Penny's Background !

By Penny Ranftle

"Kids Are Still My Cause"

My involvement with PUSD started when my children were attending Midland Elementary in the late 1980's. I became very active in classroom activities, and then progressed to assisting in PTA functions. Along with other Midland parents we developed numerous activities for the students including the Running Club, the Student Store, the Fashion Show and the Midland Carnival. Some of these events continue on even today.

In 1991, as PTA President, I found myself deeply involved in environmental issues at Midland. As a parent liaison to the Midland Environmental Task Force I was chosen to act as the spokesperson in presenting our findings and recommendations to the Board of Education. In my interaction with the board, I found some of those members to be less than responsive to the environmental problems or to our student's needs in general. This was a disappointment to say the least.

- My First Election -

In April 1994 after the resignation of a board member who was moving out of the district, the remaining four members met to select an interim replacement for the fifth seat. I was one of 21candidates and I offered that, if selected I would serve only as an interim member and would not run for the vacancy in the upcoming election. Despite my having received more votes than any other candidate, the board could not reach consensus to select a replacement. This resulted in an often deadlocked four member board characterized by contentiousness, bickering and an overall inability to conduct district business. On occasion board meetings extended beyond midnight. Now this dysfunctional board really had my attention! Those members who failed to place the needs of our children ahead of their own agendas had to go!

During the 1994 campaign, one of the main topics of discussion was the budget cuts. Some things don't seem to change. Also debated were fears of outcome based education (never happened) and school site medical clinics (again, never happened). As a basis for my campaign I stated that my sole motivation was to ensure that each child receives the best education possible. This motivation has not wavered. A supporter even stated that Penny has ... "proven herself to be a tenacious advocate for children". This also has not changed.

- Today's Board -

Since 1994, the board has returned to being an effective and efficient group and civility has prevailed. Over the years we have selected two highly motivated and respected superintendents. We also passed a bond measure resulting in 17 school facility upgrades making our schools second to none. In addition to upgrades and as the district's population expanded westward, we have built two new high schools, one new middle school and five new elementary schools. Administrative offices have been relocated closer to the center of the evolving district. These upgraded and new facilities will serve the district's students for years to come.

I continue to advocate for our students not only through my presence on the board of education, but also through my affiliation with the California School Boards Association and my leadership as the President of the San Diego School Boards Association. I continually lobby our legislators in an effort to restore budget cuts and to fairly allocate funding to all school districts.

- Results of My Efforts -

Despite the never ending financial constraints placed on this district, the board, the administration and the teaching staff continue to encourage and even demand excellence from our students. The bottom line of my years of service is seen in student achievement. I encourage you to view the rest of my website and see for yourselves just how successful this district has been in putting our students first.

I am extremely proud to have served as a member of your school board for the last 16 years and ask that you vote to allow me to continue to serve our children for another term.

"Kids are still my cause"