Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Hayward Unified School District

I have lived in the Hayward Unified School District since 1962, having grown up in North Dakota where I attended a one-room rural school for the first eight years of my education. A graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN, I began my career in education teaching English in Astoria, OR, before doing graduate work at the University of Washington, Seattle.

After serving as an enlisted man in the US Army, I worked as a Civilian Education Advisor for the US Department of Defense, assigned to Central Command, Japan.

After teaching high school and junior high school in Los Angeles County, Berkeley and San Leandro, I accepted a position in the New Haven Unified School District, Union City, where I worked until my retirement 29 years later. In Union City I served as a counselor at all levels (elementary, junior and senior high schools), a site administrator at James Logan High School and as Director of Pupil Service at the district level. I played a key role in transforming the district from one with a reputation of mediocrity to a district praised for its excellence.

Since my retirement I have continued to be involved with educational issues with emphasis on safety for students and staff. Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin appointed me to the California School Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 (AB 537) Task Force that made implementation recommendations to all California school districts.

Locally I served three years on the Alameda County Paratransit Advisory and Planning Committee (PAPCO) and the Alameda County Human Relations Commission, two years as chair. I also served on the policy making board of the United Way of Alameda County.

Working closely with parents, teachers, employee groups, administrators and the community, I can use my experience to foster integrity, accountability and excellence in Hayward schools.