Candidate for
Board Member; Vista Unified School District

Why I am a candidate

1. District needs a proactive board to handle the tough times ahead.

The school board is not doing its job, which is to set policy and evaluate implementation. This leaves the district run by and for administration. Administration's job is to set procedures that implement the board policy. If the board isn't evaluating then administration will set procedures that are easiest for them. We currently have bureaucracy unchecked.

I can provide the leadership to bring our district on track fiscally and educationally.

What specific steps can we take to improve VUSD situation?

2. We need to tighten our belts together as a team to balance our budget.

Probably the most important step is to get a union contract that will not bankrupt the district. After four years of cutbacks and the threat of take over by the county the union is looking for a board that will be a check on the administration. I can get the union retirement funded if they can give me the future concessions needed to stop our deficit spending.

3. Let's improve our students' literacy so it's the best in the county.

We have great teachers and our system needs to support them to teach literacy, math and science. This academic focus needs to be communicated to the principals and be rewarded. No principal rotation because change is good. Let our principals build the team they need to create the performance our students and community deserve.

4. Get our schools built within budget and on time. The bond is being grossly overspent to the point that our high school is being jeopardized. We need to get the Bond Oversight Committee to do its job. We need to get administration to come in within budget.