A History of Involvement in Our Schools

By Catherine Bonnar

I have a long history of demonstrated commitment to our school district as both a parent volunteer and a School Board Member from 1998 to 2003. I offer ability, energy, continuity and institutional memory during a time of rapid enrollment growth and change.

I have been an active volunteer in our schools for over 16 years. Among other things:

• I was a classroom and school site volunteer at Central and Ralston.

• I served on the executive board at Central school PTA for years, including two stints as 1st V.P. in charge of fundraising activities, parent education chair, and newsletter editor.

• I have served on the Site Councils for both Ralston Middle School and Central Elementary School.

• As a parent, I worked to save the district instrumental music program when reduced revenues caused the Board to look at cuts some years ago.

• I worked with many others to help pass the successful bond and parcel tax initiatives.

• I was an active fundraiser and volunteer for the Ralston Project

As a member of the Legislative Committee for San Mateo County School Boards Association and as a Board Member, I communicated with state legislators and met with our two state representatives to discuss both our district's particular needs and the impact of the state's actions on our children and our schools.

Professionally, for the past 24 years I been employed as senior staff attorney for a justice on the state Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District, in San Francisco.

I am a member of several professional associations, and have served on the Board of Governors of California Women Lawyers and on the California State Bar Association Committee on the Appellate Courts.

I received my BA from Pitzer College in Claremont, California and my JD in 1978 from Stanford Law School.