WHY IS ANN TANNER RUNNING FOR CARLSBAD SCHOOL BOARD?

By Ann E. Tanner

As a native Californian and a product of public education in California, I believe we owe the children, parents and citizens of Carlsbad a world-class school system. Now is my time to give back. Public education is the backbone of our wonderful Carlsbad community. We need effective, efficient leadership to face the increasing demands on our resources. Problem solving skills are a must. I have spent my entire professional career counseling families in crisis, balancing budgets, helping teens recover from alcohol and drug addiction, teaching parenting skills and volunteering in our community and schools. I have raised five children. Three are college graduates and two are Carlsbad High School graduates and current college students. Strategic planning will be critical over the next few years.

WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS?

• B.A., Stanford University-Canfield Scholar
• M.S., Columbia University, Social Work, Graduated top 5% of class
• American Red Cross First Responder and Counseling Service Team including Hurricane Katrina & San Diego Wildfires
• Clinical Program Manager, Chemical Dependency Recovery Program, Kaiser Permanente
• Community Instructor for Effective Parenting Classes and Grief Recovery Classes
• Stanford University Admissions Volunteer
• Mother of five children.

As long as the extended demographic data indicates that Carlsbad Unified School District will have well over 3,000, in fact up to 3,800 to 4,000 high school age children, the answer is "Yes."

In the 2006 Proposition P referendum almost 70% of the voters in Carlsbad asked to pay higher taxes in order to build the new high school and to modernize Carlsbad High. Only 12% of those voters have school age children. Clearly the voters of Carlsbad recognize the impact of great public schools on their property values and quality of life.

The complete re-modernization of CHS is well underway. Soon (in about two years) the new, modern, CHS will be ready to go. In a sense, we will have a brand new high school at CHS.

It is important for CUSD to build the second, new high school (College & Cannon) and then provide a world-class educational experience at both high schools.

Also, we need to have a fiscally astute School Board to manage the task of funding the operations of two high schools. CHS will accommodate approximately 2,000 to 2,200 students. The second high school (at College & Cannon) will be where about 1,200 to 1,500 students will be educated. A given should be that both schools have a strong academic underpinning. We will need to discuss what will be the other factors shaping the new high school such as a school-within-a-school or specialized academies, (Science & Math, Performing Arts, International focus, etc.)

WHAT ARE OTHER KEY ISSUES IN CARLSBAD SCHOOLS?

The fact that less than 2/3 of our high school graduates qualify for entrance to Cal State or UC is of concern. This is far lower than should be the case in a community like Carlsbad. (Poway, Coronado, San Dieguito Districts have a far higher percent of students prepared for college). We should have a much higher % of students who have completed the requisite A - G requirements. The unpublicized fact, that only about 1 out of every 7 or 8 students who matriculates at a junior college, goes on to graduate from a 4-year college or university is a concern. Thus the vast majority of the 45% of CHS grads who go on to junior college will never graduate from college. They will be that much less prepared for a rapidly changing world and global economy. Don't we want to prepare our students for a challenging future world? This is primarily a question of the focus and determination of our administration, not student skills. We should consider requiring three years of high school math, and two years of lab science for high school graduation. Such a small change would have a tremendous impact on qualifying for college.

For some time our math scores in Carlsbad have deteriorated as students move through our system. In Carlsbad, the % of students scoring "Advanced" or "Proficient" in state standardized math tests declines from 3rd to 5th grade, then again from 5th to 8th, and yet again from 8th to 11th grade. We need to have a systematic approach to arresting this alarming trend. The ability to understand both math and science (as well as the liberal arts) is key to success in our world. Bill Gates said, "I have never met a successful person who doesn't understand basic math."

WHAT ABOUT THE MONEY ISSUES?

California is in a fiscal crisis. Carlsbad is not immune. For years, the state of California has spent more than the tax receipts. While being a "Basic Aid" district offers some potential benefit to Carlsbad Unified, we will want to have a School Board trustee who is thoughtful, fiscally astute, can listen to the community members, carefully consider what is best for all of our students, and take appropriate actions. Keeping spending reductions "as far away from the classroom" as possible is a good guide. To date, Carlsbad schools have done better than most surrounding districts in addressing these matters.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON TEACHERS' UNIONS?

While dedicated, skilled teachers are essential for quality education, my first priority is to the students, not to the teachers' union. We should set our priorities around asking and answering the question, "What is best for the kids?" The recent trend of teachers unions throughout California to look to solutions that are primarily for the benefit of union members, and not necessarily best for kids, is troubling. For the most part CUSD has a good relationship with its two unions (Teachers and Classified). I would like to continue on a path that seeks mutual solutions.