Dear Friends

By Kim Turley

"Back to School" has taken on a whole new meaning for me since I decided to join the race for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board (Trustee Area 7). I am eager to give a voice to all children in the district, and need your support in order to win this election.

This is a critical election, one that has the potential to completely change the balance of power on the school board. To be successful against three+time incumbent, Sharon Gray, I will need to campaign and campaign hard! I can't do it alone. But with your help, we can together build a better functioning school board --- one that would work for all of our community's children, improve employee morale and restore harmony throughout the school district.

Teachers and staff are already working incredibly hard to help all children to achieve. Test scores were already improving--- prior to the resignation of Superintendent Mary Ann Mays. Her departure left a void in the strong collaborative leadership required for student achievement to continue to improve. One of my highest priorities is to recruit and hire a highly qualified superintendent who can lead the school district forward. With that in place, I will then focus my efforts on increasing academic achievement across the district, addressing the ramifications of the "No Child Left Behind Act" and finding effective ways to reduce our high school drop out rate.

To be successful in this campaign, I will need to raise several thousands of dollars for voter lists, advertisements, mailers and signs. A small committee of supporters has begun working, but more help will be needed along the way. I sincerely hope that you will be one of my early endorsers, as well as a financial contributor, and that you will help me find other supporters. I have included extra endorsement contribution forms here and hope you will pass a few along. Feel free to make copies.

If ever there was a time for schools and community to pull together, it is now! Aptos area schools need strong representation at the District level. I will be that strong voice. Join me by lending your name in endorsement and/or making a donation to support my campaign. Together we can continue to improve the education of all of our children.

Thank you,

Kim Turley