What Makes Me the Best Candidate

By Ali Abdolsalehi

The following are a series of plans and methods of advancement for Laguna Schools

Organizations: University of California Technology Advancement Association, Orange County Leadership Council, Community Anti-Drug Association, Southern California Forensics League, University International Relations Society, University Chess Club, Media and Information Systems Society.

Question, what makes me the best Candidate?

I admire everyone that I am running against greatly. For that matter, I admire all people who are willing to take time out from their everyday lives and donate it towards bettering our society's education. Yet there are some major differences in terms of what I can offer. I am an MSCE Certified Computer technician and consultant. My platform is based on the following concepts: Advancement of Technology, Cutting of wasteful Spending, increasing teacher's appreciation, Creating new District safe guard Policies, Opening Sessions, and increased involvement.

Firstly, I have a great deal of knowledge in computers, networking and Cyber Integration. I'm invested in this district completely. My sister is currently the ASB President of LBHS and I have an 8 year old brother who is in the 5th grade. Both my siblings couldn't have made it to where they are without the aid of computer technology. Especially in my brother's case, I went and set up a computer based virtual classroom for him, incorporating all kinds of educational software. This Virtual Classroom, would be a key addition into the curriculum at the elementary and Junior High levels. We need to start technology integration at an Early age. Furthermore, at the high school level, I want to place entire volumes of books and resources on single CD ROM and have them available for the students. I want to incorporate Government freeware into classrooms. I want to lease out Notebook computers to the students and faculty. I am personally willing to setup up every new piece of technology in the district. Also I will give seminars within the district on how to use the new tools which will be implemented.

Secondly, I want to generate money by placing an end to Wasteful spending. For the past several years I have been managing my Family's Hotel/Motel establishments. Learning the value of a dollar, and also inheriting valuable conflict resolution skills, I feel that I can bring some more sense into our district budget. The district has yet to investigate into the federal aid that is available for technology.

Thirdly, I am a product of the education of Laguna Beach Schools. I recently got accepted to a three year Ph.D. program in the Field of Neuropsychology. I owe everything to my teachers and it hurts me when I see and hear that they are under-valued. For that very reason I plan to make teacher's a high district priority, making no exceptions, for the future of our nation is in it's children, yet its education is in its teachers. We need to also take a look at the over crowding in the classrooms.

Fourthly, I want to establish a policy that prevents CFO's and Superintendents as well as any person employed by the district, to sue or take advantage of the district after they fail to live up to their expectations.

Fifthly, I want to terminate the closed sessions of the school board. I feel that this hinders communication. I want to make the Board community friendly and open for district dialogue.

Furthermore, I want to incorporate Music Theory into the class rooms at an early age. I consider this to be a very valuable asset and even consider it to be another language. Studies have shown that music help with Mathematical skills, based on sequences. I also want to bring the Magnate program to Laguna for different programs. We need to start offering more classes that other schools have and that we lack. For example, Various AP programs such as AP sociology/Anthropology/Psychology are not offered in the Laguna Beach Unified district. Basically we need to offer more sections.

Lastly, I would like to increase involvement across the board. I want to personally choose incoming personnel, I want to personally go up to the teachers and students at the various schools and tell them they are doing a great job. Its these little things that bring a district together. In the near future I envision a community center being established sponsored by the district to promote outside information regarding any questions the children might have.

In conclusion, many say they have the great American Novel inside of them, yet they don't have the time nor the resources to develop it. This district is my American Novel. If I have the chance to implement my ideas and see them flourish, I'm 100 percent sure it will be a success. Please join me in making this a reality. I cannot accept Being second to Irvine Schools, we have the potential to be #1.