Candidate for
Board Member; Northern Humboldt Union High School District

A life-long resident of Humboldt County, husband, and father of three children, I am also the founder and owner of a 23-year old, local business. I coach local youth sports and volunteered at my children's school weekly for over ten years. As a member of the Rotary Club of Arcata Sunrise, I have chaired numerous committees and served as President. I have served on the Board of Directors for several local organizations including the HSU Advancement Foundation and Finance Committee, of which I have been a member for over five years. In this tough economic climate and with reduced state funding, it is more important than ever that the school board is strong and conservative in its financial leadership. My experience working with non-profits and in running my own businesses has prepared me well for such leadership.

I believe that school board member is not a partisan position, but an opportunity to serve the district's students, teachers, and administrators - without political agenda. I hold student achievement in the forefront and believe that to be the ultimate mission of the school board. However, establishing and maintaining an environment where teachers, parents, administrators, and board members can effectively work together is critical in producing this student achievement. I believe in strengthening extracurricular and vocational activities in order to keep students engaged and to address the diverse interests and intelligences of our student body.

Having been appointed to the board in January, I have been fortunate to have become educated on the inner-workings of the district and the intricacies of the role of its governing board. If elected I promise to continue to hold the position with the same level of commitment and careful study that I have thus far, and to work to maintain and improve the tradition of excellence already established in the district.

I am respectfully asking for your vote on November 3rd.