Candidate for
Board Member; Monterey Peninsula Unified School District; Trustee Area 2

I am a resident of Seaside, 93955, and work hard to represent my community. As co-chair of the 2002 Budget Committee, together with you the community, we guided the school district to a balanced budget. We ended the 2003 school-year with a reserve allowing for the complete repayment of the 10 Million Dollar state loan!

As a community, we must not be complacent. The "savings" eliminated music and librarians from our elementary schools. Jobs for long-time dedicated employees were eliminated. Imagine middle schools without a library or music program. It is difficult to believe that learning can take place in high-school classes with 40 or more students. We need smaller class sizes!

We want to allow our students to discover an education where self-esteem communicates a passion for learning. I was fortunate to grow up in California when competitive speech, drama, sports and marching-band were guaranteed. My goal is to work with the district to bring back these classes, one teacher at a time. My wish is to be able to promise a clean and safe environment to learn in. It is our task to support the dedicated staff in our schools.

In 2001, the Monterey County Herald endorsed my candidacy. Professionally, on Fort Ord, I am employed by Northrop Grumman, Mission Systems, which provides enterprise IT business services world-wide. Bilingually, I successfully administered my own software business for 10 years in Germany. As an instructor, I have taught for the University of Maryland in Europe. My background will provide a valuable resource to the district for interpreting state and national regulations, expanding our network communication technology and for the awarding of business to our community.

Personally, I have a grand stake in the success of the district. My children are ESL students who attend schools in MPUSD. I represent the parents, teachers and support staff by volunteering as a mentor at Del Rey Woods and Marshall elementary schools, as an executive board member for the Education Foundation for MPUSD, 20th District PTA, Friends of MAOS (Monterey Academy of Oceanographic Science) and as a member of the superintendent's Business Advisory Committee.

I wish to work with you to ensure the best education for your children. Our community offers a wonderfully wide cultural environment and I hope that you will give me your vote so that we can continue our successes together.