Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Petaluma Joint Union High School District

Academics

• We need to improve academic performance at all grade levels.
• We need to look for additional ways to honor academic achievement in much the same way that we now publicly acknowledge achievement in sports.

• We need to encourage a more consistent, content-rich curriculum throughout the district.
• We need to make sure that textbooks used in our classrooms have been approved by the state and are thoroughly aligned with the rigorous new standards.

• We need to adequately prepare students to pass the state-mandated high school exit exam.
• We need to ensure that our college-bound graduates have the skills necessary to pass basic college tests in English and math, thereby forgoing remedial classes during their freshman year.
• We need to hire and retain the most qualified staff and faculty, recognizing the goal of maintaining the excellence of our personnel.
• We must view every student as a future adult member of our community, and therefore provide each of them with the tools necessary to achieve a productive, happy life. Facilities
• We need to ensure the timely completion of the new junior high school on the east side of Petaluma.
• We need to rally the community to revitalize existing school facilities and grounds.
• We must maintain and when necessary enhance the programs designed to provide for the safety and security of our students.

• Given the budget limitations facing the District, we need to scrutinize all expenditures with an eye towards using every dollar wisely.

• We need to increase communication among the various school districts, specifically feeder districts.
• We need to host regular town hall meetings at convenient times where residents can contribute ideas about our schools in an informal setting.