Why do you want
to be a member
of our School
Board?
I want to try
to accomplish
more for our
students
than I can as a
parent or
community
member.
What do you believe are the three most important qualities for a School Board member to possess?
- A love of children
An ongoing commitment to exceptional education
Experience in our school district
Do you believe you have the qualities necessary to be a good school board member?
When I was a child my mother was one of those women in the grocery store who sees a small child in a grocery cart and always remarks on how beautiful they are. She has given me that love and appreciation of children. I can't watch a movie where a child is harmed or kidnapped because when I leave the theater I cannot shake off worrying about that character. My days are filled with children and I can't imagine a better way to live.
I have already proven my commitment to our schools over the past twelve years through countless volunteer hours at our elementary, middle and high schools and on district committees trying to address the areas in which I think our district can improve ~ in equality on the Equity Commission, in communication and character education on the Parent Representative Advisory Assembly and in Health Education on the Health and Sex Education Committee. One of the most difficult committees I have been involved with was the Community Facilities Committee. The subjects of boundaries, overcrowding and overloading are contentious but I believe I showed my willingness to work through these difficult issues having only missed one meeting, when I was in the hospital giving birth to Annabelle. Now that is commitment!
How would you solve Fremont's Overcrowding Problem?
Overcrowding is directly linked to student achievement and growth. In order to limit overcrowding Fremont Unified needs to do a better job of addressing the achievement gap in our schools and they need to do a better job of collaborating with the City of Fremont.
The Achievement Gap
Quality preschool is an important part of student readiness. We need to make sure that quality preschool programs are available to students in need. FUSD should consider Junior Kindergarten programs for children who are age ready for school but not developmentally prepared.
There needs to be a more effective review process of school's Single Plan for Pupil Achievement. Effective best practices need to be shared between schools taking in to account schools unique socio-economic and diverse make up.
We need to make sure that we are creating an inviting atmosphere at our schools. Parents need to feel welcome if we are going to expect them to ask questions about improving their students performance or take advantage of the programs which are available. We need to reach out to local organizations who know our families best and who may have insight in how to reach our families and make them want to be part of the school/family partnership.
The City Partnership
Fremont Unified and the City of Fremont need to be doing a better job of working together. Cooperation and trust needs to be improved. Information needs to provided to the city so that they know where the school district is struggling. FUSD's annual housing report needs to provided to the Mayor, City Manager, the council and planning commission in order for them to know what challenges the district is facing and where. There need to be more frequent meetings between the School Board and the City or their representatives so we can improve our partnership. There should be a liaison from the District to the City and visa versa. These liaisons may not have all the answers but they should know where to get the information. Effective communication isn't possible if the 'go to' person is constantly changing.
What is the biggest challenge FUSD will face in the next six months?
Choosing a new Superintendent will be the most immediate challenge for the new Board of Education.
I believe my experience in Fremont Unified will help me be an effective part of making the right choice. I have already participated on a number of selection committees at the School District. Only someone who has been involved on an ongoing basis with the varied experience I posses will have the insight to make the best choice for our students.
Change = Instability
Due to the frequent change in leadership at the district level over the past four years our district has lacked the stability necessary to be effective. California Education Code has changed but our district hasn't changed with it. At some school sites our school leadership has become complacent because there hasn't been firm direction. We need to put a strong Superintendent in place who plans to stay with the district and offer the stability that has been lacking.
The Best Person for the Job
The next Board of Education needs to have the experience within our district to what we need in a leader. Our district needs someone who is a strong leader who models the qualities we are looking for in all of our employees, who knows how to build consensus, who has a strong background in K-12 education and who understands the unique make-up and challenges of Fremont Unified.
What is the biggest challenge FUSD will face in the next year?
The Budget:
Though we made it through the onslaught from Sacramento this year, next year promises to be no better. There are already warnings of mid-year budget cuts.
Where do we cut next
Additional cuts to our budget seems impossible (You can't get blood from a stone!), but they may need to be made. Fremont needs a Board of Education who will put student needs first, without losing sight of the needs of our employees and their families. We need a Board of Education who isn't afraid to make tough choices and stand their ground when necessary for the best interest of our students.
Finding Funds
Never has there been a greater need for partnership between our district and our business community. Already many of our businesses have stepped forward to be partners in education. We need to make sure that the other Fremont and California based companies understand the benefits of partnering with our school district. We need to be optimizing our Site Grants so no money is accidentally left on the table when it could be improving our schools. We need to be doing all we can to find grants and other outside resources for our schools. And, as the School Safety Bond successfully comes to completion, we need to be researching if tax payers will support a follow up bond and what they see as important enough to pay for.
Lobbying
The next Board of Education needs to be actively lobbying Sacramento. The board will be most effective if they already have ties to Sacramento and to other groups who are fighting to make sure education funding is available. I have the support of our current member of Assembly and I believe he is a strong advocate for our schools. In addition, I have been lobbying the entertainment industry to gain their support for education funding and the programs which are most seriously hurt by No Child Left Behind - the Arts.
What would you do to make our schools a safer place to learn?
Fremont Unified needs to remain a safe place to go to school. Gang Violence, bullying and vandalism is threatening our community. Parents and residents want to know what can be done to stem the tide.
Communication
Parents need to know what they can be doing to protect their children. Not only from Gang violence but from drug use, bullying, stress, depression and suicide. These are all topics where the School District can help protect our children. The Police Department has already stepped forward in partnership with the school district holding gang awareness information nights at our high schools in the evening, which have been invaluable. High School Seniors need to be informed about protecting themselves when they graduate. They need information on how to protect their health, how to not become a victim of so called 'Date Rape' drugs, how to recognize depression and what to do if they feel stressed out or even suicidal. Students need to feel comfortable coming forward if they know someone who is hurting or planning on hurting someone else.
Character Education
Fremont Unified has started to teach our students about character and what it means. Unfortunately the programs we support are not wide spread enough and not broad enough to fully address the bullying problem some schools face. We need to embrace the many cultures that make up Fremont Unified so that EVERY student feels welcome and safe so that they will want to be in school and can enjoy learning.
More than just Resource Officers
Though our High Schools have benefited from the cities resource officers on their campuses, we should be doing more in conjunction with the Police Department to let our neighbors know how they can make our schools and community safe. There needs to be a regular mailing to residents letting them know how to protect our students, our schools, our neighborhoods. Vandalism is costly. The city and School district should be collaborating to send a list of contact numbers based on the emergency or concern. The phone numbers should be printed on a magnet or sticker that can be placed in a handy location for future reference. Have you seen suspicious activity on campus late at night? Who do you call? Is there a leaking water sprinkler at the school during the summer? Who do you call? Have you seen someone lurking near the school who seems out of place? Who do you call? Are there cars speeding by the school or behaving in a dangerous fashion when children are present? Who do you call? Residents need to know how they can help.
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