The Future of Eureka City Schools

By Judy Anderson

Now is not the time for a change of direction

Please consider these facts before you mark your ballot. In the midst of these turbulent budget times, the Eureka City School district remains firmly focused on student achievement and the budget is balanced. Academic, co-curricular and athletic excellence remains a proud tradition at ECS schools. Despite necessary school closures, ECS has maintained quality teachers and staff who are held to high performance standards. Many of our schools and facilities have been recently renovated and equipped with modern technology and other resources that are enhancing the learning experience for our students. All of this has been achieved through the hard work of your Eureka City School Board and its stakeholders.

Now is not the time for a change of direction. I, along with the current board, have a clear vision for Eureka City Schools. It is about inspiring students to become responsible and productive citizens and providing them with a foundation of skills to become tomorrow's leaders. This vision promotes a climate of excellence and values parents and community as active participants in the district's schools.

With the California budget crisis continuing to threaten public school funding, the next four years will again be a challenge for the Eureka City School District. This year alone, the Board will select a new Superintendent to lead the district for the next three years. Declining enrollment is leveling off and the district's four elementary schools are at capacity. The state is now mandating that districts develop a new transitional kindergarten. Key decisions about grade level organization will be made this year + decisions that will impact the future of all K-8 school sites. These are just a few of the complex decisions currently facing the Eureka City School district.

I bring knowledge, experience, collaboration skills and a willingness to listen, to every decision I make on your behalf. I have extensive experience with school board processes, educational research and Eureka City Schools institutional knowledge. Just like the students I serve, I do my homework before making any decision. I visit schools, classrooms and cafeterias. I talk with teachers, principals, secretaries, custodians, grounds crew and parents to hear their perspective. I have put on a hard hat and toured construction sites; I have climbed to the gymnasium roof to personally inspect drainage concerns; and walked the bus yard, the central kitchen and the copy center.

A school board member's job is to represent the community and to hold the school district accountable. The future of Eureka City Schools depends on all of us working together to ensure that our children receive a quality education that prepares them to be successful adults. Vote for proven experience to safeguard the future of our children.