Candidate for
Trustee; Sacramento City Unified School District; Trustee Area 7

The motto of the Sacramento Unified School District is: "Putting Children First." To achieve the most success, we must also put the family first. This is becoming more difficult as societal norms continue to move away from the traditional family unit, and toward greater acceptance of such situations as a high divorce rate, living together arrangements, and other alternative life styles. Educators should do all they can to promote the values of the traditional family, while at the same time offering the best possible assistance to children, parents and guardians in less ideal situations. There needs to be a comprehensive effort enlisting the help of faith-based instititutions, local community organizations, along with teachers,parents and guardians, to instill values that will return our society and educational institutions to moral and intellectual greatness. Children should be taught to respect all human life from conception to natural death, and to strive for lofty goals in terms of personal discipline, family values, education, vocational and professional achievement.

The SCUSD needs to make sure that every student has all of the activities, academic/college prep, vocational, and elective coursework needed for a well-rounded educational experience, and especially to be able to compete in the modern job market in whatever career path they wish to persue. More high schools should offer vocational curricula, in addition to the smaller schools specifically designated for that purpose. Academic offerings in addition to the math and english "teaching to the test" subjects should include more of the others, such as the earth sciences--including astronomy--seemingly diffused within what is called "integrated science." We need all of our programs in arts and music.

If students are to do well in school, they must first be able to get to and from the school in safety and comfort. The elimination of free bus transportation for elementary school children is troubling. In the budget process, what program or project was saved by making that cut? The Sacramento City Schools should do what they can to retain as many of the neighborhood elementary schools as possible. Consolidation would intensify the transportation crisis, as well as almost certainly result in more teacher lay-offs. SCUSD should also be concerned that in addition to the achievements in nutritional value, students should also have the most affordable school lunch program possible, even free when necessary.

In attending school board meetings, I have seen presentations and/or mention of some great programs and projects, along with a few questionable items or issues, occasionally offering public comment, pro and con. As a substitute teacher in various school districts, I have occasionally told the students: "Be hungry for knowledge, like you're hungry for lunch. Knowledge is power! Power to the people! YOU are the people!" Let's empower the students, parents, staff, and leadership of the SCUSD with both traditional family values and progressive academic/professional leadership -- I ask for your support on the Nov. 6th, 2012 election ballot -- VOTE! -- RALPH MERLETTI for Sacramento City Unified School District, Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 7.