Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Westside Union School District

My philosophy is based upon what I have learned, and experienced. Learned in a classroom and forged in reality. I believe that elected official should treat taxpayers and constituents with respect and honesty.

• Anticipatory Government: Hoping for the best but planning for the worst. It needs to be done. Today the Westside Union School District has benefited from this guiding philosophy greatly. Team Westside is very pro-active and not re-active. By planning for the worst governments can avoid disasters. For the last 7 years the District has anticipated the budgetary shortfalls. That is why Westside Union has a budget surplus and is one of the few school districts in the State of California that has no layoffs, no furloughs for staff, and is fiscally sound. While other school districts have closed doors, eliminated school activities, and cut programs, Westside has opened doors, expanded school activities and cut ribbons to new school facilities.
• Continue to Generate innovative ways of funding our budget: Since the passage of Proposition 13, districts throughout the state of California have come up with ways to generate additional funds to support our children s' education. I want to continue the entrepreneurial spirit that has led Westside in these financial difficult times. I will continue to put the time and effort to create innovative programs so our children in the classroom can have the latest technologies in the classroom. Westside has taken the opportunity and has received Federal,State and Private grants that can make a difference. I believe that as a district the Westside has tapped into its resources. I believe that Westside has to continue to be innovative in an ever changing world and Westside has risen to the challenge. I want to ensure that we continue to do so.

• Teachers: Attract and maintain the best qualified educators that we can. We can do this through several ways. 1) Salary increases 2) Increase benefits 3) Offer other incentives. 4) Continue to offer training to our Teachers

I believe that an elected official should make every effort to be as fruggle as possible with the taxpayers money.

I offer my energy and ideas as a continued driving force to propel the Westside School District into the future. Thank you,

John Curiel

"TEAM WESTSIDE!"