I am the innovative candidate; not another lackluster candidate

By Alan Archer Whipple

I'm younger and more aware of students' behavior and desire to gain an education that helps them prepare for real life...not just a test. I am not another lackluster candidate wanting to focus ONLY on the basics. I want to focus on other ideas and subjects that give substance to the lives of Lincoln Unified students and staff.

I implore you to consider whether other candidates in the Lincoln Unified School Board race have the capability of serving students in a way that addresses the needs and trends of modern education and the modern social environment each student experiences every day at their school. I, Alan Whipple, am the only person running who was a student at Lincoln schools in the 21st century so I can understand what it is like to feel neglected by those who are in charge of my future and education. I am also the owner of Parkwoods Yogurt Shoppe so I see students, staff and teachers on a daily basis.

Van-Ha To-Cowell, George Conklin and Kathleen Solari all want to see the basic needs of the Lincoln Unified School District met:

• Fiscal accountability
• Safe schools
• Better test scores
• Improved communication between the Board, parents, staff and students

If the Lincoln School Board is to remain a place where a candidate treats the governing body as a more influential PTA, where a candidate adds an elected position on the Lincoln School Board to their list of groups they have joined and where a candidate uses the Board and students as a springboard onto the City Council; then those three candidates I mentioned above are who you should choose to pay attention to as they seem to exhibit the qualities of Board Members who have abandoned students and staff for nearly a decade.

And unfortunately, so many of us have voted for the lackluster candidate in years past...leaving test scores the only subject focused on because Board Members have obviously lacked the ability to think creatively and on an innovative level that benefits the real constituents: Lincoln students!

If elected, I will implement a mental health program that offers free and low-cost sessions with therapists and psychiatrists to help diagnose, treat and address mental health issues in students. Parents and guardians will no longer have to be confused about the effects anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and other conditions have on their student's life. The potential for decreased drug abuse, through treating mental health disorders, is real and is a better investment in students than drug testing a small percentage of the student population.

I will try my best to allow students, for the first time in years, become interested in their education and future.

I would continue to give examples in this message, but I would be honored if you take the time and visit my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/whippleLUSD to see what else I want to do and also learn more about me.

Remember, you vote for TWO candidates in this race. Vote for me and vote for someone else...it's that simple. There is no reason to vote for two of the same...otherwise Lincoln Unified's School Board will continue to be occupied by those who are seemingly oblivious as to what it's like to be a STUDENT of any age in the 21st century.

Thanks for reading. I hope to serve students, the community and YOU on the Lincoln Unified School District Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

Alan Whipple