What (and Who) I Represent

By Evan M Tuchinsky

Positions and pledges regarding openness and options

Obviously, these are challenging times. They also are polarized times. Yet, public schools belong to the public, and school trustees are nonpartisan officials.

I'm an active member of the community who will represent our community. I will do so by seeking out community members, not simply expecting community members to come to me.

I have spent time on every campus and pledge to continue doing so. Once the election is over, I plan to rotate among all the school sites in order to make myself available to parents, students and staff. I won't just wait to hear from people at the supermarket, pharmacy or board meetings.

With me, you'll get a board member pushing for openness and transparency, while promoting dialogue and respect. You'll also get someone who realizes that knee-jerk cookie-cutter thinking doesn't serve anyone well.

Schools are not factories churning out widgets. Children learn differently. One size doesn't fit all.

I support options. I am pleased that PUSD has taken charter schools not as a threat but as an example of innovative thinking. Creekside 6 and Evergreen 6 are charter-like 6th grades at the Intermediate School. The eLearning Academy offers a great opportunity for students to learn remotely from certificated instructors.

These programs match what I value in quality charter schools: distinctive curricula and alternate structures. I always will support schools that are fiscally sound, well-governed and measure up to the standards our community demands; that includes charter schools.

I support vocational education, and would push for increasing such opportunities through apprenticeships at community businesses and collaboration with our institutions of higher learning, Butte College and Chico State.

Collaboration is key. I support Professional Learning Communities, not just within each campus but across the district. This initiative is a prime example of finding better ways to do things when we have to make do with less.

These may be times of diminishing revenues, but that doesn't have to equal diminishing returns or diminishing expectations. Our children deserve the best we can give them -- and that includes whomever we select to represent them, and us, on the school board. Thank you for considering me for that responsibility.