Candidate for
Board Member; San Marcos Unified School District

Seventeen years ago, I arrived in the United States, as an immigrant from Belgium, with my wife, and with only two suitcases and $200 to my name. But, I was fortunate to have a college degree! Even as a preschool assistant director and shortly afterwards director, my wife was still barely making above the minimum hourly wage. Financially, we had very little choice but to temporarily live in a motel, paying rent from week to week. I bicycled my way around town applying for a job and going to interviews. Thanks to my degree, I was offered a position as a computer programmer for a small firm which provided services to housing authorities (HUD). Within six months I was promoted to director of the computer division. Being a system analyst and a programmer, I learned the business rules of the industry and designed entire software applications.

Fourteen years ago, I was determined to become an entrepreneur and start my own small business. I created, marketed and sold software tools throughout the United States and eventually worldwide. I also was a lead consultant and contractor for several midsize to large companies.

A little less than seven years ago, I engineered a revolutionary active web page development tool. It allowed for an extremely rapid and efficient creation of business web sites.

Twelve years ago, I considered myself to be the most fortunate man I knew. It was then that I became a parent, and my perspective on life changed forever. Five years later, I was blessed to have a second child. My daughter is a 7th grade honors student attending San Elijo Middle School, and my son is second 2nd grade special needs student attending Carrillo Elementary. Being a father to both loving, and extraordinary children, has helped me to understand the value of my involvement in their lives. The love I have for my family is the main reason I want to dedicate myself to helping our school district.

As a parent volunteer, six years ago, I was asked to help create a web site for my daughter's school, Carrillo Elementary. Shortly afterwards, the past district technology director, became aware of the incredible possibilities to better their communication with parents, and wanted to use the same system across the district. For the next five years, I became a parent volunteer in my daughter's classroom. I enjoyed helping students, and also volunteered to teach an after school technology class. I taught 3rd,4th and 5th grade GATE students how to use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, and even how to create web sites with plain text editors and advanced products like Macromedia DreamWeaver.

As a PTO member, I learned how parent involvement in their children's school benefited the entire community. With the assistance of the Carrillo web site, the Carrillo PTO raised more than $100,000. dollars last year! This in turn helped to fund the hiring of a music teacher, as well as lab support staff, and many concrete solutions that directly helped the students.

Last year, San Elijo Middle school PTO also raised close to $200,000. The active use of the web site system was directly related to the increased communication between the school and parents. Teachers can easily and securely maintain their class information. Instead of using expensive, multi color carbon copy forms, over 1000 parents already are receiving report cards printed on regular laser paper, creating actual savings. Our district should seize the opportunity to take advantage of this technology and expand it's use.

A little over a year ago, I went in front of the school board to show how we could save as much as $1,000,000. per year, using the system already purchased by the district. By increasing the proper use of technology, we reduce expenses, increase efficiency, decrease management errors, and improve and increase communication and parent involvement.

As an Educational Software Engineer, I designed a Student Management System, which currently has more than 1,500 web pages, and maintains more than 3400 types of information. The Rancho Santa Fe and El Cajon school districts are currently using this system. I have personally spent countless hours in focus groups with teachers, district staff and parents. I have also visited many districts and schools, and listened carefully to all the issues staff and parents have shared.

As an analyst, I have always tried to stay objective, and carefully study all aspects of any problem. "Listening", "researching", "comparing" and "analyzing", have much more significant meanings than just words to me. They are how I approach most daily choices as well as challenges in life.

As a board member, I would bring my sense of logic and objectivity. As an individual, I constantly strive do my best, to "Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated." This simple rule has always helped me to better understand and relate to anyone.

Please be reassured that I will always represent the school district with the highest standards possible. I would always abstain from voting on matters that would even remotely conflict with the software business I own. My goal is to help our community, by making our children the highest priority.