Candidate for
Trustee; Fresno Unified School District; Trustee Area 1

While Fresno Unified has come through difficult times, we must intensify efforts to move beyond the threat of fiscal bankruptcy and strive for educational excellence. The economic viability of this community is directly tied to the success of FUSD.

As board President these past two years, I led the effort to bring in a new Superintendent and give him the authority to make major personnel changes, and focus fiscal and staff resources to help classroom teachers excel and students learn, while bringing greater financial stability to the district.

My top priorities are to strengthen the focus on improving educational outcomes for all children, narrow the achievement gap for poor children, decrease the number of children suspended and expelled, and improve dropout prevention programs.

Only by demanding the best from our staff and our children can we hope to graduate students with the skills to compete for good-paying jobs, and reduce poverty and unemployment.

As an advocate for children and families for the past thirty years, I have dedicated a great deal of energy to improving the lives of, and the opportunities available to children in this community. I've worked to insure equity - equal resources and equal opportunities. I will not allow the District to accept poverty, transiency, and special needs to serve as an excuse for poor student performance.

Superintendent Pete Mehas states, "In a time of fiscal crisis and chaos, Luisa Medina provided strong, stable leadership to the School Board."

Congressman Jim Costa states, "Students will benefit for years to come from reforms that Medina is helping to bring to our schools."

I hope to continue working with you to make Fresno Unified a model of excellence.

Fresno Unfiied continues to face many challenges:

• While Fresno Unified has come through difficult times, we are not out of the woods fiscally. We must strive for educational excellence so FUSD students are well prepared to enter the workforce or succeed in college. I commit to maintain our focus on students needs, while remaining vigilant in regards to our fiscal situation.

• The technology needs of the district are great. Informed decision making based upon data is essential in a district this size. Our systems need to be able to communicate with one another, and teachers and staff need timely access to student achievement data.

• Attracting and retaining qualified staff. I favor providing incentives to site personnel to accept work assignments in areas of highest need + to compensate staff for the additional responsibilities, time, and effort required to serve in challenging school settings. If FUSD is unable to negotiate an annual bonus, I would consider making funds available to any eligible employee to enhance classroom or school resources.

• FUSD must decrease the number of children suspended and expelled, and improve dropout prevention programs.

• Declining enrollment district with high poverty (84% free and reduced lunch)

I will focus my budget decisions on:

• Investing in quality educational programs to accelerate student learning, including providing a broadly based educational program that enables all students to maximize their potential, social/emotional support for students, and school safety,

• Investing in our staff by providing a competitive total compensation package and

• Setting aside sufficient reserves so that FUSD can weather the next fiscal downturn.