Highlights of My Three and a Half Terms

By Robert H. Griffin

I have a demonstrated track record of maintaining both high academic standards and governing with fiscal responsibility.

I have demonstrated fiscal responsibility. We operate on a balanced budget. Under my guidance the District finances are very solid. We are facing difficult time ahead due to the economy and state and county finances. These difficult times will require difficult decisions, which will require experience and good judgement.

I supported the bond Measure M, which the voting public passed, and feel that it is important to see that this program is properly completed. My experience in construction, accounting and finance has been very valuable to the District. I intend to see that all the bond proceeds of Measure M are both legally and wisely spent.

I supported the higher graduation requirements that the District implemented. We increased the credits required to graduate. I am committed to higher standards for all students, particularly in the area of language arts and mathematics. I supported adoption of core curriculum, which provides a solid foundation in each student's first two years of high school to enable each student to go to college or pursue a technical vocation or apprenticeship program. I also supported the adoption of the seven period day, which offers students support programs and opportunities for advanced course offerings. I supported removing the restrictions to taking advanced placement and honors classes, which resulted in a significant increase in the number of students successfully completing these classes without any decline in the results.

While I believe we need to continue to improve overall student achievement, I also believe that we need to address the achievement gap between the District's overall performance and under-performing groups within the District (the poor, people of color). I believe that we need to analyze the test results and the impact of our early intervention programs and support classes to provide the most effective programs possible.

I believe that we should work with all the cities in our districtand other school districts to leverage our limited resources. For many years we enjoyed joint-use agreements which benefited both the cities, other schools and the District. I have been personally involved in the development of such joint-use agreements, which have led to cooperation between the District and its member cities. Because of this cooperation we have been able to leverage your tax dollars by jointly constructing facilities. I intend to work to improve these relationships.

I have promoted school safety as an important issue and we have some of the safest schools in the County. We extensively cooperate with all the local law enforcement agencies and have annual disaster and safety drills. The results of such vigilence were apparent in the recent attack on Hillsdale School where school site personnel were successfully able to subdue and capture the assailant without harm to anyone.

I believe that it is important for me to be re-elected to finish many of these important initiatives.