Candidate for
Board Member; Brea Olinda Unified School District

Dear Brea Voter,

There's nothing more precious to parents than their children, and nothing more important to communities than their schools.

For four terms, I've listened hard, spoken up and stood strong for the schools of Brea. Now I'd like nothing better than to do it all over again.

Education always has been deeply important to me. I loved school, became a teacher, and moved to Brea (with my husband and young family) because our children's education mattered to us so much. We've never regretted that choice.

For the past 25 years, it's been my great pleasure to work side by side with staff, parents and students to help make the good schools of Brea even better. The years since I first took office have been times of great change for Brea education, as aging campuses have been revitalized, curricular standards have come of age and high-stakes testing has taken the spotlight. We've wrestled with tight financial times, struggled with fair and competitive compensation, strengthened instructional strategies, enhanced academic, artistic, athletic and extracurricular offerings, and enjoyed more than our share of school, staff and student successes.

Yet good organizations don't rely just on what was done well in the past. Quality leadership seeks out opportunities to grow ever better, and so it should be with Brea's schools. Keeping current, forging connections, encouraging innovation and expecting excellence are vital to being all that we can. We need to know where to go, plot a smart course to get there and create a culture that inspires all willingly to do their best work.

During my four terms on the BOUSD board, I've stood strong for integrity and worked hard to listen well, act wisely and treat all with fairness and respect. I've appreciated and enjoyed serving staff, students, parents and the wider community, and---with your continued support---would welcome the opportunity to continue this important work.

To the task of school board member, I've brought what skills and talents I have. From it, I've gained much more than I've ever given. Here's who I am and what I bring to the job of board member today:

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

• University student teacher trainer, high school and middle school English and social studies teacher, writing consultant, reading lab director, public information officer, reporter/photographer

• Author, Brea: Celebrating 75 Years and History of the Brea Olinda Unified School District 1903-2003; co-author of the District's first successful California Distinguished School Application (1989) and National Blue Ribbon School Application (1990), both for Fanning Elementary School.

• Governing Board Member, BOUSD, 1994-present

• PTA/PTO leader: Fanning board (president, 1988-90), Fanning PTO Service Award 1990; BJH PTA board, BJH PTA Very Special Person Award 2004; BOHS PTSA board; Brea PTA Council board; BreLAC (district legislative action committee), DAIC(district advisory committee), District PTA/PTSA Presidents' Council(chair).

• Classroom volunteer teacher: character education, art docent program, writing, local history; Organizer of the Laurel Elementary Reading Club, 2009-10 (continuing this school year).

• Brea 8K Classic Race Director, 2008-10 (continuing in 2011); race board member, 2006 and 2007

• City of Brea appointee and volunteer: Cultural Arts Commissioner, 1990-94; Participant, Committee/Advisory Board Member: Sphere of Influence, Community Diversity, Mayor's Advisory, Mayor's Youth Advisory, Youth and Family Resource Advisory, Cultural Arts Master Plan, Parks, Recreation, Community Services and Open Space Master Plan, 2002 General Plan

• Community History supporter: Brea Historical Society board member; Brea Museum and Olinda Museum committee member

• Booster Club leader: BOHS Academic Booster Club board, Speech and Debate Booster Club board (co-founder), Band Booster alumni supporter, Grad Nite board 2004

• Scout leader: Leader and co-leader of three local Girl Scout troops; committee member and badge adviser, Boy Scout Troop 881, St. Angela Merici

• Missions Coordinator and BUMPS (preschool) Board Member, Brea United Methodist Church

• Married 35 years to a fine and wonderful man, Gary Hampson, Deputy General Counsel, Beckman Coulter

• Exceptionally proud mother of three BOUSD K-12 honors graduates: Beth (Class of 1998, BA UC Davis,teaching credential San Francisco State, MA in post-secondary administration from Azusa Pacific, now Coordinator of Engaged Teaching and Learning, St. Mary's College of California in Moraga;) Amy (Class of 2000, double BA UCSB, MA CSUF, now Events Manager at the Make-a-Wish Foundation's Greater Bay Area Chapter); and Brandon (Class of 2004, who died of brain cancer June 26, 2005). The story of Brandon's journey can be found at http://www.brandonhampson.com

Quality public schools have a profound impact on the lives of children and communities, and form the foundation for a strong and stable democracy. Historically, the BOUSD has boasted outstanding schools, but cannot now---or ever---rest in this quest for success.

Great education happens when knowledgeable, passionate teachers are joined by parents as educational partners and supported by leadership that sets high standards and offers consistent support. The provision of appropriate facilities, quality curriculum and well-balanced, competitively paid staff must be capably balanced by fiscal stability and academic accountability.

Good school board members are clear and independent thinkers who listen well, ask reasoned questions, exercise fairness and strive to do "what's right for kids." Electing people who understand the board's role in accountability, who see the need to solve problems as they occur, and have the strength to stand up for what's right can make all the difference between a district that struggles...and one that soars.

For the past 16 years, I've done my best as a BOUSD Board Member to make the schools of Brea better, and have brought to this task a unique perspective. As the mother of three, a long-time classroom volunteer, PTA site and district leader, site council and booster club member, as well as a secondary teacher and teacher trainer, I've experienced education inside and out. By researching and writing the Brea Historical Society's city history, Brea: Celebrating 75 Years and the school district's History of the Brea Olinda Unified School District 1903-2003, I've learned from this community's past, and by serving as a Cultural Arts Commissioner and on a variety of city committees, Ive had a hand in connecting people and helping to influence its future.

(This CANDIDATE STATEMENT does NOT appear in the 2010 Registrar of Voters voting guide, as the cost for a Voter Guide statement is several hundred dollars, and the final amount is not determined until AFTER the election. In the 2002 BOUSD board election, the final cost for a candidate statement was nearly $1150. In this campaign, money seemed better spent on other means of voter outreach.)

A few comments on other campaign issues:

SLATE MAILER ENDORSEMENTS also are purchased by local candidates. The ONLY "selection" process that occurs at the local level is which candidates are willing to PAY FOR THEIR NAMES TO APPEAR. I believe that slate mailers are intentionally used to deceive the public, and have determined that I will not participate in them.)

CAMPAIGN SIGNS, ESPECIALLY HUGE SIGNS, visually pollute our community, and directly contradict the intent of Brea's sign ordinance - which, for a time at least, kept much of the blight out of sight. Signs no longer can be posted on public property (light poles and the like) but may be posted only on private property. Private property postings should be done only by permission, but a quick look around town shows that this isn't the case. Every empty storefront and construction fence boasts several.

This campaign also has seen far more complaints and squabbles over sign blight and stolen signs, and many property owners say their permission for posting has never been sought - except by a couple of candidates.

I don't believe that bigger signs signify better candidates, and I don't think it's professional or appropriate (especially for incumbent board members) to post signs without permission. Most of my signs are posted in the yards of supporters, so ask them why next time you pass by!