Candidate for
Board Member; Laguna Beach Unified School District

PUBLIC SERVICE IS A FAMILY TRADITION

I come from a tradition of public service. My grandfather was a probate and magistrate judge in Pike County, Missouri for 40 years. My father sat on the school board in my hometown of Louisiana, Missouri (pop. 4,000) for 8 years and was also on the Board of Deacons and Elders at our Church. My mother volunteered tirelessly with the Red Cross, PTA and our public Library. It is my turn to try to make a difference in my community now.

After graduating from the University of Washington with a BA in English Literature, I worked for Piper Jaffray in Seattle in their Public Finance division underwriting municipal bonds. When we moved to Los Angeles, I took a job with Wilshire Associates in the Asset Management division which had over $1.3 billion under management at the time. These jobs have given me valuable experience in dealing with public monies.

I have been married for 22 years to Dr. Jeb Brown and have had four children. Michael, 17, is a senior and Kacky, 14, is a freshman both of whom are at LBHS. Annie, 9, is a 4th grader at Top of the World. Our daughter Sarah died when she was 15 months old. Of all things, this has taught me that you need to make each day count and make a difference when and where you can.

A COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION AND COMMUITY

I have been immersed in the culture of Laguna Beach Unified for the past 13 years volunteering in the classroom as well as taking leadership roles with the elementary, middle and high school PTAs, Boosters and committees such as the Q4e Academic Depth and LBUSD Drug & Alcohol Abuse Task Force. I also spearheaded the effort to stop Sacramento from taking away our Basic Aid status which would have decimated our schools. I worked for the passage of Measure R which was the $40,000,000 facilities renovation bond. I also sit on the Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Foundation board which facilitates matching donors with recipients.

I have volunteered my time with the Friendship Shelter, sitting on the board for six years and am a charter member of their "Renaissance Club". I am active with Laguna Presbyterian Church, having served on the Board of Deacons from 1993 to 1998 and 2000 to 2001 and am currently on the Board of Elders.

I have been involved with nearly every aspect of the school environment for many years and have many yet to serve. I truly believe that now is the time for me to step up and try to make a LBUSD education the best education available.