Candidate for
Trustee; Black Oak Mine Unified School District; Area 1

Our love for beautiful countryside and good neighbors brought us to the "Divide seven years ago. My husband Lewis and I have three sons, grades first, fifth and eighth in the Black Oak Mine Unified School District. I received my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, then completed my Master's Degree in Counselor Education with a Pupil Personnel Service Credential from California State University, Sacramento. I just began my 14th year with Elk Grove Unified School District as a High School Guidance Counselor. Another area of expertise I have developed is that of a visiting committee member of W.A.S.C. (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) where our chief duty is to visit and evaluate the overall educational programs of high schools in Northern and Central California.

My love for education does not stop with my job. Since I have lived in the area I have served in an elected positions on the Gifted and Talented Education Advisory Committee; both Creekside and Georgetown School Site Councils; been a three year member of the Budget Advisory Committee, and participated in the Strategic Advisory Committee as well as it's planning group. Given my background, I feel secure in my knowledge of new directions in education and the exciting possibilities awaiting our young people today.

There are several pressing issues currently facing our District. The most critical seems to be that of maintaining and even increasing our enrollment. This year is the first in many, that we have witnessed an increase in the number of students enrolled in our schools. I believe we can advertise more effectively, what areas our District excells in and where concentrated efforts for improvement are being focused.

The next most pressing issue is directly related to the first. It is my belief that we do not pay our employees comparable to other districts and need to look carefully at how to raise the rate of pay for the very talented employees of the Black Oak Mine Unified School District.

The last issue to be considered is the updating and construction of existing educational facilities. Historically the bidding process has been slow which has cost the district not only monetarily, but in the quality of services delivered. A goal would be to look forward and proactively process bids, instead of waiting until the state of disrepair we find some of the vital systems and buildings our children and educators are exposed to on a daily basis.

In securing a position on the Board of Trustees, i will continue my commitment to my children's education, to the fine educators that lead them, and to the students and families of the Black Oak Mine Unified School District