Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Torrance Unified School District

Thank you for taking the time to read about my candidacy. I appreciate the opportunity to express my views and opinions, AND to hear from you about issues that are important to you.

I pledge to do my best for you on the Torrance Unified School District Governing Board.

1. First, I am committed to Torrance as a wonderful community in which to raise healthy capable children having lived here the past 28 years, with no plans to move. I live here, vote here, and love it here in Torrance.

I am firmly invested in working to support and improve Torrance School District. I had 2 of my own children in Torrance public schools for 13 years.

My #1 Goal is to promote excellence in our schools and to provide the best possible teachers, materials, and instruction available.

I have actually made good things happen for our Torrance Schools and I will continue to advocate for the children of Torrance...on the school board...or as an active parent. Kids are why I am here!

2. Second, I have worked and will continue to work to bring good things TO Torrance School District, rather than taking away from what the district has to offer and what the district can afford to provide.

My 15,000 hours of volunteer work translates to at least $200,000 worth of service hours that I have donated TO the district. And with my degree in Occupational Therapy, that would translate to perhaps half a million dollars in professional time. And that is just the volunteer time I have donated. I have sought and received grants, donations, and contributions from community support groups to the district, too!

My 12 years of experience on the School Board during very tough times have given me the knowledge and judgement that can guide me in working with our district. TUSD will be navigating through MANY challenging but exciting changes involving MANY dramatic transitions in education. I have the proven know-how to provide the guidance and decision-making demanded of school board members.

3. Third, I have become a communicator/liaison between the School Board and the community, and an information source about the functions of the School Board. I am an advocate for students, parents, and community members, seeking their opinions about issues, and encouraging the public to provide input and feedback to school board members.

I am working hard to improve and sustain teacher/ parent/school board communication, an important goal of mine.

I take it very seriously that I am serving as a representative of those who elected me. I have and will continue to work to the benefit of my constituents and consumers!

I also feel strongly about serving the recipients of the services TUSD produces and provides ...the students of Torrance. I work with and interact with students whenever I can, often taking the opportunity to participate in school programs with students of all ages.

4. Fourth, I have both a bachelor's and a master's degree in Occupational Therapy, and have been a university instructor. I have expertise about education AND health and mental health issues, as well as disabled and gifted and special education concerns.

Kids are truly why I am here!

I am honored and proud to be a candidate for Re-Election to the TUSD school board one more time.

I hope to have the opportunity to continue to represent you, the residents of Torrance.

Please vote for Terry L. Ragins for School Board on Nov 3.