Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Wiseburn School District

My name is JoAnne Kaneda and I am running for re-election to the Wiseburn School Board. I am completing my first term as a school board member and I would be honored to be elected to another term. Professionally, I have worked in aerospace for over 27 years as a business manager and information technology project manager. My goals for seeking a second term are to continue the high expectations and achievements of my first term:
1. strong academic excellence, as demonstrated by our steadily increasing API scores (all elementary schools scores are over 800) and two California Distinguished Schools + Dana Middle School and Anza Elementary;
2. balanced district budget, including mandatory reserves, while preserving academic programs;
3. completion of reconstruction of our new Dana and Cabrillo Schools;
4. integrated technology for district staff, teaching staff and into the classrooms;
5. community involvement in the excitement and challenge of educating our youth and providing a vigorous return on our education tax dollars.

On a personal level, I am married to a great husband and we are raising 4 sons. My folks were immigrants from Yugoslavia and I was born and raised in St. Louis, MO, received my B.S. in Languages, Education and Math from Washington University in St. Louis and my MBA from Drake University. We have been associated with the Wiseburn Schools for over 10 years, ever since our son Joey started Kindergarten at Anza as a permit student in 1995. Our son Andy is also in Wiseburn schools his whole school career, also starting as a permit student. As a permit family we learned to value the educational and social strengths of Wiseburn; as residents we continue to participate fully in Wiseburn opportunities.

My husband and I volunteer to support the soccer and baseball sports leagues by contributing our time to coach, referee, keep score, be the team parent, work in the snack stand, and so on. I have served as a board member on the Wiseburn Education Foundation, helping to spearhead the successful Rock Around the Block fundraiser for music and the arts in Wiseburn. This fundraiser has grossed over $55,000 at each event, providing funding for our music program for the past two years. I have also volunteered in the classrooms as a room parent and assisting the teachers.

My particular contribution as a board member is to guide the technology planning and integration in our new and existing schools. My professional experience as a leader in Information Technology and project management is readily transferable to district needs.