Open Letter to Voters from Terry Lattemore & Dennis Slusser

By Terry Lattemore

Our view of the future of Biggs Unified School District

As many of you know, the Superintendent of the District, Bill Cornelius is leaving to pursue other career options in Sutter County. Also, the elementary school principal, Jerry Walker has resigned to accept a job in another school district. And the Biggs Unified Teachers Association has a new president. The District has hired a new elementary school principal, Stacy Doughman and will be recruiting and hiring a new superintendent.

The impact of these changes in personnel can bring uncertainty, anxiety and trepidation within the employees, teachers, students and parents. This change can be used as a positive thing, however. You can make some choices this coming November that will help turn the situation around at Biggs Unified School District.

This is the perfect opportunity for us to introduce ourselves to you, the voters. Our names are Terry Lattemore and Dennis Slusser. For many of you, our names will have a familiar ring. The Lattemore family has lived in Richvale since 1915. My mother, Audrey Norris Lattemore attended Richvale Elementary School and Biggs High School as did my Father, Lionel Lattemore. I also graduated from Richvale Elementary School and Biggs High School.

The Slusser family also moved to Richvale during its infancy. Although Dennis didn't attend school here in the District, his father and uncle graduated from Richvale Elementary School and Biggs High School. His grandparents are stalwarts of the community and he has a large family connection with many aunts, uncles and cousins who have attended school in the District.

Now, Terry Lattemore has a grandson attending school at Richvale and in four short years will be in Middle School in Biggs. Dennis Slusser has two children attending school at Richvale. Dennis' son and Terry's grandson are in the same class and will go through all of their school years together.

Because of our history within the District and our children and grandchild attending school now, we are committed to working to make the kinds of improvements necessary to improve the educational experience for every student in the District. We believe the students in this District have infinite potential. We believe each student deserves the very best education possible. We will work with teachers, administration, parents and others to see that the schools within the Biggs Unified School District are constantly improving. These improvements will emerge through the concerted efforts of a dedicated faculty, fully engaged parents, an energized administration, and a governing board seeing to it that financial, educational, maintenance and organizational changes are made in a way that will support and enhance the educational potential of every student.

Dennis and I have a goal for the District. We believe the faculty, staff, students and parents within the District have it in them to raise the achievement of each of our schools to levels that rival the best schools in the country. We don't want our schools to be good; we want them to be the best. We already have students with the ability to achieve greatness, we just need to nurture their efforts in a way that will enable them to go on to college and excel.

We are running for seats on the school board because we believe our fresh perspective will help the administration and other members of the board look at things differently. We have no other agenda but to see to it that BUSD thrives and turns out life-long learners. I have many years of managerial experience that will come in handy during this time of change and unrest. Both Dennis and I look at things pragmatically and will resist the temptation of allowing things to continue being done "the way we have always done it." Clearly that approach is not working now. Change is required. We believe we can help achieve the kind of change that will benefit every student within the District.

Making these changes won't be easy. But not making changes will mean more of the same. It is up to you as voters to decide whether or not what you have now is what you want for your children in the future. We think not. We think you will take a look at what has happened over the last few years and decide it is time for a new look. What is needed is a new perspective. We also need a new way of thinking about how to deliver high quality education without breaking the bank. Our perception of what our students can achieve needs to be elevated. We should be looking at every bright and shining face in our classrooms and wondering which one will be an astronaut, senator, doctor, teacher or Pulitzer Prize winner. We must demand that parents be an integral part of their child's education. The district can't do it alone. We need the active participation of every parent or guardian of every student.

We can envision a future where Back to School nights are attended by 100% of the parents, students, faculty and administration. We can envision a future where teachers, the principal and superintendent are engaged, supportive, effectively communicating and having fun while their students continue to achieve their full potential.

If you share our vision of the future, I would encourage each of you to get out and vote November 2, 2010. Remember our names when you enter the voting booth or open your absentee ballots. Remember that there are two of us who need your votes. Cast your votes for Terry Lattemore and Dennis Slusser. We can and will make a difference!