Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Saddleback Valley Unified School District

As an avid supporter of our community public schools who sees the importance of quality education for all children, I am seeking to serve on the SVUSD Board of Education. During the past 18 years, with three children enrolled in Saddleback schools, I have evolved from a parent working in the classroom to a community member involved in the process of improving education for all children.

My service as Education Council President, Legislative Chairperson for PTA Council, president/member of parent and district support groups, etc. has provided me with a familiarity with budget issues, school safety, curriculum, and many other critical school issues. My past experience in public administration and the private financial sector has given me an opportunity to work with diverse groups in solving complex problems.

I believe most parents want more for their children. I believe most taxpayers want more for their dollar. With an increased emphasis on expectations and results on the part of both schools and parents, an increased level of achievement is attainable.

Our school community possesses all the essential elements for excellence. I will work to see that our entire community benefits from excellence in our schools.

My goals include:

Increasing Student Achievement

• Placing a high priority on increased student expectations through a renewed collaboration of parents and teachers
• Promoting realistic accountability - incorporating the new state standards into district curriculum and using multiple measures to accurately assess student progress
• Maintaining a safe, secure environment for optimal teaching and learning

• Continuing this district's commitment to sound fiscal management and maximizing the return to the district of all available funds through local, state and federal sources
• Our tax dollars are collected and then distributed through myriad avenues. It should be a goal of our school community to recapture the greatest possible amount of money for which we qualify.
• Seeing that all "one time monies" are fairly distributed to all grade levels with significant input from our teachers and parent leaders

• Providing meaningful workshops and training for parents who may wish to assume leadership roles in the schools
• Inviting parents and community members to attend and participate in Board meetings where school issues are discussed
• Focusing on Home and School communication vs. the providing of information

• Reaching out, as a district, to the larger community not just for financial support, but for real partnerships where experts facing challenges in their respective fields, whether in technology, energy cost containment, controlling medical benefit costs, etc., share their solutions and innovations with the schools
• Redirecting the sometime cynicism of the "watchdog" mentality toward education to one of collaboration, seeking positive outcomes which benefit us all