Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Templeton Unified School District

I have been involved with many organizations throughout the North County in the fifteen years that I have lived in this county. I have held many Board positions for Amigos de Los Ninos for over thirteen years. This organization has raised funds for children's programs throughout San Luis Obispo County. I have been very active in the North County Boys and Girls as well. I have been active with the Paso Robles Pioneer Day Committee for the last fifteen years. I started, organized and ran a non-profit organization, The Grapes of Wrath for the last six years, with proceeds also going to women's and children's groups in the North County. My husband Paul and I were recognized as Roblan's of the month for our contributions to our community. Paul and I have owned our own business, Viborg Sand & Gravel, Inc., in Paso Robles for the past fifteen years. My function within our company is dealing with the over twenty seven different government, city and county agencies that govern our operations. It is a tedious and foreboding job, but I believe it teaches a person patience and a respect for organization. This job also requires endless research, documentation and follow-through which I believe will be of great benefit to me should I be elected to the Board. I make decisions every day for my company, my employees and my family based on fact finding and investigation, rather than current politics and/or opinions.

I have lived in Templeton for almost eight years, and my two children attend school here. Ole Kriistian is in second grade and Daniika is in fifth grade. Our experience within the Templeton Schools has been wonderful, and I believe that my children are definitely benefiting from the curriculum and programs in place in our schools. The quality of education in our schools is second to none, and I would like to see those standards continue if possible. I have been on both TES and VES PTA Boards as Secretary, Treasurer, and President for six years. Holding these positions has brought a deeper understanding of our children's and teacher's needs at our schools. I have been witness to the shortfalls of our current budget on children's programs, supplies and services. I have always been proud to be part of our PTA because we have always tried to fund the many programs not possible with our current budget. I would like to see the return or our para educators, which are such a vital part of the education equation. I don't believe that we can keep the current standards in line without them. It seems as of late, that the programs and aides that are being cut, are at the elementary level, which in my opinion, is where education begins, and where it should be given every chance to succeed. Our children are our future, and we should not only protect them, but we should afford them every opportunity at all costs.

I believe that I have the strength and willingness to stand up for change, reason and common sense for decision making, and I have our children at heart. I believe that I embody the "trust "in Trustee, and I hope that you too will consider me a viable and trustworthy candidate for the Templeton School Board.