Candidate for
Member; Contra Costa County Board of Education; Area 5

MAINTAIN FISCAL SOLVENCY . . . Budget approval is the major task of the Board of Trustees. Today's economic reality requires that the Office of Education provides more services despite shrinking resources. As a trustee, I will review the budget to:

Eliminate Waste - Audit and review of policies and procedures to maximize efficiency. Flatten organizational structure to create a more direct line of communication between top management and rank & file to increase accountability, eliminate duplicated processes and easily identify strengths and weaknesses of the organization.

Provide Service - Verify essential and mandated services to insure that federal and state reimbursement policy/practice adequately covers these services. Consider alternative funding, NGO grant resources or less expensive/free services for programs not deemed essential or mandated.

Insure Equitable Compensation - Review total compensation package for all employees to determine equitable salary and benefits, avoid overcompensation and attract the best and the brightest in strategic positions.

IMPROVE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE / PROVIDE CAREER ORIENTED EDUCATION . . . As a trustee, I will advocate to:

Expand opportunities for Superintendent discourse and encourage intra and inter District teacher collaboration and best practices.

Foster public agency, private company and Union partnerships insuring rigor, relevance and relationship, linking education to career.

Offer multiple career pathways and engage students in small focused learning communities through internships, apprenticeships and job-shadowing in academies and magnet school environments.