Reasons to vote for Patricia Ann Culley

By Patricia Ann "Pat" Culley

Positive Change----End to status quo. Please find a list of my accomplishments and priorities I hold for our Santa Maria high schools

POSITIVE CHANGE ---- END TO STATUS QUO

• The following is a list of my accomplishments and the priorities I hold for our Santa Maria high schools.

2. I am responsible for raising community awareness about the need for credentialed Counselors in our local high schools. I helped secure a counselor for Righetti, which brought it into compliance with the Education code [August 2000]. Most high schools in the state have one counselor for every 350-400 students. Prior to my action, Righetti had over 2000 students and no counselors, and Santa Maria had one counselor, the worst ratio of high school students to credentialed counselors in the state of California. I am continually working to improve this ratio in our District, so that ALL of our children have a chance to succeed.

3. I am responsible for putting the Board on notice that both Santa Maria and Righetti have entered a Title 1 Program called "Program Improvement". This is a program for only the poorest performing schools in the nation. It's part of a federal program to improve our schools nationwide entitled "No Child Left Behind." Righetti entered the program in 1999-2000, and Santa Maria entered the Program in 2000-2001. They both receive funding from the Federal government to improve the academics of the District's economically disadvantaged children and other disadvantaged groups. It is my understanding that Righetti has not made adequate yearly progress as defined by the Title 1 documents for the last three years and is therefore on probation. Santa Maria High has also not made adequate yearly progress for the last two years and may also be subject to sanctions. I will work to exit "Program Improvement" as this is a stigma for our schools and the surrounding community.

4. The teen pregnancy rate in our Santa Maria High Schools is one of the highest in the nation. As a Registered Nurse, and Registered Public Health Nurse, I will work with parents, city, district, state, and county officials to reduce this serious problem. The answer is not to stick our heads into the sand as our school district insists on doing-the answer is to face the problem and find solutions. At stake are the lives of the young people of our city.

5. I am committed to reducing class size and working with city, county and state officials to secure new school sites for our growing student population. The solution today, in order to prevent overcrowding tomorrow, is what hasn't been done for thirty years, planning. Also, we should never have more than 35 students in academic classrooms for any reason, under any circumstances. (It is now an accepted and common practice) School districts must not be allowed to do what they can get away with, they must do what is right.

6. I am dedicated to working with parents, teachers and community members to ensure that all voices are heard. All professional teachers must have a substantial voice on all major issues that affect our schools-they are the ones in the trenches and are accountable for academic achievement. Currently very few of our professionals have significant input. Priorities need to be re-evaluated and more money needs to be put in the classroom.