Position Paper for Michael Helms SCUSD Board of Trustees 2014

By Michael Helms

Michael Helms' platform with four main goals: safety, academic excellence, preparedness, and finances.

As parents with a daughter in the district, my wife and I share the goal of all parents - to get the best possible education for their kids. I believe that the SCUSD has the potential to be the best school district in California, if not the country. My goal is for our district to be the best - as we in Santa Clara are not just "in the heart" of Silicon Valley - we ARE the heart of Silicon Valley. We must not settle for the way things have always been done, and we must constantly strive to improve. There are people with interests in the district who want to turn the clock back to the 1960s - and that is the wrong direction. Teaching, technology, and Santa Clara have all changed since the 1960s. We are in the 21st century, and we must move forward and provide all students with the best possible education. I believe that in time, the SCUSD will be a model for other school districts who want to be known for excellence.

I have four top priorities:

(1) Safety - Provide all students with safe schools. I believe that every student must have a safe learning environment. That means physical safety, and also includes mental and emotional safety. If a student is not safe, or does not feel safe - that is an obstacle to learning. Students should never be bullied, harassed, or subjected to harmful behaviors - from anyone.

(2) Academic Excellence - Support excellent teaching for all students. We must challenge students and provide top-level education services. We must listen to students and parents who ask for additional math courses, foreign language courses, computer science, arts, vocational education, and much more. Many families cannot get their children the schooling they need and want from our district. Those families are then forced to choose a non-public school option, or even move to another school district. All students deserve outstanding schools - not just those whose families can choose other options.

(3) Preparedness - Ensure that all students get an excellent education. The district should offer each student what he or she needs to be prepared for the future. As every student is different - their future plans and goals will also be different. Some want to learn a trade and begin work - others may want to go directly to college - and others may not yet know what their future will bring. Our school district must continue to improve, and provide every student with a good, solid foundation.

(4) Finances - Get the most value for every dollar spent. To make the first three priorities possible - we must get more performance from our budget. As sources of new revenue are limited, it is essential that we find new ways of using the resources we have to reduce class sizes, provide high-quality classrooms, and provide teachers with the tools they need. Our school district is adding students, and the current financial model cannot provide for needed infrastructure and staff. We can and must do better, so improving district finances is a key priority.

I will bring my expertise and knowledge as an engineer and teacher to the board. I received my first college teaching credential 30 years ago. I have worked in high-tech in Silicon Valley for many years, and am skilled in design thinking, problem solving, and complex systems. I have first-hand knowledge of the long hours that parents work to provide for their children, and they have asked for a trustee who will put their children's interests first.

As I am an advocate for the students, my priority as a board member is to always ask "What is best for the students?" I will actively listen to the students, their parents, their families, district taxpayers, and all stakeholders in the SCUSD. I will seek excellence, and work to improve the district in all ways. With time and a solid board of trustees, the SCUSD can and will be a superb place for students, benefiting families, taxpayers, and district employees - by sharing Silicon Valley with the world.

Please vote for Michael Helms for TA3 - Santa Clara Unified School District Board of Trustees 2014