Candidate for
Board Member; Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

I firmly believe that a board member must be a role model for the school district, students and parents. I truly believe that we should begin working with parents and their youth at a very early age. If we wait until the student gets to high school level, to help guide them, then it would be too late. That is why I still work with parents at El Camino Junior High School, although I no longer have children in the district.

A board member must be willing to meet with parents, and the public, on a regular basis, to help guide them through the academic process and help them understand what is going on within the district. That is why I have met with community people from St. Peter's Episcopal Chuch, St. John Neumann's Church, migrant parents from Guadalupe, Orcut and Santa Maria.

Board members should also meet with district employees to find out how best to serve the needs of the entire district.

As board members we have an obligation to perform to the best of our abilities. However, not all members give of themselves, as others do. The number one goal for the board should be academic success in every area. Continued interaction between the board, parents and the community, is the only true road to success.