Candidate Statement 2006

By Veronica Grijalva Lewis

As your Trustee for the past 12 years, I have provided the vision and leadership to lay the foundation for our goal.. All Students Can Learn...All Students Can Succeed".

With regard to Fiscal Responsibility, formation of our Budget Advisory provided a process that enables us to balance our budget, even in times of State budget cuts and declining enrollment. Our community passed $429 million dollars in bonds enabling us to make improvements to our schools by providing funds to repair, modernize and rebuild our classrooms, bathrooms, athletic fields and instructional technology. We also have a A+ bond rating that gives us the best unterest rates and a Citizens Oversight Committee to ensure funds are spent responsibly.

In the area of Student Achievement, I supported reinstating 6th period in all middle and high schools and I maintain that commitment, along with the 20:1 class size reduction in K-2 grades. I supported the content standards in language arts, math and science and increased the graduation standards for our students. I actively participated in the rewriting of our Nutritional Policies to provide guidelines for the food and beverages allowed on our campuses. Seven of the schools in my Trustee area are California Distinguished schools, and one Model Continuation High School.

Communication has improved with the Public Engagement model we use to involve the community, businesses, parents and students to work together to ensure student achievement. I have actively served on the following committees: Budget Advisory, Bond Oversight, District English Learners, Voluntary Implementation Plan, PTA Council,Student Nutrition, Special Education. My four children graduated from San Jose Unified , which gives me an insight to parent concerns.

It has been an honor to serve as your Board of Education Trustee. I have provided the leadership to promote teamwork; I am a reliable , effective problem solver. I have resided in this community since 1971 and I am dedicated to keeping our children and our communities a priority. I ask for your vote to reelect me so I can continue to make a positive difference in the lives of our children by providing a quality education in a safe environment; it is my belief that education is the foundation if their future and whatever they learn today will enable them to pursue a productive life.