About Mary Kirkhart

By Mary Kirkhart

As former member of the Board of Directors of a public company, I have the experience and knowledge of how to preside over organizations in an open and transparent manner.

My husband Mark and I are proud parents of a son who is in first grade at Montecito Union. I believe the most engaged and accessible School Board members are those with children at the school. If elected, my son will be a student at MUS for my entire School Board term.

As a 20-year Santa Barbara resident, the last 14 years in Montecito, I will bring community knowledge and spirit to the MUS Board. I am originally from Whittier, California, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

As your Board member, I will:

- Provide proactive communication and eliminate "surprise" decisions.
- Make information readily and easily available to constituents.
- Take the initiative to make meetings respectful and inviting.
- Lead the charge to protect our Basic Aid/local property tax funding status.
- Manage the budget prudently to ensure that our money is working for our children.
- Ensure all stakeholders are working together in a trustful manner.
- Strive for an excellent organization, not just a better one.

While on the Board, I will fight to preserve the legacy of Montecito Union while finding every opportunity to improve student achievement.