Candidate for
Board Member; Soquel Union Elementary School District; 4 Year Term

I believe in public service, which is why I continue to seek this office. The title "Trustee" indicates the importance of this position as it requires public trust; trust that whomever is taking on the responsibility of setting district policy is looking out for the interests of all students. Our district stretches from the Live Oak area of Santa Cruz Gardens, down through Soquel village, up Old San Jose Rd, south to Aptos and includes the city of Capitola. Two of our three elementary schools are at maximun capacity and NBMS has inreased enrollment by 50 students this year. Our facilities are in great shape thanks to the support of the community in passing a bond to build two new performing art facilities which double as lunch rooms. We have a pre-school at Santa Cruz Gardens with a wait list and no room at Main St. school or Soquel Elem. to place one there, so we are planning on placing a preschool at district owned property on Jade ST. Providing preschool experience is one proven way to help close the achievement gap & we hope to someday have preschools at all our elementary sites. I support this policy. The state budget contines to underfund schools and planning for competitive compensation will be a huge challenge in the upcoming years. This has been a fiscally conservative Board, so we are solvent, but unfunded mandates continue to challenge even the most careful planning. It will take experienced leaders to continue on our path of academic success & to stay fiscally sound. Please support my bid for re-election.