Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Tamalpais Union High School District

I believe in high academic standards, with supports in place to see that all students succeed. A diploma from our district means that students have attained a certain level of proficiency in core subjects, such as English and Math. I think this fits all students' needs, whether they are college bound or not. If you have high expectations for students, behaviorally and academically, they will generally meet them. For example, for the past few years the district has had a computer literacy graduation requirement. When first instituted, there was some concern that the lower achieving students would not be able to meet the standard. Since the standard has been in place, the pass rate for our students has been 100%. The district's graduation requirements are higher than the state's, and I believe that serves our community. Our students take a course in social issues, the purpose of which is to provide students with knowledge about relevant health issues, including nutrition, alcohol and drugs, and stress. District students are required to take a course in world cultures and geography, which helps them become geographically literate so that they can better relate geography to the historical, social and cultural aspects of human activities. The district requires four years of English, and a year or fine arts; these are not state requirements, but I believe they help prepare our students for life after high school.

With high academic standards, it is important to ask what the district is doing to support the student who is underachieving. The answer is, while we strive to do more, that we are doing a lot. While Drake, Redwood and Tam are excellent schools, the district recognizes that not all students' needs are met in larger comprehensive high schools. Eight per cent of our students attend our alternative schools, San Andreas and Tamiscal. Small learning communities at the larger schools help students feel more connected. There are supplemental instruction opportunities for students who have not yet met the requirements. Summer school transition programs help at-risk students entering high school. Counselors help our students with the many challenges they face, only some of which are academic. Peer resource classes are also there to help students make healthy choices about their lives.

Philosophically, I believe high school is more than academics; it is the perfect time for students to explore other interests. To that end, the district has many activities where students can find their passion, such as sports, band, drama, student newspapers, leadership and various clubs. Our school to career program provides opportunities for students who want to work in the real world, and the global studies program focuses on travel abroad.

If re-elected to the board, my highest priority would be to maintain high academic standards in an environment that fully supports the emotional and physical well-being of our students. My other top priority is the implementation of the $121 million school bond. The modernization will take a few years, and it must be done in a way that minimally impacts staff and students. The numerous bond committees established by the district reflect its commitment to community involvement in the bond process. The bond must be implemented in a fiscally responsible manner; this is the largest bond passed in the history of Marin's public schools, and we cannot betray the public's trust.