Candidate for
Board Member; North Sacramento School District

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself to you.

I am running for the Board because I believe our children are the community's greatest treasure. We have an obligation to prepare them for the future. The mission of the District is to educate our children. As a board member, the first question I will ask before making any decision is "How will the issue before us accomplish the mission of educating our children?" In other words, "How is it in their best interest?"

The next question I will ask is whether or not the District's employees have the tools needed to properly carry out these decisions. I will review the staff work to ensure that recommendations are based on facts and data. I have managed projects, programs and budgets. I know what questions to ask and I'm not afraid to ask tough questions.

My wife Vickie and I have six children. Three have graduated from District schools, two currently attend District schools and our youngest will start Kindergarten at Smythe School in the 2008-2009 school year. As parents, we see the direct impact of board decisions on our children. I believe that it is important to have a parent voice on the Board so that Board decisions aren't made in a vacuum.

As many of you know, I am a former Board member and I am proud of what the District accomplished while I was on the Board. During my eight years of service, test scores improved, schools were remodeled, aging heating and air conditioning systems were replaced, a phonics-based reading curriculum was adopted and new technology was implemented. I was also proud to serve all of the north area schools during two of those years as a member of the Delegate Assembly of the California School Boards Association (CSBA). Over the last fifteen years, I have been active in other capacities in the District as well. I have served as a PTA and School Site Council leader. I am the former Parliamentarian and the Chairman of the District Advisory Committee. I was a member of the District's first Strategic Planning Team and I worked on the District Information Technology Advisory Committee--contributing to the first District Technology Plan. The work of this technology committee helped to secure reading and technology grants for the District.

For the last 20 years I have taught computer and business classes as an adjunct faculty member at two local colleges. In addition, I worked as a peer mentor for new faculty and served twice as a member of a WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation self-study team.

My priorities as a Boardmember will be to work for safer schools. In light of recent events across the nation, the protection of our students and staff should be our highest priority.

I will work to improve scores in English and Math. Recent scores showing improvement in District scores only tell part of the story. There is still much work to be done. I will work to give teachers the tools and resources they need to reach the District's underachieving students.

I will work for improved use of technology to achieve administrative efficiencies and save resources.

I am an ardent supporter of music and the arts. I will support our District instrumental music program.

I support fair salaries and benefits for our District employees.

And finally, I will give my best efforts to increasing parent involvement. Last May, the District hosted a family involvement workshop for parents from each school site. I attended and I was surprised that no Boardmembers were present. As a Boardmember, I will ensure that these events are scheduled so that all stakeholders can be present.

The combination of my leadership and strong interpersonal skills, my work and educational experience and my desire to improve the District make me a strong choice for the Board. The role of the Board is not only to guide the administration of the District, but also to present a vision for staff and the community to follow. My vision for the North Sacramento School District is that we, in partnership with parents and the community, reach every child educationally and prepare them for the future!

I encourage you to contact me and share your ideas and ask me any questions that I would have answered had I been here tonight. Please call me at home at 922-4984 or e-mail me at ForNorthSacKids@aol.com.

Thank you for your vote on November 7th!