Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Charter Oak Unified School District

A Dialogue With Joseph Probst

Why are you a candidate for the school board?

I have had a long term relationship with the Charter Oak Unified School District. I feel that I have helped the district to be a place in which one is proud to live, work, and educate our children. In these tough fiscal times we need to provide the highest level of education. We must recognize the contributions of all district employees in meeting our educational goals. At the same time that we are short of funds for the general needs of the district, the voters have passed a bond issue that allows us to start modernization of our schools. I want to ensure that the bond money is expended in the most efficient manner possible.

Have you ever served on a school board?

Yes. I have been a member of the Governing Board of Charter Oak Unified School District from 1985 to 1995 and 1999 to the present.

What are your qualifications?

Of course, the legal ones: citizen of the United States, resident of the District, and a registered voter. I was a volunteer at our schools before being elected to the Board. I served on PTA boards and school Site Councils. I was also the parent chair of IRAC. As a member of the Los Angeles County Grand Jury, 1998-1999, I served on the Governmental and Schools Committee that looked into public school operations. I also bring to the district my experience as a member of the board having been involved closely with the district for many years. I am the only member of the Board to have completed the Masters of Governance training provided by the California School Boards Association (CSBA.) I represented Charter Oak and other districts on the Delegate Assembly of CSBA and now serve as President of the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association (LACSTA.) I am committed to the best interests of Charted Oak USD.

How long have you lived in the school district?

Twenty nine years.

Do you have children attending school in the district?

Not at this time. Both of my children attended elementary, middle and high school in the district. They are both proud graduates of Charter Oak High School.

What are your activities in this community?

A good deal of my time is focused on being a board member. Currently, I am President of the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association. I served for a full year term on the Los Angeles County Grand Jury. I am a past director of the Los Angeles County Grand Jury Association. I served as Parliamentarian to the state organization. I have been involved with development of the Community Plan for Glendora. I have made an effort to keep the Charter Oak Library open and worked with the City of Glendora to bring a branch of the Glendora Library to the Sunflower school site. I have held leadership roles in the PTA and school site council. I am past president of the Covina Happy Hirams. I served a number of years as a member and secretary of the Covina Masonic Temple Association.