Who is Karen Thomas Hilburn?

By Karen Thomas (Thomas) Hilburn

To give the readers a real picture of Karen Thomas Hilburn and why she is running for School Board.

Who is Karin Thomas Hilburn?

Karen is a native of Long Beach, graduate of Poly High School, Long Beach City College, Cal State Long Beach (Long Beach State). She holds a Masters in Curriculum, a life time teaching credential and clear teaching credential, and an Administration Credential. She is also a graduate of the Superintendents Academy.

Karen T. Hilburn spent her career working for the LBUSD for 39 years; 17 years as a classroom teacher (Franklin, DeMille and 15 years at Lakewood High School); 22 years as Principal of Poly, Reid and Wilson and completed her career as Director of Student Placement Services.

Her duties included supervising Psychologists, Nurses; Administrator/Counselor Training; Student Discipline, and School Safety.

During her tenure, she designed the Poly PAAL, the District's first Community Day School, Renaissance Career Academy; K-9 search program; school policing; crisis and critical incident response program; suspension; truancy; and the daytime loitering prevention center, as well as tripling the number of school psychologists.

She recently retired from LBUSD with her expertise is student discipline, school law; at-risk student behavior; and campus safety. She has first hand knowledge of the needs of our children.

Why is Karen Thomas Hilburn running for School Board?

"Our community can't afford to lose one more youngster; they are our future." With all the good the District does, some children are being discarded and sent out into the world without the necessary tools to survive. Basically our District is giving up on some of our children."

"During my tenure I was in charge of Alternative Education, something that no longer exists in Long Beach Unified School District. Despite District accomplishments; Students are still being left behind, bullied, and have unmet needs. High dropout, truancy and daytime loitering rates must be reduced; and a career academy must be re-established. Teachers still need more support in the classroom; Campus Safety is still a concern at all levels and open and positive communication on the Board must be restored."

How can you reach Karen to discuss your concerns or to join her campaign?

Karen T. Hilburn can be reached at kat90814@verizon.net or (562) 714-3238. She looks forward to hearing your concerns and discussing the problems and future of our children. For constant updated information check out http://www.lbreport.com