During My Next Term of Office I Will Address These Issues

By Serene R. Stokes

The challenges facing the District are standards for all grades, revisiting strategic plan, and deferred maintenance.

I am proud of my record on the 1994-1998 Board. I voted to keep the bankruptcy cuts as far away from the classroom as possible, to put class size reduction on the fast track, to raise teachers' salaries, to make responsible budget decisions, to adopt skill-based textbooks for reading and math, to utilize test scores to improve instruction, and select an outstanding new Superintendent.
My family has lived in the district for the last 25 years. Two of our daughters attended Corona del Mar High School. Presently our grandson attends Harbor View Elementary School.
My husband of 47 years is an Assistant Superintendent of Business, an instructor at Pepperdine University, and President of Orange Coast College Foundation.
I am an active member of the community. I serve on the Sister City Board and Friends of the Orange County Interfaith Board. I have been a member of Spyglass Philharmonic, California Retired Teachers' Association and Women in Leadership.
My work experience and community service have enabled me to help find solutions to the many problems confronting the district.
During my next four years in office I want to address the following issues:
1. Increase the number of Distinguished and Blue Ribbon Schools in our district.
2. Revisit our strategic plan, and with the help of parents and the community develop a new vision and mission for our district.
3. Develop higher standards for all grades and subjects.
4. Approve educational plans that use assessment scores to determine strengths and areas of concern.
5. Maintain financial accountability.
6. Keep teachers' salaries competitive.
7. Increase the use of technology in the classrooms.
8. Promote value education.
9. Establish school/business partnerships.
10. Find the funds to address deferred maintenance.

I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work on the board and serve my community. I am committed to our children, our community, and to an effective public school system.
Please support my re-election.