Candidate for
Board Member; Lafayette School District

My name is: Jean Follmer

My age is: 41

My occupation is: Lafayette for Education, Writer, Community Volunteer

Education and Qualifications:

My family moved to Lafayette in 2007 for the excellent schools and I've been actively involved in the education community. My experience includes: Springhill Parent Faculty Club Executive Board Member for three years and President during the 2010/11 school year; Co-founder of Lafayette for Education, a grassroots group that educates parents and seeks sustainable revenue for our schools; two-year elected position on Springhill School Site Council; Lafayette Partners in Education Board Member; Springhill Chair of the Measure B Campaign and education reporter for the Lamorinda Weekly and the Lamorinda Patch.

We must maintain our excellent schools, even in the face of continued budget cuts from Sacramento. Our district has been forced to implement $3,000,000 in recent cuts, including: increased class sizes, loss of teachers and aides, reduction in counseling and janitorial services. These cuts adversely impact our students and must be reversed. I believe our programs can be restored through thoughtful financial planning and spending. We must expand our programs to include full- day kindergarten and foreign language K-8. Our students should be challenged daily through effective use of differentiation and ability grouping. Please help me to support Our Kids Now!