Candidate for
Board Member; Moreno Valley Unified School District

Priorities if I am elected:

Identify Additional Educational Resources
- Improve communication through technology including computer and on-line parent/student interaction with district
- Expand sources and information availability to students through school libraries, books-on-disc, and college and university education partnerships
- Search out additional financial opportunities through public and private grants
- Expand E.L.L. and Literacy Programs at all grade levels

Expand Arts, Sports and Occupational Programs
- Integrate Music, Art, Dance, and Drama into all school programs and at all grade levels
- Expand academic paths in Technical Occupational education and R.O.P. programs
- Expand programs to support "non-traditional" sports and competitions

Establish and Maintain Safe Environments
- Improve and upgrade equipment for school sports and extra-curricular programs
- Identify methods to increase site security and personal safety of students and teachers
- Identify methods to keep common areas cleaner

Food Program Improvements
- Identify and implement tasty, affordable and healthy lunch menus

This list of Priorities is a compliation of comments and requests I have heard from students, parents, teachers and administrators over the years. I have found that they are concerned not only about the tradtional issues - test scores, economically disadvantaged food programs, and smaller class sizes - but also with their comfort, work load, and use (or lack of use) of available technology. Just a few of things that have been requested are:

Students
- A cleaner school (including the concrete in common areas, gymnasium and stadium facility bleachers and buildings, and outlying areas).
- A faster computer system and more use of the "Blackboard" for homework assignments.
- Up-to-date textbooks and textbooks on CD.
- New equipment (including music instruments, marching band uniforms, choir robes, wrestling and cheer squad mats, and sports equipment).
- Better tasting and healthy food.

Parents
- Coordinated start and ending times between primary, middle and high school levels.
- Alternatives to funding extra-curricular programs (through grants, donations, sponsorships).
- Simplify the registration and intra-district transfer process.
- Additional educational opportunities like R.O.P, Student Exchange Programs, and Technical Occupation Programs

Teachers and Employees
- More parent involvement and better communication methods regarding a student's learning needs
- A more comprehensive computer system
- Maintain supply levels of paper and printer toner and ink

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MVEA Interview Questions:

1. Describe your past commitment to and involvement in public schools.
2. Why should MVEA support you for school board?
3. What are your top five objectives if elected to the school board?
4. Tell us about your views on the role of MVEA in the District decision-making process and on staff involvement in site-based decision-making.
5. Please list any organizations with which you are affiliated, those who sponsor or endorse you, and those from which you have requested endorsements.

1. Describe your past commitment to and involvement in public schools. My commitment to the MVUSD began when my daughters entered first grade at Bear Valley Elementary School . I became an active member in PTSA for 8 years, and volunteered at school functions and in the classroom as often as possible. This commitment continued over the next 12 years through the middle school and high school levels, where more and more avenues of service presented themselves as my children grew and participated in various school and district program. I have had the opportunity to work with staff, teachers, students, administrators, and parents to support these programs.

I was invited to participate in the RCOE "Principal for a Day" program in 1996 and 1997 where I interacted with the administrators, teachers and children at Butterfield Elementary and Sunnymead Middle Schools . I have been a parent volunteer for various on-site school clubs and extra-curricular activities including Student Leadership Clubs, ASB, middle school tall flag team, G.A.T.E. programs, the Valley View High School Band and Pageantry Boosters, and the Valley View Pep Squad Boosters. My children have participated in several RCOE sponsored activities including the Riverside County Science Fair and National History Day at school, district, county and state levels. I became a Certified Parent Volunteer through the district office, which allowed me to increase the amount of time I could spend supporting these activities and programs.

Additionally, I served as the Educational Scholarship Foundation Chairperson for the Moreno Valley Rotary Clubs. The Foundation selects students from each elementary, middle and high school in Moreno Valley to receive a Certificate of Merit and Foundation Scholarships based on ability and need. My role as a part of this organization was to review applications, assist in the selection process, and present the awards to recipients at each school's Recognition Night or Graduation event.

I am currently involved in the Moreno Valley Promise which sets up youth study, safety and leadership programs through local businesses and organizations. Through these connections, students learn about community service opportunities and other resources to assist them toward higher education or career enhancement.

2. Why should MVEA support you for school board? My experience in the business, educational and community worlds has given me the skills necessary to be a valuable addition to the School Board. Through business I have learned time and project management, goal setting and implementation, fiscal responsibility, personnel management, and product promotion methods. My educational experiences have helped me understand the interactions between students, parents, teachers, staff, and administration, and the demands each must face from multiple sources in their day-to-day lives. My community and volunteer connections have given me a better understanding of people, their needs, and diversities.

I have a positive, "can-do" outlook, and I have always led by example. I enjoy being a part of the decision making process to make things happen + and I enjoy seeing the results of those decisions. I have developed my own ideas as to how I can make a difference, and I wish to share my successes at the next level and district-wide. And, I fully support the hard work of and understand the hurdles that educators face on a daily basis.

3. What are your top five objectives if elected to the school board? My list of priorities is a compilation of requests and concerns I have heard from students, parents and educators: Parent/Teacher/Employee Communication and Involvement
- Promote increased parental involvement in the education process
- Increase available technology and training to give credentialed and certificated employees time-saving tools (such as "Blackboard"), and improved methods of communication with students, parents and administration (such as more use of individual teacher's Internet web pages)

Identify Additional Educational Resources
- Improve communication through technology including computer and on-line parent/student interaction with district and school personnel
- Expand sources and information availability to students through school libraries, books-on-disc, and college and university education partnerships
- Search out additional financial opportunities through public and private grants
- Expand E.L.L. and Literacy Programs at all grade levels

Expand Arts, Sports and Occupational Programs
- Integrate Music, Art, Dance, and Drama into all school programs and at all grade levels
- Expand academic paths in Technical Occupational education and R.O.P. programs
- Expand programs to support "non-traditional" sports and academic competitions

Establish and Maintain Safe Environments
- Identify methods to increase site security and personal safety of students and teachers
- Identify methods to keep common areas cleaner
- Identify methods to reduce the number of portable classroom units in favor of permanent structures
- Improve and upgrade equipment for school sports and extra-curricular programs

Food Program Improvements
- Identify and implement tasty, affordable and healthy school site menus

4. Tell us about your views on the role of MVEA in the District decision-making process and on staff involvement in site-based decision-making. The MVEA is an important part of the decision making process at the District level. MVEA representation at Board Meetings is important because they represent over ½ of the employees in the MVUSD. Without their input, the Board would be unaware of the needs or wants of teachers and educators. The Site Council at each school is a wonderful opportunity for all parties involved to set goals and decide what is most important for their particular location. Both credentialed and certificated positions on these Councils are one of the best ways for the MVEA to keep the public in tune with its position and goals.
5. Please list any organizations with which you are affiliated, those who sponsor or endorse you, and those from which you have requested endorsements. Civic Organization Membership and Volunteer Experience: Rotary International - member since 1989

-Past District Internet Chairperson

- Moreno Valley Morning Rotary Club- Past-President (1995-1996)

and Educational Committee Scholarship Chair (3 years)
-Committee Chair for Fundraising and Donations

Awards and Interests :
-Principal for a Day (2 time participant, Butterfield Elementary and Sunnymead Middle Schools )
-Rotary Benefactor Designation
-THAWTE Notary (Internet identification and registration)

Endorsements:
- Hon. Bonnie Flickinger, Moreno Valley Mayor
- Jesus M. Holguin, Fiscal Analyst II and MVUSD Board Member
- Camille Meldrum, Local Business Owner, PIP
- Charles James Jr., Local Business Owner, Valley Party Rentals
- Dale Gardner, Local Business Owner, Sunnymead Ace Hardware
- Emma Motte, Local Business Owner, Imperial Realty
- Lydia Mendoza, Branch Manager, Union Bank of CA
- Zenia Lowe, Manager, MVUSD
- Roberta Cook, Parent

Endorsement Requests Pending: Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce Moreno Valley Black Chamber of Commerce Moreno Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce