Answer: In December of this year, I will have had the honor of serving as a trustee of the J.S.U.S.D. governing board for twelve years. I'd like to continue to serve this District, and its constituents, for one more term because I'd li
ke to
accomplish several more of my goals, including seeing the completion of
the renovation/modernization of our lovely, historical high school
campus.
2. What do you like the best about being on the board? What do you like the least?
Answer: I especially enjoy working to support so many exceptionally talented students, teachers, and staff who make our District the unique and special place it is. I dislike the seemingly constant struggle to maintain our existing programs and services due to the drastically reduced revenue from the State of California.
3. What is your vision for our schools in the next couple of years? In ten years?
Answer: I hope to see our District's financial position stabilizing and improving substantially during the next two years, so that we can continue to attract and retain quality teachers, expand our academic programs, and increase our student achievement in all areas. In ten years I expect our District to be regarded as one of the best small school districts in California.
4. What do you see as the biggest problems currently facing the John Swett District? How can those problems be solved?
Answer: Like most school districts in California, the state of public school finances is our District's current biggest problem. We are struggling to meet all of our financial obligations, and stay afloat. We will continue to budget wisely with the funds we have, and look for even greater efficiencies. Ultimately, it is up to the legislators in the state of California to solve our public school funding shortcomings.
5. What qualifications will you bring to the board to solve those problems?
Answer: I bring twelve years of experience as a trustee of this District, plus the energy and perseverance of a concerned parent, teacher, and constituent. I've been involved with the J.S.U.S.D. since my son began kindergarten in 1989, and have volunteered in the District, at many levels, consistently since that time. I also spent several years working as a substitute teacher at Hillcrest Elementary while my son moved through grades K - 5. All of these experiences have given me an understanding of the issues, and the confidence to continue working on the problems facing this District with determination.
6. If you could make one major change to the school district, what would it be?
Answer: I would like to bring back the hundreds of District students who have left our schools for private schools, or for schools in other districts. Reversing this trend would be critically important to ensure our District's long-term viability.
7. There is generally a feeling in the community that there is little or no interaction between John Swett schools and the community, and very few people ever attend school board meetings. Do you feel school/community relationships should be improved? What can the school board do about this?
Answer: I believe the Board needs to establish student community service requirements at all of our campuses. We need to enhance our curriculum with more emphasis on local environmental concerns. Just as we want our local industries to be good neighbors, we need our students to be good neighbors, as well. This would translate to little District tolerance for littering, graffiti, cursing, and obnoxious behavior when students are off campus, and a general attitude of respect, by our students, for the property and people of our communities. It would be great if our students would willingly participate in community improvement activities such as town clean-ups, coastal cleanups, community fundraising events, etc. Interested community members can see current announcements, up-to-date calendars of upcoming school events, and Board meeting agendas and minutes on the John Swett Unified School District's website (jsusd.k12.ca.us). Community members are also welcome to email the Board members on this site.
8. What are your opinions about upgrading Carquinez Middle School? Should the Middle School remain in Crockett, or be moved to Rodeo?
Answer: I would love to see Carquinez School renovated and modernized with the same deliberate, respectful care that we are using to restore John Swett High School. The status of our middle school facilities will be one of the many critical issues our Board will discuss thoroughly during the coming year(s). It is my expectation that the Board will be given all of the relevant information necessary to move forward on this issue. Community members must be involved from the beginning. The Board will need input from all stakeholders. If it is decided to ask our voters to fund a size-able construction project, I expect to review only a proposal that has been well thought-out and completely researched, with ALL costs included, and all contingencies, including location, resolved before being placed on a ballot.
9. Why should voters select you to remain on the John Swett Board?
Answer: As a school board member, I am part of a team who decides issues that affect the lives and well-being of approximately 1700 students, as well as all District employees. I spend many hours preparing for each meeting, so I'll have a basic knowledge of the issues on the agenda. I've learned to defend my position with facts, and to consider all of the information, rules, policies, and the law when making decisions. I listen to all input, striving to be open minded when others express their (sometimes opposing) opinions. I weigh the facts and vote my conscience. I have always considered myself to be an independent thinker; I do not let pressure from others determine my vote. When I disagree with others, I attempt to see things from their perspective, and no matter how emotional the issue may be, I never let friendship leave my voice. I believe I serve for the right reasons, and govern for the common good.
10. And some personal information about you, such as your occupation, do you have children/relatives in the schools or working for the District, were you a John Swett student, what community activities are you involved in, and whatever else you'd like to add.
Response: I am a credentialed teacher with more than 30 years of experience in both the public and private sector. For the last several years I have been an educator with the Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek. One of the main aspects of my job for the past few years has been leading tours of wetlands to students of various ages in East Contra Costa County. I have also been a volunteer at the museum's Wildlife Hospital since 1985. I have hand-fed and raised many animals, mostly various species of birds, but also squirrels, raccoons, and opossums. To me, the most gratifying part of this work is being able to release these animals back into the wild when they are ready to be independent. In addition to the rescue and rehabilitation aspect of this, I hope to instill in children and adults a love, respect, and appreciation of our wild places so that they, and future generations, will actively take care of our planet and its inhabitants.
My son, Joseph, is a K-12 alumnus of our District. He's since graduated from college with a degree in Journalism. He worked three years for a San Francisco newspaper, and is now working for a non-profit agency that focuses on saving the earth's coral reefs.
My husband, his three siblings, and his father all graduated from John Swett High School after attending the local K - 12 schools. They all later graduated from UC Berkeley.
I am considered by some to be a "newcomer". I have lived in Crockett since 1975.
2. What do you like the best about being on the board? What do you like the least?
Answer: I especially enjoy working to support so many exceptionally talented students, teachers, and staff who make our District the unique and special place it is. I dislike the seemingly constant struggle to maintain our existing programs and services due to the drastically reduced revenue from the State of California.
3. What is your vision for our schools in the next couple of years? In ten years?
Answer: I hope to see our District's financial position stabilizing and improving substantially during the next two years, so that we can continue to attract and retain quality teachers, expand our academic programs, and increase our student achievement in all areas. In ten years I expect our District to be regarded as one of the best small school districts in California.
4. What do you see as the biggest problems currently facing the John Swett District? How can those problems be solved?
Answer: Like most school districts in California, the state of public school finances is our District's current biggest problem. We are struggling to meet all of our financial obligations, and stay afloat. We will continue to budget wisely with the funds we have, and look for even greater efficiencies. Ultimately, it is up to the legislators in the state of California to solve our public school funding shortcomings.
5. What qualifications will you bring to the board to solve those problems?
Answer: I bring twelve years of experience as a trustee of this District, plus the energy and perseverance of a concerned parent, teacher, and constituent. I've been involved with the J.S.U.S.D. since my son began kindergarten in 1989, and have volunteered in the District, at many levels, consistently since that time. I also spent several years working as a substitute teacher at Hillcrest Elementary while my son moved through grades K - 5. All of these experiences have given me an understanding of the issues, and the confidence to continue working on the problems facing this District with determination.
6. If you could make one major change to the school district, what would it be?
Answer: I would like to bring back the hundreds of District students who have left our schools for private schools, or for schools in other districts. Reversing this trend would be critically important to ensure our District's long-term viability.
7. There is generally a feeling in the community that there is little or no interaction between John Swett schools and the community, and very few people ever attend school board meetings. Do you feel school/community relationships should be improved? What can the school board do about this?
Answer: I believe the Board needs to establish student community service requirements at all of our campuses. We need to enhance our curriculum with more emphasis on local environmental concerns. Just as we want our local industries to be good neighbors, we need our students to be good neighbors, as well. This would translate to little District tolerance for littering, graffiti, cursing, and obnoxious behavior when students are off campus, and a general attitude of respect, by our students, for the property and people of our communities. It would be great if our students would willingly participate in community improvement activities such as town clean-ups, coastal cleanups, community fundraising events, etc. Interested community members can see current announcements, up-to-date calendars of upcoming school events, and Board meeting agendas and minutes on the John Swett Unified School District's website (jsusd.k12.ca.us). Community members are also welcome to email the Board members on this site.
8. What are your opinions about upgrading Carquinez Middle School? Should the Middle School remain in Crockett, or be moved to Rodeo?
Answer: I would love to see Carquinez School renovated and modernized with the same deliberate, respectful care that we are using to restore John Swett High School. The status of our middle school facilities will be one of the many critical issues our Board will discuss thoroughly during the coming year(s). It is my expectation that the Board will be given all of the relevant information necessary to move forward on this issue. Community members must be involved from the beginning. The Board will need input from all stakeholders. If it is decided to ask our voters to fund a size-able construction project, I expect to review only a proposal that has been well thought-out and completely researched, with ALL costs included, and all contingencies, including location, resolved before being placed on a ballot.
9. Why should voters select you to remain on the John Swett Board?
Answer: As a school board member, I am part of a team who decides issues that affect the lives and well-being of approximately 1700 students, as well as all District employees. I spend many hours preparing for each meeting, so I'll have a basic knowledge of the issues on the agenda. I've learned to defend my position with facts, and to consider all of the information, rules, policies, and the law when making decisions. I listen to all input, striving to be open minded when others express their (sometimes opposing) opinions. I weigh the facts and vote my conscience. I have always considered myself to be an independent thinker; I do not let pressure from others determine my vote. When I disagree with others, I attempt to see things from their perspective, and no matter how emotional the issue may be, I never let friendship leave my voice. I believe I serve for the right reasons, and govern for the common good.
10. And some personal information about you, such as your occupation, do you have children/relatives in the schools or working for the District, were you a John Swett student, what community activities are you involved in, and whatever else you'd like to add.
Response: I am a credentialed teacher with more than 30 years of experience in both the public and private sector. For the last several years I have been an educator with the Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek. One of the main aspects of my job for the past few years has been leading tours of wetlands to students of various ages in East Contra Costa County. I have also been a volunteer at the museum's Wildlife Hospital since 1985. I have hand-fed and raised many animals, mostly various species of birds, but also squirrels, raccoons, and opossums. To me, the most gratifying part of this work is being able to release these animals back into the wild when they are ready to be independent. In addition to the rescue and rehabilitation aspect of this, I hope to instill in children and adults a love, respect, and appreciation of our wild places so that they, and future generations, will actively take care of our planet and its inhabitants.
My son, Joseph, is a K-12 alumnus of our District. He's since graduated from college with a degree in Journalism. He worked three years for a San Francisco newspaper, and is now working for a non-profit agency that focuses on saving the earth's coral reefs.
My husband, his three siblings, and his father all graduated from John Swett High School after attending the local K - 12 schools. They all later graduated from UC Berkeley.
I am considered by some to be a "newcomer". I have lived in Crockett since 1975.
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