · San Mateo County Committee of School District Organization · Community in Schools 49er Academy Board · School Board Liaison to the Boy's and Girl's Club · San Mateo County School Boards Association · City of East Palo Alto, Arts and Culture Committee · City of East Palo Alto, Year 2000 Committee · City of East Palo Alto, Gateway 101 Redevelopment Project Area Committee · School Site Council, President · Ravenswood City School District Committees: § Technology § Curriculum and Assessments § Budget and Finance

WHAT WILL BE DONE

¨ Every child will be reading by the 1st grade.

¨ Every child will have High School level Algebra by the 8th grade.

¨ A comprehensive technology curriculum developed and implemented reflecting 21st century needs.

¨ All schools will be above grade average.

¨ More competitive salaries so that we can better attract and retain the most qualified staff.

¨ Increasing student outreach programs to support our high school students.

¨ Student discipline will be focused on student responsibility.

¨ Increasing after school support programs such as homework centers, band, science and math clubs, chess clubs, and sports