Candidate for
Board Member; Modesto City Schools; Full Term

My Name is Michael Scheid; I am a candidate for Modesto City Schools Board of Education. I have lived in Modesto since 1991 with my wife, Marilyn, and our four sons Christopher, Michael, James, and William. Personally, and as a family, we have benefitted from education, and believe lifelong learning is instrumental to success.

I graduated from California State University Northridge in 1986 with Bachelors Degrees in both Religious Studies and Political Science, Cum Laude. I worked my way through school unloading boxcars and trucks at a warehouse in the San Fernando Valley area of Southern California. I then received my Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1989, while working as a law clerk in the LA City Attorney's Office.

Upon becoming an attorney, we chose to move our family to Modesto. I was a Deputy District Attorney in the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office Criminal Division from 1991-1995, and the District Attorney Family Support Division until 2003. I have been in private practice at Perry & Associates since 2003. I practice with a full criminal defense caseload representing defendants accused of crimes. I also represent clients in personal injury cases. I see on a daily basis what happens when we fail to nurture and educate the children of our community.

I have participated as a parent volunteer when my older sons, Christopher and Michael attended Fremont Open Plan and am involved daily with my younger children's education. I have extensively studied special educational law and have advocated for individual education programs. The personal experience, I have gained from advocating for my own children has lead me to want to become involved on a higher level in order to positively affect the future of all the children in our community. I have also participated as a parent volunteer with Boy Scouts of America Troop 14 Modesto for over 15 years. I understand the importance of the partnership between the parents and schools and the community in the development of our children into productive caring adults.

My wife and I, and have been involved in the education of our four sons for over two decades. We know how important K-12 education is to future success. Our children are molded by what occurs in their homes, their schools, and in their community.

The best way to improve our community for the future is to provide a quality education for all our children today. We need to work in partnership with parents and teachers to provide students the skills and opportunities they need to compete in the modern world.