Candidate Statement

By Rebecca "Bekki" VanVoorhis-Gilbert

Please use the links on the left of the Main Candidate page to view the 10/7/10 Forum.

To educate myself about the OUSD, I attended most Board meetings over the last 18 months and visited all Orinda schools + talking with parents, teachers and concerned citizens about what is and what is not working in the district. I've also examined how other local school boards operate.

I've learned while there are many positives, there is room for improvement. My platform is:

1) Fiscal Integrity: Rather than engage in annual ad-hoc budgetary decision-making, the District should develop a Strategic Plan which promotes efficiency and intra-district collaboration; evaluates administrative costs, salaries and bonuses; and supports creative revenue generating ideas.

2)Responsiveness to Community, Parents and Teachers: Parents, community members and teachers should be recognized as partners in education given their voluntary, financial and professional support of our schools; District surveys of teachers and parents should be conducted to inform decision-making.

3)Transparency in Process and Communication: Line-item budget data should be readily available on the District website; Board meetings should be moved to evenings to allow working parents and teachers to attend; Board Packets should be made available on the website.

4)Advancement of 21st Century Student Skills: The District Technology Plan is obsolete and needs to be revised in-house utilizing community expertise. The new plan should incorporate project-based learning and ensure that all elementary school children arrive at OIS with similar preparation.

If elected I will do everything in my power to make informed and responsible decisions that benefit the entire OUSD Community.

Thank you, Bekki Van Voorhis-Gilbert, JD, MSW, PhD