Candidate for
Member; Alameda County Board of Education; Trustee Area 6

CANDIDATE BIOGRAPHY: 1/14/04

My name is Vibert Greene, I have been a Newark resident for 17 yrs. And I am running for a seat on the Alameda County Board of Education--District 6.

My wife Diane Greene is a Special Education Teacher in Newark. We have been married for 30 years and have 2 daughters--both graduates of Newark's public schools and the University of California (Berkeley and Santa Barbara).

Political Experience:

I served 12 years as an elected member on Lexington Square Homeowners' Association Board of Directors; I was the President for 6 years. I sought the office of Newark's City Council twice, participated in Newark's Citizen Police Academy--class #4 and I am currently a temporary civilian employee of San Francisco Police Department (Volunteer).

Educational Background & Work Experiences:

I am a graduate of the University of Hawaii, San Jose State University and the University of California--Berkeley. I am a Mechanical Engineer and hold advance degrees in Engineering.

I worked in the private sector for many years in various capacities including Design Engineer, Process Engineer, Senior Design Engineer and Test Director; I have worked on the Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope and numerous classified projects for the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense. I taught Mathematics at San Jose Evergreen College. Currently I am working for the California Public Utilities Commission as an engineer.

What are My Plans for the Alameda County Board of Education?

Let me say, first of all, we are in a difficult period; there is a bulging budget deficit with very little money to go around. I will take a very close look at the current level of education that is being offered to all students including low-achievers, Special Education students and those in regional occupational programs to name a few. I will work to make sure these programs not only continue but are strengthened and expanded. I believe this can be done by working with the current Board of Education by way of consensus in exploring and implementing creative and innovative approaches to learning, that challenges our teachers in proactive ways. I believe there are solutions, but we have to understand the problems first.

I believe an engaged and motivated staff--both at the administrative and teaching levels--will work with me to bring to light the problems they face with students, the legislature and the communities they serve, so we +the Board of Education--can secure needed funds from Sacramento to help solve these problems.

I do not want to just address the problems, I want to solve them and I want to solve them NOW. Therefore, I will bring to the Board of Education my experiences in management, my experience and ability to use creative and innovative approaches to problem solving and my ability to work with my colleagues in reaching consensus. I believe one must have these qualities to be an effective and results orientated contributor to the Board of Education, I have those qualities.