Statement of Purpose, Background and Volunteer Efforts

By Jeffrey L. "Jeff" Adams

Many have asked me why I am running for the MDUSD school board. Here is (1) a brief statement of purpose, (2) my views, background and abilities in addressing and solving key issues facing the District, and (3) a brief summary of my significant volunteer efforts in Contra Costa County over the past 16 years.

As students conclude high school, they must be prepared to tackle--and enjoy--their future with confidence and in accordance with their own talents and abilities. Each and every student must succeed in the public school system, and that requires the Board to do its part. I pledge to work to make that happen.

Parenting aside, teaching children constitutes the greatest profession in the world. Yet, our MDUSD teachers continue to teach without a contract and great teachers continue to leave our district to work in neighboring Districts where working conditions are better because the Board has not met its major responsibilities in regard to collective bargaining. The problem also extends to other District employees who likewise work without a contract. I have 16 years experience as an attorney specializing in labor and employment law with specific experience in collective bargaining and will work for Board consensus, provide direction to the District bargaining team which exists to represent our children first, and work with MDEA (the teachers' union) to achieve a mutually agreeable contract intended to attract and retain great teachers.

I am very troubled by the District financial management irregularities at the District level including reports of (1) a recent $830,000 IRS penalty assessed to the District because taxes were not paid on time--with the underlying problems known to Board members about two years in advance of the penalty; (2) teachers not receiving accurate paychecks and paystubs; and (3) a report that millions of District dollars were improperly spent without advance and proper approvals. Having earned both a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and a Master of Business Administration degree, having started and run two of my own businesses on limited budgets, and having worked in a controllers group of a large corporation with specific responsibilities over finance (including budget development and oversight responsibilities), credit and collections and resource management, I feel I am the best candidate with the specific and sufficient practical experience and education to really address and correct these financial irregularities. I pledge to do so.

I have dedicated many years to helping children in Contra Costa County in volunteer service, including serving on school site councils (2 terms), teaching high school age students (4 years), coaching 19 girls and boys AYSO soccer teams (16 years), acting as Cub Scoutmaster and institutional leader of a Boy Scout Troup (6 years), serving as adult leader at Liahona Summer Camp (3 years), coaching youth basketball teams (3 teams), and supporting student extracurricular activities including sports, band and choir. Also on a volunteer basis, I administered and directed the distribution of funds, food and goods to those in need in our community (5 years) and have been privileged to be twice appointed to the Contra Costa Judicial Evaluation Committee which reviews qualifications of candidates to become a judge, including candidates who may become judges assigned to juvenile cases. I have also volunteered my time (1) teaching students (each for a day) about the legal profession including visits to courtrooms while in session and (2) taught high school students in the classroom about the legal profession in connection with Court of Appeal judges holding court sessions at high school. In short, I believe in volunteerism, especially that geared toward our K-12 youth.