Stafford Parker - Putting Children First

By Stafford W Parker

I have the time, interest,and burning desire to work with the school board to put children first, before adults.
Success cannot be achieved by the district alone. I am independent, yet committed to working with all entities who have a stake in helping our students succeed. This will require that we make bold changes and maintain high standards for all- no excuses, no exceptions.

As the parent of twins who graduated from Fresno Unified, and now with three grandchildren in the district, my wife, a college teacher, and I have always been deeply passionate about the success of our schools. Children need a safe and enjoyable learning environment in order to fulfill their maximum potential.

The School Board has a vital role to play in making our schools the best they can be. Board members must make smart, tough decisions about the district's future and place the needs of the children first. Parents, teachers, taxpayers and the students themselves deserve no less.

Fresno Unified is at a critical point in its history. Recent reforms have avoided the threat of a state takeover of the District and brought new resources to classrooms where they are needed most.

But it is no secret that student academic achievement is a far cry from what it needs to be. The federal No Child Left Behind Act has been a wake-up call to schools throughout America and made us aware of how poorly our schools are performing. Our students deserve better. Success will require bold changes and maintaining high standards for all - no excuses, no exceptions - to get every child at or above grade level within five years after first attending Fresno Unified.

As a Board member, I will:

Encourage meaningful partnerships: Parents and teachers must be involved at every relevant step of the learning and decision-making process. We must bring all those who are impacted by our decisions, including staff, the Fresno Teachers Association and our employee groups, together as partners, not adversaries.

Promote teamwork: Work to encourage our best teachers to share their successful practices, work and mentor in schools where the academic challenges are the greatest.

Strengthen vocational education: Make sure the District reaches out to parents and businesses to establish bonds that strengthen vocational education.

I have over 30 years of high-level management experience in city government, operations, personnel and budget supervision as a Director in the areas of housing and community development, economic development and redevelopment. I have the following skills:

Budget expertise: Handled multi-million dollar budgets and completed hundreds of complicated construction projects within budget. I will be a knowledgeable trustee who is not afraid to make difficult decisions that maintain fiscal stability.

Consensus builder: I know first hand how to create public-private partnerships and negotiate contracts. My training as a lawyer has prepared me well to be a voice for collaboration on the School Board.

The entire community gains from an academically high-performing and financially healthy school district. After dodging a state takeover for financial problems in 2005, we must now focus on significant academic improvement for all children. Current FUSD plans to create good instructional programs and provide teachers the resources they need to do their jobs is a good start. I will provide the Superintendent with the supportive leadership he needs to finish the job.

I strongly support the vision and academic improvement programs of the Superintendent. I believe Fresno Unified is currently headed in the right direction, but "the jury is still out." While we must give the Superintendent's changes a chance to succeed, I will hold him accountable for measurable, meaningful results.

In partnership with all those who have a vested interest in the success of our schools, I will champion:

For Students:

Support a uniform district-wide curriculum so transferring from one school to another won't set a student back.

Improve technology that allows teachers to accurately measure a student's progress and tailor instruction to each student's specific needs.

For Parents:

Effectively reduce Fresno Unified School District's high student suspension and expulsion rate so children can continue to learn in a way that does not disrupt classroom teaching.

Use technology to create partnerships between teachers and parents. Informing parents about their students' academic progress on homework assignments, attendance and grades allows parents and teachers to work together to help students.

For Teachers:

Hire new staff at schools to work with students struggling with English and math or having difficulty passing the High School Exit Exam.

Hire new staff at schools to reduce the negative impact of disruptive students and students in crisis, so teachers can focus on classroom learning.

Create smaller classes to allow teachers to give students more attention.

For Community Outreach:

Increase vocational education programs and create partnerships with business owners to train students for jobs upon graduation.

I am an independent thinker who puts "children first." Now that I am retired, I am prepared to work tirelessly on behalf of our children + my grandchildren and all the children who attend Fresno Unified.

Proud to be endorsed by many respected leaders:

The Fresno Bee
Fresno Citizens for Good Government
California School Employees Assn
Mexican American Political Association

Congressmen Jim Costa & Cal Dooley*
Assemblymember Juan Arambula

Fresno County Sheriff Hal McKinney*
Fresno County Supervisor Stan Oken*
Fresno City Councilmember Joe Williams*
FUSD Superintendent Chuck McCully*
FUSD School Board members Dick Johanson*, Mary Curry*, Deborah Merzoian*, Nancy Richardson*, Bill Riddlesprigger* & Dottie Rohlfing*
Fresno County School Board Member Violet Heintz*

Business leaders Tim Bakman, Kathy Bray, Doug Davidian, Larry Duncan, James Hallowell, Larry Johanson, Bill Lyles, Mike Patton & Pete Weber
Community leaders James Aldredge, PhD, Earl Brown, James Parks & Pastor Chester Riggins

Names with an asterik held positions previously.