Candidate for
Board Member; Mount Diablo Unified School District

It has been my privilege to the Mt. Diablo Unified School District as trustee since November 1997. I have sought solutions which acknowledge the varied needs of students, provide increases for employees, expand and upgrade facilities, ensure the district's financial stability, and honor the values of our voters and taxpayers.

My focus has always been on improving the condition of children and families. I am also a strong advocate for public schools. I believe that without public schools our democracy as we know it, would not exist. Our democracy is dependent upon an educated people: employable, engaged in civic activities, focused on life long learning and accountable. I do not support the use of public fund vouchers for private school enrollment.

As an involved community leader, parent and volunteer, I bring experience to MDUSD's Board of Education, strengthening our district's ability to implement a responsive, accountable education program. Increasingly our diverse students represent our community throughout the nation and world. We must prepare our students for post secondary education and life experiences, including career technical education or the workforce. Public education for our youth must be our community priority.

My consistent, committed leadership has positively supported Mt. Diablo Unified School District through major challenges: No Child Left Behind, dramatically fluctuating state and federal income, High School Exit Exam, student demographic changes and declining enrollment. Vigilant Measure C construction management meets the pledge to voters for new classrooms and facility improvements and features technology centers at our sixteen middle and high schools.

LINDA'S PRIORITIES

• Academic excellence is paramount. Graduation rates and student performance steadily improve through my support of increased student access to rigorous program, standardized curriculum, career integrated education, English learner programs, student support services, reduced class size and preschool expansion.
• Staff recruitment, effective training and employee compensation are the primary contributing factors to academic achievement.
• Parent involvement, parent friendly and safe schools to ensure student success.
• Adult education and early childhood programs which complement our educational offerings.
• Continued facility improvements and infrastructure supporting student/staff efforts.

• EMPLOYEE RELATIONS. Successfully completed three employee bargaining periods, each resulting in new 3-year contracts. Voluntarily added an additional 2% to the bargained contract + 1% on July 1, 2006 and on January 1, 2007 $619 per cell for MDEA and 1% for other bargaining units.
• FISCALLY SOLVENT ORGANIZATION. Yearly balanced budgets approved by the Contra Costa County Office of Education.
• IMPROVING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. Approved K-12 standards based curriculum, textbooks and instructional in-service; K-5 standards based report cards; academic intervention; fourth Leadership Institute held August 2006. Increased student access to Advanced Placement and Honors classes. Offered first Summer Arts Academy for middle school students in 2006.
• FACILITIES. Championed two facility bonds yielding, with Prop 55 funding, more than $430 million of facility improvements and new construction including 16 technology centers, 13 multi-use rooms, five mini-gyms. Approved other funds for two new schools, mini-gym, athletic venue upgrades, etc. and land purchase for third new school.
• PARENT INVOLVEMENT. Approved no-cost fingerprinting for parent and community volunteers, and K-12 parent notification system.

• Approved reduced class size K-3 and 9th grade
• Expanded Kindergarten reduction in underperforming schools
• Approved High School Smaller Learning Communities and Academies
• Celebrated overall improved high school graduation rate
• Provided After-School Learning Programs at 12 sites; Early Childhood Programs at 7 sites
• Expanded the Before School Breakfast Program to include eleven additional sites in 2006
• Approved career integrated curriculum and promote business/educator collaboration
• Approved parent projects combined with district funds for athletic facility upgrades and a theatre
• Collaborated with CC County & cities for new and modernized athletic facilities and safe school access
• Celebrated

2002 California State Teacher of the Year

2003 CCC Teacher of the Year

2 "NCLB" National Blue Ribbon Schools

17 California Distinguished Schools (1998-2006)- seven in 2006!

VISIT -- http://WWW.LindaMAYO.org

Mt. Diablo Unified School District 2005-2006 Annual Report http://www.mdusd.k12.ca.us