Candidate for
Member; County Board of Education; Trustee Area 5

I am Michael Oliver and have lived in Santa Cruz County for 13 years and moved to Seascape 3 years ago with my wife, Vickie, and two children that are currently attending Aptos High School. My education background includes:

• BS in Biology from UC Irvine,
• Masters in Education Policy and Administration from Stanford University,
• PhD from the University of British Columbia in Physiology (Neurobiology specialization).

• National Science Foundation where I was part of a team that funded states to align mathematics and science teacher education programs, standards, curriculum, assessments and state policies;
• Middle school science teacher;
• Researcher and evaluator of multi-million dollar science education partnerships between districts and universities to provide professional development for elementary and middle school teachers.

• Three site councils (Main Street, New Brighton and Aptos Junior High); and
• Served a four-year term as a Soquel School Board Trustee.

As an individual, I learned that I possessed the strength of conviction and persuasion, as well as, the ability to work with a group of diverse individuals to create something better for everyone. I also learned how to make hard and sometimes unpopular decisions but live with the choices and consequences.

My evaluation work with schools, districts, counties and states has provided me a wealth of information about the educational system and has led me to a vision of education for every child in Santa Cruz County. First, the major issues that our community faces are declining revenue, reduced programs, and teacher retirement and recruitment.

Because of these issues the County Board of Education (COE) and local school districts need to work together in more collaborative ways: i. COE resources that used to create programs now need to be used to keep educational programs working in districts. ii. Districts need to share or combine resources (e.g., teachers and space). iii. Resources at Cabrillo College and UCSC should be made available to all students when appropriate and count towards graduation (both high school and college); iv. COE and districts need to assess and evaluate their programs, as well as, provide useful student data to teachers that allows for the honest assessment of a program's worthiness and the effectiveness of teaching and learning. v. County-wide strategy that fosters teacher collaboration that shares their practices and students' learning in ways that will enhance student achievement and teacher satisfaction.

I want to be your County Board of Education (COE) Trustee because I have the skills, knowledge and ability to make a difference in the way the COE manages itself and works with school districts.

If you feel that you want someone to protect and speak out for the children and school districts in the Santa Cruz County,then vote for me, Michael Oliver on November 4, 2008.