Candidate for
Board Member; San Marcos Unified School District

I am a local business owner who moved my family and successful technology business to San Marcos in 2002. My strong commitment to education and families inspired me in 2004 to run for the San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board. As a Board member for the past four years, I have successfully represented and served the families, students, and tax payers of this community. My goal has always been to bring a fresh perspective to the Board with a focus on fiscal responsibility and quality education for our district's children. I draw upon my conservative fiscal experience to ensure that taxpayers' dollars are allocated effectively.

Academic Achievement - I believe there are two main responsibilities to this position; a strong focus on fiscal accountability and a commitment to increased academic achievement and performance of students district-wide. We must continue to push for high standards in every classroom throughout the district to ensure that SMUSD continues to be the top public school destination in North County. With that said, I believe that a strong focus on doing the right things is the key to continued improvement.

Budget and Fiscal Health - For the 1st time in 24 years, the San Marcos Unified District employee groups are working without a contract. This gives the district an opportunity to work with both bargaining units (union leaders) to develop a new formula which "honors" the work that the district's employees do each day and also allows the district to put much needed dollars back into the classroom and maintain a fiscally sound budget. The current 4th place employee salary formula may have worked 24 years ago but today it forces the district to spend more taxpayer money each year than the district takes in (deficit spend). In order to make up for the shortfall, the district is now exhausting its reserves, which prohibits the district from allocating new dollars directly to the classrooms.

Facilities and Equitable Learning Environments - ALL STUDENTS attending SMUSD have the right to be housed in clean, attractive, and safe facilities, which research has shown has a direct correlation to increased student achievement. As this new school year begins, we will complete a district-wide modernization plan. Within this district we have several brand new schools with state-of-the-art facilities and several schools that are 40- 50 years old and in desperate need of modernization. Many of the newer schools are better equipped to foster modern learning with contemporary teaching tools and resources (computer labs, smart boards, digital technology, etc). As a district, we have an obligation to provide an equal learning environment for all students.