Accomplishments as Board Member

By Marina J. Stariha

Team work and continuity is key to success. I have the time, experience, knowledge to keep us moving forward.

• Passed a $35 million Bond
• Reading Program that works
• Networked all the schools
• Increased use of technology
• Always within budget
• Increased Advanced Placement courses
• Increased vocational skills courses (teachers, principal and I worked together to get "Cisco" networking course)
• Community Service Learning Program
• Conflict Resolution at all our schools
• Peer counseling
• PE Program at Elementary schools
• Adopted Language Arts and Math curriculum
• Healthy Start at Hatch
• Bought 4 new buses
• Introduced "Interest-based" bargaining with CUTA
• Adopted a good discipline policy
• Achieved test scores above county and state averages
• District Funded Athletic Programs
• Support for music programs
• Partnership with El Granada Quarry Park
• Hired a third administrator at the High School
• Hired a Curriculum Director (no extra cost to District)
• Partnerships with the City, Boys and Girls Club, Swim Club, Public Library, San Mateo County of Education, for after school activities
• and, yes, we have maximized our assets

We could not have accompished these things in isolation. Many people were responsible for fund raising, putting in time, and the belief in the benefits to students for specific programs. Team work is key to success.

Our school community truly is, community, and I would like to continue to be part of it in my role as Board Member. Exciting times are ahead!

I would urge voters to read Proposition 8 very carefully. We already have class size reduction and "zero tolerance" in place. The other components are extremely costly, ineffective, and bureaucratic. I voted "NO!" on prop. 8 by absentee ballot last week.