Stanley "Stan" Neal Incumbent Sierra Unified School District

By Stanley B. "Stan" Neal

Brief Biography and Position Paper

For those of you that do not know me, I have lived in this community for about 36 years. I arrived here from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to begin teaching in the Agriculture Department at Sierra High School. Over the next 20 years I developed an exemplary agriculture mechanics, welding and heavy equipment operator program that served as a model statewide. During those years I taught approximately 2000 young people not only useable skills and applied academics but also pride in themselves and ambition for excellence in their education and personal lives.

In 1990 Fresno City College lured me down the hill to continue teaching welding to an older group of students. I have enjoyed the challenge of instructing people of varying ages, ethnic backgrounds, and language abilities. I have also worked diligently to build up the program at Fresno City College to be one of state-recognized excellence. I retired from my teaching career this past December.

My wife Anne, librarian for the Auberry branch of the Fresno County Library, and I have 2 children. They have both received excellent educations in our local school district. Our daughter Elizabeth is proof of this as a graduate of highest honors at Sonoma State University. She is teaching second grade at an international school in Beijing China. Our son John is also an honor student that has just graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. I must say I am very proud of the entire faculty at Sierra Unified for doing such an excellent job of preparing our community's children for higher education and the world of work.

I have placed my name in nomination for the board of trustees for one main reason: To continue to give service to this community. I have no ax to grind and no hidden agenda. I consider myself to be a levelheaded person who can listen to all sides of an issue and analyze a situation to arrive at a balanced solution. I believe that the students in the classroom come first, so their education is my top priority.