Candidate for
Trustee; Twin Rivers Unified School District; Trustee Area 6

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself to you.

I am running for the Board because I believe our children are the community's greatest treasure. We have an obligation to prepare them for the future. The mission of the District is to educate our children. As a board member, the first question I will ask before making any decision is "How will the issue before us accomplish the mission of educating our children?" In other words, "How is it in their best interest?"

The next question I will ask is whether or not the District's employees have the tools needed to properly carry out these decisions. I will review the staff work to ensure that recommendations are based on facts and data. I have managed projects, programs and budgets. I know what questions to ask and I'm not afraid to ask tough questions.

My wife Vickie and I have six children. Three have graduated from area schools and three currently attend area schools. As parents, we see the direct impact of board decisions on our children. I believe that it is important to have a parent voice on the Board so that Board decisions aren't made in a vacuum.

As many of you know, I am a Board member of the Twin Rivers Unified School District and I am proud of what the District has accomplished while I have been on the Board. During this time, test scores have improved, graduation rates are up, more students are receiving college credit for advanced work done before graduation, and we have created new educational options for our students. I am also proud to serve all of the north area schools for several years as a member of the Delegate Assembly of the California School Boards Association (CSBA). Over the last twenty-five years, I have been active in other capacities as well. I have served as a PTA and School Site Council leader. I was a member of the North Sacramento School District's (NSSD) first Strategic Planning Team and I worked on the NSSD District Information Technology Advisory Committee--contributing to the first District Technology Plan. I am the former Parliamentarian and the Chairman of the NSSD District Advisory Committee. The work of this technology committee helped to secure reading and technology grants for the District.

For the last 20 years I have taught math, computer and business classes as an adjunct faculty member at two local colleges. In addition, I worked as a peer mentor for new faculty and served three times as a member of a WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation self-study team.

My priorities as a Boardmember will be to engage the community in the search for a new superintendent.

There is still much work to be done.

I will work to improve scores in English and Math.

I am an ardent supporter of music and the arts. I will support our District instrumental music program.

I will work for improved use of technology to achieve administrative efficiencies and save resources.

I will work to give teachers the tools and resources they need to reach the District's underachieving students and engage our high achieving students.

I support fair salaries and benefits for our District employees.

And finally, I will give my best efforts to increasing parent involvement.

The combination of my leadership and strong interpersonal skills, my work and educational experience and my desire to improve the education make me a strong choice for the Board. The role of the Board is not only to guide the administration of the District, but also to present a vision for staff and the community to follow. My vision for our District is that we, in partnership with parents and the community, reach every child educationally and prepare them for the future!

I encourage you to contact me and share your ideas. Please e-mail me at Roger@TRUSD2012.com.

Thank you for your vote on June 5th!