Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Rowland Unified School District

STATEMENT OF CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER ROWLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Gilbert G. García AGE: 57 Education and Qualifications: B.A., UCLA; M.Ed., UCLA; Ph.D. in Education, UCLA; CA Secondary Single Subject Professional Clear Teaching Credential and Preliminary Administrative Credential; President, Governing Board of Trustees, Rowland Unified School District; Clerk, Governing Board of Trustees, La Puente Valley Regional Occupational Center; Director 1, Los Angeles County School Trustees Association; Immediate Past President, California Reading Association; Program Author, English and Spanish versions of Houghton Mifflin Reading; Editor of a professional book published by the International Reading Association titled, English Learners: Reaching the Highest Level of English Literacy; Former teacher at Cathedral High School.

My wife, Marie, and my three girls, Monique, Susie, and Andrea, and I have resided in Rowland Heights since 1976. All three of my daughters have graduated from Rowland High School. I was a textbook sales representative for 31 years with the same publisher, Houghton Mifflin Company, after teaching three years at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles. I am also a textbook program author of the English and Spanish versions of Houghton Mifflin Reading. I edited a professional book on English learners published by the International Reading Association titled, English Learners: Reaching the Highest Level of English Literacy.

I am keenly aware of essential business issues like budgets, goals, and accountability due to my vast sales experience. My experience with educators, and with education in general spans my entire career. I have a personal commitment to lifelong learning, and although retired from my career in publishing, I continue to participate in my wife's business as CEO of Lifelong Learning, Inc., in addition to serving as an educational consultant for the company.

I have always volunteered my time, thus my involvement with the California Reading Association where I served on the board for seven years, and I am completing that service as Immediate Past President. I have served the International Reading Association by participating on several committees, such as the Nominating Committee (2004), the Multilingual Classroom Committee (four years, and two as Chair) and the Urban Diversity Committee (2 years). I have served on committees established by Rowland's former Superintendent, such as the budget committee and the committee that facilitated the establishment of Rowland's core values and mission statement. I have just recently assumed the position of Director 1 for the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association serving my first year on that board.

I have served one full term on the Rowland Unified School District Governing Board of Trustees. I am now serving my third year on the Governing Board of Trustees of the La Puente Valley Regional Occupational Program as Clerk of the Board. I can certainly look back at these four years with tremendous pride in our collective successes. Rowland Unified School District is clearly on the right track! Student achievement continues to rise, many schools have distinguished themselves locally and nationally, your school bond dollars have accomplished the modernization of our schools that was promised, our schools remain safe, new safety measures have been added, we have fairly negotiated with our employees, and in spite of the challenges that shrinking state budgets have created, Rowland remains financially solvent. I have participated in some very difficult decisions on your behalf that included painful budget reductions, the appointment of a Board member, and the recent selection of a new superintendent. I have fully participated in my school Board role understanding that I am accountable to you.

Since my retirement from school publishing, I have devoted even more time to my duties as a school trustee, especially in the area of teacher training. My educational and business background, my textbook program authorship and educational consulting experience have served me well in this important community role. I ask for your continued vote of confidence in this election. I am deeply committed to the academic achievement of all students. I am well qualified to continue serving on this board. I have a sincere desire to continue serving you and your children.