Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Fremont Unified School District

Greetings Folks,

I am Ray Bilodeau also known by many as "PtaRay"

I have lived in Fremont for 14 years. I have a wife, 3 daughters, 1 son, 2 grand children, and a cat, some very close friends, and a few out there who think I need a hair cut!!

I was Born in Weaverville California. I was raised primarily in the Bay area. I've lived in Palo Alto, Mountain View, San Jose,Yreka, Lake Shastina, I also schooled in Washington State for a few years, graduated from Pasco High 1979.

Being of Mexican-American decent. I understand racial tensions, and cultural heritage and its place in life as a family. We had to down play ours, California was not quite as progressive when I was younger.

I can be outspoken, and have been called the "pit bull" for the kids. I have been involved in the Fremont education system in some capacity or another for the last 13 years or so. I can proudly state I wrote the current Motto that Represents Fremont Unified School Districts main concept.

I also contributed much to the current mission statement, which is the foundation of the vision and direction this district is attempting to follow.

I am one of the longest standing members on the Advisory Commission on Instructional Equity (lots of years), I have been on the family Life Education Advisory Committee (lots of years also) the CFC committee or Community Facilities Committee (a 1 year study)PRAA and numerous other school related groups, and committees whose acronyms are painful and confusing and will only make your head hurt!! I was a co-founder of the Fremont All-Stars, a youth cheer and spirit group that used to go to all the county fairs, and parades locally.

I have tried to remain in the background for the most part, but have frequently been seen at the podium and on the Cable channel speaking out at Board meetings, or sending articles into the newspaper. Deciding to run has created the need for me to be more visible, and toot my horn more than I would have otherwise, so - toot! - toot! ... I've been here all along. (Yes it's me, that guy with the long hair and leather jacket!)

I tell you this only so you understand I am not just dropping myself into this election without some experience involving children, schools, and life in general.

I am not seeking to become governor or ruler of the free world....I am interested in making the children and parents of Fremont see that life has many paths, and all can lead to success if you choose to seek it. I believe sitting on the Board of Education I will have that opportunity to have input and add my wealth of experiences to that end.

If you want more details read on:

My experience with life is extensive for my 45 years of age. I bring practical and life taught experience.

In my life growing up I have Personally experienced much. Again being of Mexican-American decent I heard the racial slurs and the need to keep my ethnicity buried for self preservation.

OK, take a deep breath, ready?... ...I have experienced the gang thing, the drug thing, the alcoholic parent thing and the highly religious parent thing. The honors kid thing, the failing kid thing, the early baby thing, the marriage thing, the divorce thing, the step dad thing, the step child thing.

But wait!, there's more! I have been a security guard, a pizza parlor manager, a cement silo worker, a potato sacker, a landscaper, an office manger of a print shop. I was daycare for several children (besides my own), I have helped sell skin care products, I have taken a certified parenting workshop (several months long). I graduated from Silicon Valley college, as a certified desktop publisher. I have done remodeling, interior decorating and I have done care for the elderly and even my mother in-law loves me!!!

Having lived through the tough times of my youth, and the hard core life the streets can throw at you, realizing that while mistakes can be made while you are young, you can always be salvaged, and no person is beyond success if you are willing to be persistent, I want to give back to the kids what I learned the hard way, so that they can have an easier life than I did.

So, I could go on and on, but I think if you have not made a choice about me by now, the rest would just be interesting reading.

Thank you for your time and I sure would appreciate your vote!!!

Respectfully, Ray Bilodeau aka "PtaRay"

" An Open Mind has room to grow - A closed one is merely storage." E.R.Bilodeau

510-683-9142 Ptaray@aol.com