Party/Affiliation: Office is non-partisan, but registered Democrat
Current Job: Fire Captain
Top 3 Priorities if Elected:
RESTORE ADEQUATE FUNDING TO THE LIVE OAK SCHOOL DISTRICT
My plan to restore funding will involve a combination of political advocacy and developing new revenue streams. I have spent the past ten years developing positive working relationships with elected officials throughout the Bay Area and Central Coast. I have the experience needed to lobby effectively in Sacramento for public policy and budgetary decisions that will benefit the Live Oak School District and public education in general. Additionally, I will make the creation of a Live Oak Schools Foundation a priority. While public schools can apply for many grants without formally establishing a charitable foundation, I believe that doing so will allow the board to pursue additional funding sources for specialized programs such as the arts and health and fitness. I also think establishing a foundation will allow us to better leverage existing community partnerships as well as establish new relationships with companies doing business in our community.
IMPROVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN HOME AND SCHOOL CLUBS, AND OTHER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
As a parent, I intend to be active in the Home & School Club at Del Mar Elementary where my daughter goes to kindergarten. If elected to the board, I will be working with current board member Heather Rhodes on a plan to help to the Home & School Clubs at all district schools better meet the needs of parents. One of the ideas we have discussed is varying the time of meetings or offering multiple meeting times to better accommodate the schedules of parents whose work or home responsibilities make it difficult for them to attend meetings. We are also looking into ways that we may be able to use technology or social media to help connect parents to each other and to the school community.
FACILITATE THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW BOYS & GIRLS CLUB AT SHORELINE MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Boys & Girls Club is a wonderful organization that makes a positive impact in communities in countless ways. The Club at Live Oak is already an important part of the overall educational mission of the district, but the new facility that is planned will be able to serve many more children and will add incredibly valuable multi-use space adjacent to Shoreline Middle School. I have been a supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula (serving East Palo Alto, Redwood City, Menlo Park) for several years and I have the endorsement of the Executive Director of that organization. I will make the completion of the new facility a top priority, and will work to ensure that the ongoing operation and maintenance of the facility will not adversely impact district financial resources.
