Reasons to Vote for Victor Tognazzini

By Victor Tognazzini

I will bring leadership and communication skills and business and common sense perspectives to the Board. I invite you to view the expanded version of why I believe I should be given the opportunity to serve our community on the Board of Governors.

I recognize that as a community we share a commitment to education and realize that it is the foundation for a lifetime of learning experiences. I understand the need for quality teachers, a quality curriculum and facilities that provide an atmosphere that is conducive to student learning.

The District Board is tasked with great responsibilities in school funding, personnel matters, labor relations, property acquisition, construction issues and more.

With those responsibilities come accountability and an obligation for the Board to communicate with the community that it serves. I believe that many opportunities have been missed to effectively communicate with the stakeholders in our educational system, which includes parents and teachers. Teachers are a tremendous resource for curriculum and facilities planning and the "Shared Decision Model" - that exists in name only - must be put into practice. Parental involvement is essential in a student's educational journey and I intend to explore every effort to involve parents in the leaning process.

I pledge to establish lines of communication with students, faculty, parents, administration, District employees and the community. Sir Winston Churchill wrote, "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." A vital part of communication is listening to the needs of those served by the District. All of our input and involvement is critical to the accomplishment of the District's mission! There is also a responsibility to keep the community informed. I will ensure that every effort is made to foster that communication.

A basic education should provide students with the essentials to become productive members of society and to encourage a curiosity to continue the learning process. Not every student has the desire or motivation to attend college. We have an obligation to provide viable vocational alternatives to keep those students in school to develop their basic educational and citizenship skills.

A safe and productive learning environment requires good discipline. I am a strong advocate for measures that ensure that discipline is maintained in our schools.

I have served in the "Principal for a Day" program, as a guest speaker in classrooms, helped with school garden projects and worked with the Righetti High School FFA for which I was recognized as the 2003-2004 Honorary Chapter Farmer. I have been an advocate for education in my weekly "On The Farm" column in two daily newspapers and am a founding member and Vice President of the Orcutt Children's Arts Foundation.

The most critical issue facing our district is overcrowding. We will need two more comprehensive high schools in the next five years.

My signature is on the "arguments for" the bond issue on the November ballot because its passage is crucial to relieve the overcrowding of our high schools and to provide requisite funding for ongoing and planned maintenance projects in the district. The institution of a financial oversight committee is commendable, but it does not relieve the fiduciary and stewardship responsibilities of the elected Board. Furthermore, it is imperative that the Board establishes a "Value Engineering Committee" to provide sound fiscal management for new and ongoing construction projects within the District.

I am committed to serving the community as a member of the Board of Governors and I respectfully ask for your vote and your continued support of our community's educational system and its most valued product - our students.