Why Do I Want to Serve on the Lompoc Unified School District Board of Education?

By Kay Eatmon

"I know I can achieve, if you will just believe, in me." My first year as principal at Maple, I asked the students to write what they wanted from their education and from Maple. This was one of the quotes. What a powerful statement and how wise our children.

Can you imagine what our community would be like if we left no child behind? Or even better, if we left no child discouraged, ignored or unprepared for the world outside of school? All Lompoc students deserve the very best education and it is the responsibility of the board, working in collaboration with the superintendent and all district staff, to see that they receive it. As a board member, I would represent the needs and expectations of the entire community, and work to bring a knowledgeable, problem-solving atmosphere to the district.

Board members need to work together to have a clear, constant, living vision and plan for our district. We have our district vision and mission statement. We take pride in student success and we want to prepare our children to become responsible, thinking and contributing members of society. Shouldn't those goals be the basis for every decision we make?

We have huge challenges and must face them clearly, with all of the knowledge and information we need. I don't believe we've ever had a transition time as crucial as this moment. We will be choosing a new superintendent, assistant superintendent of business, a personnel director and will be looking at declining enrollment and a large decrease in our budget. This is a challenging time and requires someone who is knowledgeable about the district, community and the needs of our students and staff.

We are now a Program improvement District with nine Program Improvement schools. This will be a very challenging time for all of us and one that will require clear goals and action and accountability plans to make positive change happen. And we have to continue to change if we are going from good to great.

Imagine if all our students could eventually pass the California High School Exit Exam, preparing the way for them to graduate from high school with a strong foundation in basic skills and the knowledge and belief they can become whatever they choose. For that to happen, we must first believe, passionately and absolutely, that those goals are possible. Then we must work together to make it so.

I believe there are several things that would help us achieve that dream. First, we must build real, honest, trusting relationships with one another and RESPECT should be more than an Aretha Franklin oldie. Just as in the classroom, I would want to hear five "put ups" for each "put down." Imagine what the tone of our department, staff and parking lot meetings would be like if we all held each other accountable for those actions.

Respect should also mean that we realize that it takes all of us contributing to the work of the teachers in the classroom. One of my joys as Curriculum Director is a perfect example of how the work of each of us contributes to the success of our students. Dave Minch in the warehouse facilitated delivery of Saxon Math books to Linda Morrow and Laraine Villegas at the textbook library. They efficiently processed an entire "cafeteria" full of the materials for all of the district's special education classes. Books were delivered to Lompoc High School and processed by the textbook clerk who got them to Melissa Rudolf's Resource classroom, where she used them with one of her students who was also a senior but had not yet passed the district proficiency test. He was able to take the very "last chance" try at the test so he could graduate and walk with his class. He was one of only three seniors who passed the May test.

We can imagine what our students would look and sound like if they felt successful and capable in school and in life. But imagine, also, what our staff would feel like if they, too, had ongoing training and support necessary to fully perform their jobs. We need to upgrade our knowledge of new ideas, products and ways to do things and that takes ongoing education and renewal and constant monitoring and encouragement.

One of those things would be returning to a positive, trust based, collaborative process for negotiations. The board is responsible for setting the tone and building and maintaining positive relationships with employee unions. The board must ultimately decide on terms that are fair to employees and that allow the schools to maximize services to students. Boards ensure that the public's interest in its schools is represented at the bargaining table. Imagine if we had three employee organizations all dedicated to doing what is best for one another and, most importantly, for the district.

It would be so easy for me to "just be retired." But these are not easy times and I believe there must be continuity and consistency. The board has the responsibility to provide that continuity and guidance during these administrative transitions and these difficult and challenging times of educational accountability. I am here to continue to serve the Lompoc community in any way I can. I ask that you imagine what our district would be like if we all believed that each could achieve. Thank you.