Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Cayucos Elementary School District; 4 Year Term

Times are tight. We have issues. We are not administering a school district for our benefit but for our children's, for their future, and the future of our communities. Let us acknowledge that we are in this together, and in times of great need it is more important we stick together and make difficult decisions after conversations that the entire community is invited to participate in. For it is through shared knowledge and honest and open communication that we will pave the way to better days for us, and for the children we serve. In looking to the future of this board, we need to sort through the issues and narrow our attention to the most pressing. One immediate duty the board will face will be hiring the next Superintendent. The new Board will choose, direct, evaluate, and set clear goals for the Superintendent. I embrace the challenge of selecting a new leader for our school.

I'd like you to consider voting for me for school board because of what I have to offer. I have experience with the school as our daughter is currently in 5th grade and has been at Cayucos Elementary since kindergarten. I am an active parent, involved with PTA, a room parent, and other school volunteer activities. I am an active member of our community as a member of the Cayucos Lioness Club and Cayucos Friends of the Library. I'm an educator who has taught at middle school and high school levels. I currently teach chemistry at both Cal Poly and Cuesta. I am committed to education and firmly believe in continuing to support our wonderful school and staff.

I will work towards creating an easier way for policy questions to be answered to concerned parents/guardians and community members. I will strive to make important policy issues more transparent to the public. How? One way to do this is the school website. Last school year and this year the school-wide area of emphasis is technology-based support of students, staff and parents. It's time to focus on our area of emphasis. Let's have Board Agendas and Minutes on the website.

Our district is currently a Basic Aid district. This means most of the revenue received is linked to property taxes. In this troubled economic climate, if property values decrease, so will our revenue. If this happens, district revenue could then depend on Average Daily Attedance (ADA). Our economy is so unstable, and our State does not yet have a budget, money is going to be a challenge. Obviously the Board does not have any say over the state budget, but does have to be fiscally responsible.

I bring a fresh perspective and listening ear. I will contribute my ability to be a team player and will listen to community concerns with an open mind. I'm asking for your vote.