Candidate for
Board Member, 4 Year; Brea Olinda Unified School District

I believe:

• in the historical excellence of Brea's schools. For years, young families have moved to this District because of its reputation for good education. Today, academic achievement indicators continue to be both high and rising.

• that the District's overarching goal always must be improving academic achievement. In an increasingly complex, competitive world, our students need to know more and be able to perform better---and we never can rest on today's success.

• that all students deserve quality teachers---people who believe in them, who have the skills to help them learn and perform at high levels, and who are knowledgeable and passionate about what they teach. Attracting, supporting and retaining high-quality staff is imperative to our district's success, and must be our first priority.

• that all students deserve a course of study that's challenging, up-to-date and well-balanced, and that this core program must offer varied and high-quality academic, artistic and athletic extracurricular opportunities. Instructional materials and practices must be adopted based on quality research, supported by staff development and regularly evaluated for effectiveness, and heightened academic challenge must always be balanced by increased staff and student support.

• that all students deserve adequate space in schools that are safe, clean, orderly and inviting places to learn, and must have in sufficient quantities the tools important for learning to take place.

• that the support and involvement of parents is essential to student, school and District success.

• that open, honest, frequent, two-way communication is the basis on which positive and lasting relationships are built. All stakeholders (students, parents, staff and more) must consistently receive the information they need to do their jobs well, and frequent opportunities for feedback must be provided. Further, that the ongoing input of all stakeholders is both necessary and desirable in all key areas of district decision making.

• that financial resources must be maximized for the benefit of student learning, and that balanced budgets and reasonable reserves are essential to the long-term stability of our schools.

• that the combined quality contributions of all District staff---not just teachers and principals, but classroom aides, site level and district office personnel, custodians, bus drivers, food service workers and many more serve as the backbone of this District, and that the good work of all must be supported both daily and well.

• that cooperation between and among the district's individual and group stakeholders (administrators, teachers and classified staff, students, parents and the broader community) advances the interests of all. That welcoming in, providing for and encouraging the participation of those of diverse ethnic, religious and language groups is expected, and that we model, teach and support these traits to all in the organization.

• that, in the BOUSD, as elsewhere, legal standards, ethics, respect, fair play and openness toward all are essential organizational characteristics which must be zealously protected.

• that a school board member must work hard, listen well and often, understand the issues, make fair and reasoned decisions, safeguard the District's honor and strive always to advance its goals.