Position Paper

By Gwen Farrell

A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove, but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.

My past 28 years of service on the Westside Union School District Board of Trustees has prepared me with the expertise to meet the challenges that public schools will face given the current state budget crisis. My focus as a board member has been to help provide the ultimate learning environment for children. I have wanted to make a contribution by making a difference in the lives of children as they will be the leaders of tomorrow. I believe that if we don't make a difference in their lives then no one else will.

During my tenure on the Westside Union School District Board of Trustees the district has accomplished many difficult tasks. Among a few are:

• The building of six new schools
• Construction of a Maintenance and Warehouse facility
• Reconstruction of several older schools
• Installation of computer and high-tech labs
• Implementation of a home schooling program
• On going development of a district wide comprehensive educational program
• Implementation of a teacher support system
• Provided libraries in all schools
• Built a gymnasium at Del Sur School and Joe Walker Middle Schools
• Kept the district financially sound and free of debt

My immediate goal is to complete the construction of Gregg Anderson and Anaverde Elementary Schools. In future years Westside will be faced with providing additional schools because of increased enrollment and with that will come the challenge of providing stable funding for not only the building program but to develop and fund educational programs. With the current state budget crisis districts throughout the state, including Westside, were forced to cut valuable programs and personnel. It is my goal that within the next few years, as money becomes available, that we expand our curriculum department, re-implement teacher positions and other staff hours that have been cut and to provide the necessary facilities that the district will need. It is my goal to provide both the certificated and classified personnel with the best possible salary and benefit package. And most of all is to continue to provide the children of Westside with the best possible instructional program.

It has always been my nature to work in a cooperative and collaborative mode to provide a partnership between the board, administration,personnel, parents and the community of the Westside Union School District. I have spent a large portion of my time as a board member lobbying through the California School Boards Association Delegate Assembly, the Antelope Valley School Boards Association, the Los Angeles County Trustees Association and our State Legislators to provide the best possible funding for facilities, programs, salaries and benefits for the students and staff of Westside.