In 100 words or less, what about your background makes you a qualified school board member? As a parent in the district with a Ph.D. in education and with my position on the district’s financial oversight committee, I have the unique skills necessary to comprehend, prioritize and implement the detailed SMMUSD working budget and evaluate effective educational programming. My extensive, proven track record has resulted in favorable, long-standing relationships with the parents, teachers and leaders in both communities. I have been an active member of many district committees, the PTA Council, site PTAs, site sover-nance, and school funding campaigns. I have an excellent understanding of the challenges that our district faces, and the ability and reputation to make thoughtful decisions, find creative solutions and to carry out a plan of action.
In 300 words or less, a group of parents is staging an effort to secede Malibu schools from the school district. Do you think this would be a wise move? What are the possible upsides and downsides to this plan? As the only candidate from Malibu running for this seven-member board, one of the problems I’ve heard over and over again as I campaign throughout our two cities is that the school board needs to communicate better and more frequently with those it serves. Our students, parents, teachers and others involved in public education need to have more contact and a two-way dialogue with those who create school policy. I believe that as a district we are committed to the education of all students in both cities. However, not all of the parents in Malibu share this view. Efforts to separate the district are in the preliminary stages and years away. It is too early to comment on whether or not this idea is educationally sound, financially viable and beneficial to all students. I only favor the creation of a separate district if it can be proven that it is beneficial to the students, teachers and citizens of both communities. Regardless of whether or when Malibu separates from Santa Monica schools, we have a responsibility to provide a top-notch, rigorous education to every child in both of our cities. As a school board member, this will be my top priority.
It is difficult for the Malibu community to become involved on district committees, the Education Foundation or PTA Council due to the distance between the cities. Therefore, Malibu residents feel disenfranchised from the district and school board decisions. However, as one who has been actively involved at the district level for a number of years, I feel that the board does attempt to serve the needs of the Malibu students. It is imperative to have Malibu representation on the board to ensure that this practice continues. I have been a dedicated advocate for all children in the district while maintaining an excellent relationship with the citizens of Malibu. If I am elected, I pledge to continue to unite our communities around the common goal of providing the best education for all students in the district.
In 300 words or less, the school board recently approved a policy that requires wealthy schools to share a portion of their cash donations with poorer schools. Where did you stand on this controversial issue? How will you address inequalities with local schools? My vision has always been comprehensive and inclusive, seeking to ensure the success of all students. I am supportive of the gift policy and view it as an opportunity for collaborative fundraising and creation of an awareness of the differences in educational opportunities that exist between our school sites. As a past PTA president and fundraising chairperson, I am acutely aware of the pressure that parent volunteers face attempting to raise adequate funds to provide basic educational necessities for our students. We are all faced with the daunting task of providing our children with an excellent education in a state that does not adequately fund their educational needs For the past few years, I have worked closely with parent and community volunteers from each of the schools within the district. It is my experience that all of our parents work tirelessly to improve the education of the children in the district. Yet, many of our schools have little chance of improving the size of the contributions they receive from the parents at their schools or businesses in their neighborhoods. This is an issue of demographics, not effort. We have the talent and the resources to create a culture of giving that will ensure equal opportunities for all children in the district. I continue to believe that the goal of these funds should be to close the achievement gap through district-wide targeted intervention programs. As an advocate for excellent public education, my top priority will be to provide each child with access and opportunity for an outstanding education.
In 300 words or less, do you think the school district handles at-risk youth properly? And do you think Olympic High School, the district’s alternative high school, needs attention? In what way? I believe that our Santa Monica- Malibu school district has the ability to succeed with all of our children — those who have special needs, those who are on track and those who are gifted. We have the ability to stop talking about closing the achievement gap and to actually close it. To accomplish this, we must create, implement and evaluate programs and retain them based on their success.
I am running for the school board because I have the experience to make this evaluation process work. While earning my Ph.D. in education, I focused on examining factors that affect achievement in at-risk youth. Every child in the district has the opportunity to succeed given the proper educational tools. At Olympic High School, specifically, we have the opportunity to serve at-risk students in a smaller, more intimate setting and help them to attain their educational goals. In order to accomplish this, we must set high standards for our students and provide the proper support to help them to be successful. We can accomplish this by making sure that our teachers receive the necessary training, that we solidify the home-school relationship and include parents as partners in education, and that we provide the proper counseling, intervention and tutoring services to support at-risk students throughout their academic careers. These same principles of diagnosis, intervention and support apply to the district’s other two high schools as well.
Do you support fast food and/or junk food being sold at local schools? Why or why not? Although I am a strong supporter of individual choice and the parents’ right to make nutritional choices for their child, I believe that we are doing our students a disservice by providing an overwhelming amount of junk food in our cafeterias. Poor nutrition leads to poor concentration which can affect classroom learning. It may also result in obesity and all of the associated health risks. If we are a district that promotes the welfare of the student physically and mentally, and encourages students to make good choices in every aspect of their lives, then we should not send conflicting messages by tempting them with so many unhealthy options. As a parent, I was thrilled to notice that some of the vending machines at school sites had been replaced recently by healthier options, although my eighth grader continues to lament the removal of the soda machines.
In our food services department, we have the responsibility to provide a nutritious lunch to all students. For our least advantaged students, those on free or reduced lunch, this may be their only opportunity each day to receive a complete and balanced meal. It is essential that we offer them nutritious options. Students who are healthy physically are better able to perform academically.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 28, 2004. Read the original PDF.