Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Monterey Peninsula Unified School District; Trustee Area 2

1. The Board made many difficult cuts in 2001 including laying off many competent persons. Since then many employees have retired or resigned. We now lack well-trained employees in several areas. Lack of affordable housing is part of the problem. Serious discussion between District Administration, city leaders and project developers should result in home sites realisticaly priced for workers.&

2. Inadequate salaries is the other part of the problem and employees now must pay towards Health and Welfare premiums. This is a hardship for many. As soon as practical, the District should find a way to fund all or part of the additional premium costs for its employees.

3. The Strategic Planning Committee needs to put forth a proposal for District reconfiguration. This could result in focusing reconstruction funds on schools with stable or increasing populations. District reconfiguration may include the closing of one or more low-enrollment schools, resulting in a savings.

4. Reconfiguration could result in money saved by enrolling students in neighborhood schools where population is increasing. Bussing students across town costs money. And we need to determine if bussing our students across town improves their achievement.