Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Lucia Mar Unified School District; Trustee Area 2

EXPERIENCE:

• Attorney: over 25 years as business and real estate litigator.
• Arbitrator, mediator, Judge Pro Tem
• Served 2009-2010 on School Superintendent's Budget Review Committee.
• 2006 President of Grover Beach Chamber of Commerce.
• Past President of two Bar Associations.
• Past President of Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce.
• Past president of mediation service.
• Realtor since 2004.
• Project Manager for government real estate services.
• Served on the Finance Committee for Keller Williams Realty 2006.

• Active parent in local schools for last 8 years.
• 6 years service on School Site Councils.
• President of Grover Beach Elementary Parent Teacher Organization 2005- 2007.
• President of Mesa Middle School Booster's Club 2009- 2010.
• Team Manager, Destination Imagination.
• Involved parent of two high school students.
• While serving as a member of the Superintendent's Budget Committee, I identified and recommended 51 ideas for cutting expenses as far from the students as possible, increasing revenue and looking at several long range goals for the School District.

I care: I put in the work to analyze the budget in detail. I attend Board meetings and budget study sessions for the District and keep current on the issues facing the District. My interest in the School District is not new; I have worked for the last 8 years in numerous volunteer capacities to assist the District.

I am "forward-thinking and committed to delivering the best possible education for children". (The Tribune, 9-26-10) I ran for School Board in 2010 and was commended by The Tribune newspaper for my commitment to the students' education. I strongly support the TAP program, New Tech High, the IB program at Grover Beach Elementary School and expansion of the ROP program. Not all children learn the same way; I believe in bringing educational opportunities to our District to support all students, not just any one group. We need to focus on getting our students ready for jobs after high school or getting into college. Either way, we need to support our programs that give different opportunities to all students for technical/vocational training as well as college preparation.

I am not beholden to any one group or issue; I will put the kids first in any decision that comes before me. I am a big-picture analyst of situations, do the research and analysis necessary to make good decisions and work well with others. My background is in private business. I "have the courage to bring a range of ideas to the table". (The Tribune, 9-26-10)

I'm qualified: I am a lawyer, trained mediator, served many years as an arbitrator and Judge Pro Tem, and as past president of two chambers of commerce. I have managed rental property for over 20 years and litigated numerous finance oriented cases as an attorney, in addition to starting and owning my own businesses. I have a strong knowledge of finances. The future of the District will continue to be focused on budgetary analysis and decisions. I am qualified to work with the Board to analyze all options and make sound fiscal decisions for our District. I will continue to develop partnerships with the business community to financially support our schools and to understand what is needed for students to undertake jobs in our community.

I am a proven leader and hard worker. I ask for your vote.

Thank you!

Cathy Springford Putting Kids First cspringford@sbcglobal.net