Candidate for
Board Member; Mount Diablo Unified School District

Sherry has been involved in Mt. Diablo schools for the past 9 years. Sherry is a member of the district's Budget Advisory Committee and the Parent Advisory Committee.

She has served on the Parent Faculty Committee and Site Council at Bancroft Elementary. She is also a member of the Site Council at Oak Grove Middle School the vice president of the PTSA. At Ygnacio Valley High School Sherry is the treasurer for the PTA and a member of the Site Council.

Here's what Sherry has to say about MDUSD:

MDUSD needs to retain and attract employees who love to teach and serve our children. In order to do this we need to offer competitive salaries and benefits. Many teachers are leaving the district for other jobs that offer what MDUSD does not + competitive compensation. Our students suffer the consequences of MDUSD's high turnover rate.

Our district needs a rolling strategic plan for the next 3 + 5 years. This plan needs to be developed through collaboration among all members of the MDUSD community which includes administration, teachers, office managers, custodians, students, parents, special education instructors, business leaders, and community members. A strategic plan will give our district direction and purpose. It will guide us as we proceed through times of economic crisis and economic growth. It will help all parents, employees, and community members understand the mission, vision and goals of the district.

The MDUSD Board of Education should provide the governance and policy leadership in this district. The Superintendent's role is to manage the district, implementing the policies, direction and initiatives advanced by the Board. The Superintendent must be someone who is trusted by district employees, parents, students, and community members.

Communication is vital to our children's education. The district needs a communication plan that is viable and usable by all parents, employees, and community members. Parents should know where to go to get information and the district must supply accurate and timely information for all of MDUSD's stakeholders. Parents should be able to share information and get information from district employees in a timely fashion. District employees should be able to use the information to make informed decisions and to communicate to parents and each other.

Sherry holds a bachelor of science in Computer Science with a minor in Business Administration from California State University, Hayward. She is a Competency Development Consultant for Chevron. Sherry is an expert in Information Technology and budget management and has created and managed budgets of as much as $250 million. She and her husband along with their two daughters live in Concord.