Candidate for
Board Member; Alpine Union School District; Unexpired Short Term

There are a number of reasons I am running for the Alpine Union School District Board. Here are a few of my qualifications/beliefs:

Our Future -- Children are a blessing. They should be treated as such. No child should be forgotten or left behind academically and socially. We need to work better as a community to properly prepare our youngsters for higher levels of education and the workplace.

Vested Interest -- Like many of you, my two children will be students in this school district for years to come. I have a vested interest in the success of this district, its students, administration, and staff.

Business Acumen -- I have vast experience and expertise in business. This school board has very little business experience and continues to struggle with the ever increasing fiscal pressures and business issues it faces.

Safety -- Prior to the Cedar Fire, I requested an evacuation plan and am now working closely with faculty, parents, teachers, administration, the Sheriff Department, and a County Education Safety Specialist to provide every parent with an updated evacuation and contingency safety plan. This plan is currently in process and we are hoping to have it ready for the Fall of 2004.

Communication -- I will work to dramatically improve lines of communication between parents, the PTA, faculty, staff, and administrators. One of my goals is to increase attendance at school board meetings. Parents need to take a more participatory role in their children's education. The media can be an invaluable resource in achieving this goal.

Academics -- I have an 18 step plan to improve the academics of the children who are at 'Basic' or below. This plan is similar to one endorsed by the California Teachers Association. It will cost little or no money for the District to implement.

Wasted Opportunities -- The School Board needs to dedicate more resources to 'look outside of the box' to increase revenues. With my business experience, I will continue to suggest new ideas to bring more children into our district and increase dollars into our coffers.

High School -- I am a proponent of having a new High School built in Alpine and in using Proposition H funds (passed in March of 2004) to complete this goal. We are a large community and should be the masters of our own destiny (not to mention our children's as well). I am not a proponent of raising any further taxes to do so.

Representation -- Serving as a board member I will ensure a balanced view of each and every issue, always representing the best interests of the children and the parents first. As your Trustee, I will always listen.

Consensus Building -- As a member of the School Board, I will work to build agreement on every issue. When it comes to the children, gridlock is not an option. EVERY issues deserves substantial scrutiny. I was asked to be President of PRONASA because of my ability to govern and my ability to bring the team members together and move this non-profit organization forward.

Volunteerism -- The success of any program depends largely on the people who are involved day-to-day. I will work to increase the level of volunteerism and parental involvement in the programs. At a time when every dollar is tight, the parents are the best friends the district can have.

Opt-In Program -- I am a major advocate for the Opt-In program. A youngster should not attend any program with sexual content, drugs and alcohol info, or other controversial issue without the written consent of their parents/guardians. Parents are the best decision makers when it comes to the welfare of their children - let's leave the power where it belongs.

No Obstacle Too Large -- When the previous School Superintendent told the parents we had "no recourse" on their decision to move the Community Day School to the Creekside/Shadow Hills campus, we mobilized the community. I helped lead the successful fight to reverse this decision. We kept both systems in place and eliminated the potential risk to both programs. When the issue is important, I get things done and don't take 'no' for an answer.

Ethics and Public Relations -- I will work to polish the image of the Board within the community and with the parents.