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Orange County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
Smart Voter

Challenges Facing HBUHSD

By Cathey Ryder

Candidate for Board Member; Huntington Beach Union High School District; 2 Year Short Term

This information is provided by the candidate
My views on some of the challenges facing the HBUHSD both now and in the future.
One major challenge facing the HBUHSD is how to produce a balanced budget. The district must continue to retain the quality teachers already in place and to recruit "the best of the best" as the aging staff members retire. This need to have a competitive salary must be weighed against ensuring that the students have the tools they need to be successful. The physical well-being of all staff is also important, but again the cost of providing comprehensive medical coverage must be balanced against providing quality instruction to the students.

The newly refurbished and modernized schools must be properly maintained so that the investment in all of the upgrades is not wasted.Technology continues to advance and we must ensure that our schools are ready for the next "thing." If we are going to prepare our students for the jobs of tomorrow, the Science, Engineering, Technology and Math (STEM) classrooms must keep pace with the real world .

Another challenge is to ensure that district curriculum is keeping pace with the "outside" world. The district must make every effort to prepare the students to be full participants in the 21st century. Quality data driven instruction must be continually reviewed and improved. Good research based staff development must be in place .

Better ways to use social media to engage students and enhance learning must be researched and implemented.

To address all of these challenges, study sessions must be in place. Input from all stake holders must be solicited. Compromises from all sides will need to be made. There is not any one decision that can be made that can address the difficult financial issues facing the HBUHSD. As a member of the governing board of trustees, I would do my homework and listen to staff, students and members of the community. I would be open -minded and always remember to do what is "best" for the students.

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ca/or Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 15, 2012 10:19
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