Candidate for
Member; Marin County Board of Education; Trustee Area 6

I will bring the insights and experience of an educator, scientist, and the parent of children who attend public schools, to the Marin County Board of Education.

With over 20 years of experience as a university professor, I will work to strengthen our academic programs, facilitating creativity and critical thinking, imparting a passion for learning, aiming for long term achievement. I will utilize my experience as a scientist to help to establish improved science programs.

I will work to support programs that enhance the life skills of students, including service learning, and respect and safety programs. Our children's education should take place in a safe and nurturing environment, where every child is treated equally, and with respect by peers, teachers and administrators.

The Board and the Office of Education need to work together with parents, teachers and children in our communities to create a safe environment in our schools, and to take the lead in implementing respect and bullying prevention programs in our schools.

As a member of the Board, I will work to ensure that all districts comply with education policies and State and Federal laws, particularly with respect to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

I will collaborate with the Marin Public Works Department to assist school districts in the development of seismic safety community action plans, and with State legislators to provide funding for seismic evaluations and retrofitting of our public school buildings.

I believe that the Marin County Office of Education and the Board should take a leadership role in convincing local school districts to implement detailed seismic evaluation of their vulnerable school buildings, as recommended by the State Architect and the Marin County Civil Grand Jury, and to retrofit the buildings that require it.