Candidate for
Board Member; Mount Diablo Unified School District

Accomplishments

It's not enough to talk about doing something; it's important to get something done... and I have!

While I'm proud of what I have accomplished in my first term, there is more work to be done to ensure that MDUSD becomes the preferred place for students to learn, employees to work, and families to live. That's why I'm running for re-election.

Below are some of my leadership accomplishments that have made a positive difference:

1. Positive Leadership and Vision

• Led the movement to bring in new district leadership with positive vision and guidance.
• Our new superintendent, Dr. Nellie Meyer, has already brought optimism and progress to our district.

• Created the MDUSD Strategic Plan in 2011 which now drives our district goals.
• To see the plan, go to the Mt. Diablo USD web site under the drop-down menu for the School Board.

• Vigorously supported the return of health benefits for teachers and restoration of work hours for clerical/classified staff.
• These restorations have been critical to improving morale and creating a spirit of unity in our district. It has also helped recruit and retain high quality staff which was one of my goals in my first term.
• Voted against unnecessarily cutting employees' hours and health benefits, particularly our Special Education assistants who provide critical support for students with special needs.

• Proposed and ultimately accomplished increasing graduation credits to ensure that our students receive a comprehensive, competitive education.
• When I was first elected to the Board in 2010, graduation requirements were the lowest among school districts in Contra Costa County. This was a disservice to our students, and something I was determined to correct.

• Championed the reinstatement of athletics, elementary music, and counselors for our students.
• MDUSD is once again funding athletics and 5th grade music, as well as adding counselors in our high needs schools.
• One of my goals is to continue efforts to expand music and counselors as well as adding a vice principal in each of our elementary schools.

• Voted against closing neighborhood schools and offered other solutions.
• I took a stand against closing schools and proposed specific alternatives to avoid school closure in any of our neighborhoods. I have great respect for the many parents and community members who came forward to passionately and articulately share their concerns and ideas.
• I continue to advocate for consistent improvement in our service and response to the needs of our families and their children.

• Advocated for open communication with our communities to hear their ideas, input, and needs.
• Our communities value their schools and are eager to be partners and contributors. We need to be proactive in listening to and honoring individual communities' ideas and interests, and I will continue to promote this communication and responsiveness.

• Proposed and accomplished joint School District-City Council meetings to encourage positive working relationships with our cities.
• These meetings are an important statement that our district values our communities and that together we are stronger and more effective.

• Collaborated with Concord Mayor Tim Grayson to bring back School Resource Officers to our Concord high schools. Mayor Grayson, Concord Chief of Police Guy Swanger, and I place a high value on school safety.
• This collaboration was a direct result of the joint School Distict-City Council meetings.
• Our superintendent and other City Council members are currently working to expand this service to all our high schools.