Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Templeton Unified School District

Students and their families are the top priority. All decisions must be made in the best interest of all students. We must ensure that each child masters the basics and is challenged to do his or her best every day. This has to be across the whole spectrum of ability. We must provide each child with a well-rounded education, including computer literacy, vocational and fine arts, and physical fitness.

The staff are the next priority. Our district is blessed with an outstanding staff. I'll work to maintain a healthy, respectful relationship with the teachers and the classified personnel.

Fiscal responsibility is important - especially with the budget situation at the state level. My goal is to make sure that the students get the most benefit out of each dollar spent.

I hope we can get back to a financial position that will permit placing paraeducators back into the classroom. I was a member of the VES Site Council that funded extra paraeducator hours over the last two years.

In general, I support inter-district transfers for the revenue and other opportunities (such as the ability to offer more electives based on larger enrollment) they bring. However, I recognize the potential for class sizes to get out of hand and for programs to be impacted. I'll vote on a case-by-case basis.

Finally, I think the role of the board is to communicate a vision (the big picture), put a great staff in place, provide them with the tools they need, and let them carry out the vision (the implementation details).