Candidate for
Board Member; Temecula Valley Unified School District

SUSAN ELLIOTT

BA, Communications, UVM, 1980

Temecula Resident since 1999 TVUSD Substitute Teacher since 2000

Previous occupation: Employment Recruiter, Sales and Marketing

Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Volunteer: 12 years

Temecula PTA Board Member: 6 years

Temecula Valley Council of PTAs: Current President (25 schools)

23rd District PTA (Riverside County): Current Insurance Commissioner, Past Parliamentarian

Married to Terry, our daughter Samantha is a junior at GOHS

I have dedicated 12 years to the welfare of children in our schools through my PTA involvement. I believe that every adult has a responsibility to ensure that all children develop to their full potential. We must encourage them and provide them with the best possible educational environment.

I would strive to improve communication between the school board, teachers, parents, and administrators. I have the time to devote to this endeavor. As PTA Council President I am already active throughout the school district providing positive support, training and leadership.

I have been in the classroom as a teacher and as a parent volunteer. I want to take the next step and expand my involvement in our local education system. I would bring a unique perspective to the board, as a PTA leader, substitute teacher, and parent.

1) What do you see as your function on the Board of Education?

I foresee my function on the Board as multifaceted including to:

Work effectively as a team with the other Board Members and the Superintendent.
Keep students' learning and achievement in the forefront.
Monitor students' progress.
Follow the laws, rules, policies and procedures of the State and District.
Keep open lines of communication with the community (parents, students, staff and businesses)
Involve the community to help our students succeed.
Keep our campuses safe.
Negotiate and adopt a feasible budget.

2) Where can the district improve both educationally and financially?

Our API scores are good, but they can be better. Other districts in CA have higher scores. Keeping students in school will improve their education. I think it's great that the police are out looking for truants. We also need to inform the parents that they shouldn't take their children out of school for vacations during the school week. Wait until summer or authorized school vacation times. Rather than cut more programs, I believe that we need to partner with the community and businesses to become our benefactors and allies in education. I am all for more vocational education opportunities to be available.

3) Tell us about yourself and why you are running.

Last year was a difficult year for the TVUSD. There was an erosion of trust as a result of a bitter contract dispute. It is imperative that the Board, administrators, teachers and parents become a team. As a PTA leader for the last 12 years, I have worked as an advocate for children. I have a proven track record of working well with people and opening the lines of communication. As a substitute teacher in the district I have a unique perspective into the situations at the school sites. I have the time and desire to do the job, so that our goals may be accomplished, taking the district from good to great.