Candidate for
Governing Board Member; San Luis Coastal Unified School District; Trustee Area 1

My philosophy is simple and can be put into a few words. "Better communication" and "Better planning for the future". But, here are some longer descriptions of the specifics!

One, it is important that more parents and community members, such as future employers of our children, be involved with our district and the education system. Parents and employers are busy and overloaded already, so the district and the Board needs to make it as easy as possible to exchange information and opinions with the people. This means easy webpage, email, TV, newspaper and phone access. It also means summarizing or publishing the important information and crucial decisions in ways that people can easily understand without wading through piles of paper brought home from school. I like the SLO Chamber of Commerce's involvement with the schools that is currently happening now.

Two, at the Board budgeting level, it will be vital to make sure that as the District transitions to a "revenue-limited" type of budget, brought on by loss of Diablo Canyon tax revenues, the Board stay focused on what is important--teachers and children, classrooms and books (or computer skills!). Our vision must be to remember what we're in the business of--ensuring excellent education at the school sites--and not to become bogged down in wasteful, inefficient administrative issues.

Three, it is vital that our children and future working force receive the variety of education they will need to face the world. This not only means insisting on high academic standards, but improving technology education, offering more vocational training options, allowing better access to the arts and to intramural sports for better physical health. Especially in the middle school and high school years, better efforts must be made to supply children with opportunities that interest and motivate them to succeed. I am happy to see the smaller classrooms and many programs such as Reading Recovery improve education for younger elementary age children.

Last, I am increasingly concerned about the physical health of our children, not only from reports of declining physical health statistics, but also from local reports of increasing alcohol abuse and other issues. The District must partner with parents to improve communication and awareness of these issues. I will encourage more effort be put into offering opportunities for intramural sports and physical activities but also to prevention of serious health threats such as alcohol use in middle and high schoolers.