Candidate for
Board Member; Cypress School District

I worked in Corporate Finance from 1980 to 2002, in areas of manufacturing, distribution and contract service industries. The challenges of parenting a child with Autism and the events of 9/11 shifted my family's priorities.

While I had spent seven years advocating for people with exceptional needs; it was not until the beginning of 2002 when I left my position with a local government contractor to pursue volunteer service opportunities. This led me to enter the race as a Trustee of the Cypress School District, having endured the Board's Policies and "Best" Practices. My goal then was to strengthen the team's efforts, by unifying the Board, the Administration, the Teachers and the other School Employees. In the two terms I have served this goal continues to be met and our students continue to benefit. Since individual board members can not act alone, collaboration is the key.

To help us get there I participated in the CSBA Masters in Governance Program which covered areas of Effective Governance, Setting Direction, Student Learning & Achievement, School Finance, Human Resources, Policy & Judicial Review, Collective Bargaining, Community Relations & Advocacy and Governance Integration. Additionally I am adept at reviewing lengthy legal documents, have education in architectural, design and construction areas. These are the skills I use to assist the team in making decisions that affect the students and our community.