Candidate for
Board Member; Santa Maria-Bonita School District

My name is Michael M. Kon and I was born and raised in Santa Maria. I attended Oakley Elementary School, El Camino Junior High School, Santa Maria High School class of 1987, Allan Hancock College and Cuesta College. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Redlands and my Masters' Degree in Educational Administration from California State University Los Angeles. I have my Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential as well as my Administrative Credential. I will be receiving my Single Subject Credential in Physical Education later on this year.

Sports has played a big role in my life starting out playing basketball at the Boy's and Girl's Club of Santa Maria. I played little league baseball at Westside Little League, Babe Ruth Baseball as well as a 3 year letterman at Santa Maria High School in baseball and basketball. I was also the Co-founder of the Santa Maria Tigres Semi-Professional Baseball Club. I took my athletic talent to Cuesta College in 1989 where I was the team MVP as well as All-Western State Conference Utility Player. I then went onto the University of Redlands where I was a two year letterman as well as team captain, All-SCIAC conference Catcher, MVP, John Moore Memorial Award Winner and an All-American Honorable Mention Catcher in 1992.

As an educator I taught 4th and 5th grades in Conejo Valley Unified School District and Los Angeles Unified School District. I was the union representative while teaching in Conejo Valley Unified. I was the Physical Education Coordinator, Hiring Committee Chairman and Track B Coordinator at Los Angeles Elementary School. I also was an instructor for Physical Education in the LAUSD District Intern Program. I was an assistant Principal for the Santa Maria-Bonita School District. I was the Academic Affairs Manager at Santa Barbara Business College in Santa Maria. I am a member of the Elk's Lodge 1538 as well as officiating high School Football and Basketball and donate time to youth sports.

I am married to Wanda Kon who also attended Adam Elementary School, Fesler Junior High School and Santa Maria High School class of 1987. We have two children Mason and Sloane.

My father Herman Kon was very active in the Santa Maria Community being on the Parks and Recreation Board, President of Westside Little League, President of Santa Maria Babe Ruth Baseball and has a baseball field named after him, "The Herman Kon Field" as well as being President of Santa Maria Youth Football and was a member of the Elk's Lodge 1538.

"Something my Pop always told me was that if you didn't like the way things were going, don't complain about it, do something about it." I am very concerned about the direction of the Santa Maria-Bonita School District and having children that will be in the district I want to make sure that my children and the children of the community of Santa Maria, get the same great education I received and enabled me to become a positive member of my community as well as a positive influence on the lives of my children and others in my community and beyond.