Candidate for
Board Member; Palo Alto Unified School District

My Priorities and Values

Educational Excellence for All Students

I continue to want every PAUSD student to have access to an education which leaves them curious and excited about learning for the rest of their lives.

I support:

• High academic standards. Our district has steadily moved into greater alignment with California State Standards, and I have strongly supported staff in cross-curricular alignment which clarifies our expectations at each grade. This work forms the foundation of our district's next phase, as it moves toward the Common Core State Standards over the next several years while maintaining the differentiation which has been its hallmark for so long

• Alignment of PAUSD graduation standards with California A-G requirements. Over the last four years, it has become apparent that Palo Alto continues to struggle with gaps in college readiness for some students. In keeping with the 2008 Strategic Plan goals, the Board has moved to align PAUSD graduation standards more closely with California University A-G requirements; ensuring that all graduates will be qualified to attend a California 4 year public university.

• Appropriate challenge and improved supports for all students. As your Board Trustee, I want every child in Palo Alto to receive an outstanding education, and I understand: this crucial goal requires both a willingness to challenge our students and to leave no stone unturned in supporting them, so that they can be successful.

• Staff development to extend sharing of best teaching practices. Over the last four years, teacher collaboration has advanced on many campuses, and I am committed to supporting district-wide staff development work to extend best practices that challenge and support all students.

• Extended technology use to support and enhance classroom learning. Our staff has seen promising early results from a range of technological innovations, and I support work to help our District use technology to support great teaching, curricular reinforcement and enhanced student learning opportunities.

Sustained excellence requires the highest standards of fiscal stewardship.

I have pushed successfully for:

• Efficient Oversight of school and community funds during difficult financial times. Our district budget combines local, state, and private revenue to serve all students equitably across our district. As statewide cuts loom, it is particularly important that district spending is aligned with our vision and strategic plan, and that all spending decisions be made with transparency. As a longtime business executive, I have worked consistently to ensure that this happens across PAUSD.

• Strong fiscal oversight of the public's bond and parcel tax funds. Out of respect and gratitude for our citizens' generous funding of these important funding measures, our Board has an ethical duty to oversee all aspects of the public's bond and parcel tax spending. I have used my business background to provide strong oversight of this ongoing process, which will continue to be crucial to our work over the next several years.

• Renewal, roll-out and ongoing implementation of the District Strategic Plan. Our groundbreaking 2008 Strategic Plan is due for renewal in the coming year, and will need to reflect changing priorities in our community. Representatives from our entire school community must collaborate effectively so that the new plan can guide the district reliably. Timelines and metrics will continue to be critical for accurately tracking the district's progress over time, and my experience with our 2008 planning process will be a key factor in the new plan's success.

• Extensive business executive experience. As an MBA with 14 years of professional experience in business management, I bring extensive executive level skills in management, finance and strategic planning to the Board. Effective, clear, transparent and judicious oversight of our district's finances is fundamental to my work as your trustee.

With growing enrollment and aging facilities, our District must continue to think strategically about its infrastructure needs.

I am committed to:

• Master Plans to accommodate enrollment growth and update facilities. As a Board trustee, I have worked hard to shape Master Plans across the District to make the most efficient use possible of space, time, and available revenues s we plan together for the future.

• District-wide K-12 building program and recent land purchase. Our District's ambitious renovation and expansion program is currently on time and on budget. I promise to use both my executive skills and my wide ranging Palo Alto leadership experience to continue to keep this work fully on track.

• Collaboration with the City of Palo Alto on joint use of Cubberley. During my first term, our District began discussions with Palo Alto city officials on the collaborative use of the Cubberley site, a move which will protect a vital resource in our community, and which can save millions in taxpayer expenses over time. In my second term, I pledge to continue that collaboration so that our community can be assured of a joint plan that ensures the highest standards of public trust in both Palo Alto City and School District work.

With resources continuing to tighten, our Board needs seasoned leaders familiar with District context over the last decade.

I bring:

• Five years as PAUSD School Board Trustee, including term as President. Ours remains a growing district, despite uncertain public funding; and our stakeholders hold widely differing views on many key issues. I will build on five years of Board leadership experience to extend the clear guiding principles and close cooperative relationships that will set our direction as we pursue our practical, long-term vision for this district.

• Over a decade of community leadership service. As my resume shows, I have worked full time as a volunteer community leader for more than 10 years, including six elected PTA offices as well as Board service on Youth Community Service, Palo Alto Art Center Foundation, Downtown Children's Center Preschool. I have also been a hands-on volunteer across town in classrooms as well as on youth sports. I understand the rich network of community in our town, and I have used it to reach out across our many stakeholders as we all work together to raise our young people.

• Establishment of successful community partnerships. As a Board member, I have built on deep connections to establish successful partnerships on a broad range of issues from bond money oversight to curriculum to student social and emotional health. This promising work needs to continue if PAUSD is to weather challenges ahead.