Candidate for
Board Member; Brea Olinda Unified School District; 4 Year Term

CONCERNS

I have identified several areas of concern that have prompted me to seek a seat on the Brea Olinda Board of Education.

• It is imperative that our students receive every opportunity to succeed throughout their school experience. This includes successful completion of the elementary curriculum, junior high curriculum and the curriculum and mandates required for high school graduation.

• Another concern is that of fiscal solvency and budget. Brea Olinda Unified has had a reputation of being a district with strong reserves while meeting its fiscal needs. Today, the district is operating with the state mandated minimum reserve. The coming school years are going to be very trying times in the budget arena. If elected, the district budget and finances will be of a highest priority.

• Third, an area of concern is the safety and security of our children, staff and schools. If elected, I would request a complete study of safety and security in the district.

• When school district budgets get tight, one of the first areas to be cut is the fine arts program of the district. As the district works its way through the budget process, I will champion the fine arts programs as well as other elective areas in the instructional program.

• Lastly, the district has experienced a tremendous turnover of its teaching and classified staff. While admittedly people retire, too many of our staff leave after a short tenure to find other positions in other districts which compensate at a much higher level. In a comparison of 28 districts, Brea Olinda compensation is not competitive. Our school district should not become a training ground for other school districts. We need to hire and retain the best professionals possible.

If elected, my goals are to:

• Ensure the continuance of the excellent educational program offered by this district
• Support our Superintendent and his administrative team
• Ensure every student has maximum opportunity to pass Exit Exams and graduate
• Strive that all B.O.U.S.D. teachers are fully credentialed
• Offer competitive salary and benefits for all employees
• Ensure effective use of general fund monies
• Make every effort to see the bond monies are used efficiently to avoid unnecessary expenditures, costly change orders and overruns