Candidate for
Board Member; San Ramon Valley Unified School District

I am committed to working with our parents, teachers, administration and community to provide the best education possible for every child.

I keep a mug on my bathroom sink that I see first thing every morning. It says, "It's amazing what we can do together". Our School District has thrived, even in difficult financial times, because we have worked together. Through community support we've been able to renovate and improve our school facilities and save programs that enable our children to receive a well rounded education. Our parents are not only ensuring that their children come to school prepared to learn, but also get involved in their schools and local PTAs. Through partnerships with the City of San Ramon and the Town of Danville we've been able to: coordinate programs; create joint use gymnasium, performing arts and aquatic facilities; and develop our school grounds into neighborhood parks helping to keep valuable dollars in the classroom while providing amenities for the general public. Our teachers and administrative staff have worked with the Board by sharing the burden of state cuts to ensure that we stay financially solvent while maintaining educational programs and saving jobs during these very difficult economic times.

I believe in working together to find solutions and continuing to improve the quality of life and education in our valley. I believe in teamwork. I believe in building partnerships. I will work hard to continue to maintain these strong relationships through consensus building, sound fiscal oversight and mutual respect. The School Board is in place to represent the best interests of our children and our community and I will l do my best to do just that.

These are very difficult financial times for school districts across the state of California and the nation. The next two years particularly will test the resiliency of our public education system. I believe I have the skills and experience to help lead us through this dire situation as we continue to provide the best education possible to meet our children's future needs. I will continue to ask the tough questions and am not afraid to make the difficult decisions, but we will move forward only by working together.