Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Las Virgenes Unified School District

I am by training and by nature a pragmatic realist. As a "numbers" guy, I am cautious about change and new ideas. These economic times requires the Board to be judicious and creative in allocating our resources to have the greatest effect.

At the same time, I realize that we can always improve methods and delivery, so I support nurturing new ideas that demonstrate worthiness. In my eight years on the Board, I have voted for many changes in programs, including technology advancements, the International Baccalaureate program, and alternative elementary schooling at Mariposa Elementary.

Learning occurs in the classroom, so we must have satisfied, motivated teaching our students. Classroom excellence cannot occur in a vacuum, therefore excellence in the classroom must be backed up by similarly satisfied, motivated support system personnel at all levels. The major challenge for the Board of Education is to set directions which provide for balance within the system, to the benefit of all.