Candidate for
Board Member; Tracy Joint Unified School District; 4 Year Term

Budget

It is clear that the budget problems in Sacramento will continue to have a significant impact on school district funding. My number one priority will be to work towards ensuring the district receives the highest level of funds from the State that is possible. I support agreements with the City wherever practical to enhance our ability to increase funding (Joint Use Agreements, renegotiate developer agreements, etc.). I am also an advocate of upgrading the energy efficiency of our mechanical systems wherever feasible so savings can to go to other areas within the school district. Once receiving the maximum funding possible, my priority will be to ensure that the money we received is spent as wisely and efficiently as possible.

Test Scores

While I am not a fan of government mandated test score goals, it is the environment in which we are required to operate. I think we can enhance our efforts by encouraging clear communication and support between parents and teachers. This can be done through the more effective use of technological innovation to foster partnerships between teachers and parents.

I also believe we need to recognize that not all students will go to college right out of high school. We need to develop programs that address the needs of these students so that they benefit from their school experience and are prepared to enter the work force upon graduation from high school. To help accomplish this, we need to ensure we are taking full advantage of Federal and State Career and Technical education (CTE) funding.

None of this is possible unless we attract and retain quality teachers and staff, and then work together towards creating a successful learning environment by constantly monitoring, updating, and improving our teaching systems, materials, and methods. I believe if we create a successful learning environment our test scores will improve in kind.

Safety

I am very interested in the safety of our campuses, and support enhancements to our security systems and procedures. I support the Measure S Bond, and I am conficent we will be able to use these funds to make significant improvement in safety and security at all our campuses.

This school district has undertaken some projects, long overdue in my opinion, that are going to provide our children with the kind of physical environment that promotes quality education. But, pretty buildings do not teach anyone. It is what happens between the freshly painted walls of those new buildings that will determine the success of our children. It will take the efforts of all of us as members of the community, working together, to see that our children leave high school adequately prepared for the world of the 21st century.

I believe that we can work together to generate innovative solutions to the challenges we are sure to face, and I am committed to working towards these solutions. I promise that I will consider the opinions and concerns of everyone - teachers, employees, parents, and students - with an open mind. No one is an expert in all matters that will come before the Board, and I have learned that one of the best ways to learn is to listen. I promise an open ear and mind to all members of the community, and will do my best to make good decisions that promote the highest quality education possible for our children