Candidate for
Board Member; Saddleback Valley Unified School District

Excellence
We have prided ourselves on the excellent education that the S.V.U.S.D. provides, but now we must raise the bar even higher. Our district does well compared with other California districts, but California comes in only 40th in the country, and the US is approximately 15th when compared to the industrialized world. Our children need and deserve a world-class education.

Music, Science, and Sports
In order for our children to be fully prepared for life after high school, we must make tough financial choices. Our curriculum should include fine arts, science, and sports. I will work hard to fight for the money needed to regain the programs our children have lost.

Mandatory CA High School Exit Examination
The high school exit exam tests our children for English competency at the 9th and 10th grade level, and tests for Math at the 6th and 7th grade level. Even at these low standards, 20% of our students do not pass these exit exams. We must demand that our children receive the basic building blocks that will allow them to succeed in school and to excel in life.

Self Esteem
Children gain self-esteem not from being told how good they are, but from succeeding in school, sports, or outside activities. We must foster a healthy sense of competition, and provide areas for them to succeed.

Local Control
We are a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people", and as a member of the school board I will not forget that I work for YOU. Parents must have a voice when decisions are made about our schools.

No New Taxes
There will never be enough money to meet every need in a school district. In these hard economic times, it is more important than ever to be creative and find ways to make the money we have go farther. It is the job of the Board of Education to make tough choices when it comes to spending. Our district receives thousands of dollars per student and I will work hard to find ways to put more money into the classrooms where it is needed most.

Health Care in the Schools
School-based health clinics are costly and ineffective. Your tax dollars are better spent by providing a school nurse in each school.