Candidate for
Board Member; Monterey County Board of Education; Trustee Area 2

SCHOOL FUNDING

Our public schools seem perpetually short of funding to accomplish all we expect of them. I have had significant experience and success in lobbying at the state and federal levels for local school funding, to obtain money for operating expenses, capital improvements and special programs. I will use this experience vigorously to garner every dollar of state and federal funding available to us to support quality in our local schools.

EFFICIENCY IN OUR LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS

It is apparent to me, and to many others, that there is significant room for improving efficiency in the application of the funds available to operate our local schools. As a member of the Monterey County Board of Education, I will initiate networking among the administrators of our public school districts to explore the cooperative combining of some school district functions, such as bussing and cafeteria services, which have potential for saving significant money.

CONSOLIDATION

Consolidation among our different school districts might afford both financial efficiency and increased articulation between different grade segments. I do recognize that consolidation can have a detrimental affect on the independence and autonomy of the different school communities. I will encourage discussion among our many school districts to evaluate the possible benefits and disadvantages of consolidation, and afford assistance to any of the districts that decide on their own that unification might be beneficial for them.

BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT IN PUBLIC EDUCATION

Local employers have a significant vested interest in the quality of education, especially when they hire new employees. I will strive to expand their awareness of the importance of an excellent education system and its positive impact on their business. I will share the advantages of their becoming involved in our public schools. I will create an exploratory committee of volunteers from the business community to advise me and the Monterey County Board of Education regarding which aspects of our education system are particularly important to them. I will encourage members of our business community to get involved directly at the schools as advisors, mentors, financial supporters, and spokespersons. And, I will encourage each school district in Monterey County to appoint a member of its administration to serve as its liaison with the business community so that businesspeople have better access for their involvement in our schools.

ACCADEMIC STANDARDS & CURRICULA

Our schools must prepare students for the future to which they aspire, whatever that may be, as well as to be productive, attentive, thinking members of society. I will strive to establish and maintain the highest possible standards for academic achievement in our public schools, consistent with the needs of both students going on to higher education and students who will enter the workforce directly from high school.