Time and time again, all I see from the incumbents in this School Board race are press releases, responses submitted as a team, and rhetoric about what has been done in the past. I am not sure exactly how each feels about any one issue, haven’t been able to discern how one is any different from the other, and have a sense that they do only what the other endorses. Is that really what we want for the next four years in Los Alamitos Unified? A School Board that views the issues through exactly the same lens? A School Board so lock-step and ingrained that the status quo rules, whether working or not. A School Board where nothing new or innovative is introduced, brought to the cabinet, or used to challenge the accepted practices?
I appreciate all the current School Board has accomplished, as my own children have been the recipients of the progress. However I still see gaps, because my own children, unfortunately, have been the recipients of the status quo, as well. Regardless the rhetoric of success, don’t let the statistics blind the reality. We have work to do, and it makes me wonder: What have you done for me lately?
In the eighth grade, I had Mr. Howard for science. One of his bulletin boards was decorated with a turtle and this line: “Always wonder why.” I don’t know exactly why he chose a turtle to impart these impactful words, but the turtle did just that and continues to impact my life on a daily basis.
What does this turtle from 30+ years ago mean for Los Alamitos Unified School District and my race for a School Board seat? It means I don’t claim to have all the answers or be the expert. What it means is I have lots of questions that need to be asked and deserve a discussion:
I could go on and on ... but I won't.
My platform since day one has been based on three key issues: Curriculum. Safety. Equity. I am immersed in these issues on a daily basis as a classroom teacher, and I see my role on the Board of Education in Los Alamitos as one of challenging what has been business as usual - questioning the status quo. Our district has had lots of success; however, it’s important to recognize and embrace its challenges and gaps so we can continue to build a great district that remembers we do it all for our kids.
Elect the same – expect the same.
Elect the new – and let the questions uncover our potential.
I appreciate all the current School Board has accomplished, as my own children have been the recipients of the progress. However I still see gaps, because my own children, unfortunately, have been the recipients of the status quo, as well. Regardless the rhetoric of success, don’t let the statistics blind the reality. We have work to do, and it makes me wonder: What have you done for me lately?
In the eighth grade, I had Mr. Howard for science. One of his bulletin boards was decorated with a turtle and this line: “Always wonder why.” I don’t know exactly why he chose a turtle to impart these impactful words, but the turtle did just that and continues to impact my life on a daily basis.
What does this turtle from 30+ years ago mean for Los Alamitos Unified School District and my race for a School Board seat? It means I don’t claim to have all the answers or be the expert. What it means is I have lots of questions that need to be asked and deserve a discussion:
- Of the 10,000 students in our district, why are almost 35% of them inter-district transfers?
- What is the district doing to increase the rigor in the classroom?
- What is the plan for Common Core implementation in ELA, mathematics, and technical subjects?
- How is LAEF spending our money, and what percentage of our donations is spent on administrative salaries and fees?
- How is the Board involving the community in its decisions?
- Why do we continue to hire from within for cabinet-level positions, perpetuating the status quo without regard for innovation and fresh eyes?
- Are we ready for an on-campus shooting? Who is responsible for my children in an emergency? What is the district’s communication plan?
- Even though “recruiting” in sports in not allowed, why do I keep hearing stories about how this is happening with our district sports’ teams?
- Are school uniforms something our district families want to discuss?
- Why are most of the emails I receive from the district and our district schools about fundraising and asking for money?
- Where does all the money go?
- How are our classrooms differentiating instruction for children of all academic achievement levels?
- What can be done about the traffic in Rossmoor immediately?
- Why did we hire 80 new employees for this school year when salaries are our district’s biggest expense?
- Why are we not doing more writing in the classroom?
- Why are we still graduating 44% of our students without having taken an AP course and 28% of our students not having completed A-G requirements?
- What are we doing about the challenges with maintaining the grass at Oak's field? How much money is spent with each fix?
- How are we supporting our local, community sports programs with field space and facilities?
I could go on and on ... but I won't.
My platform since day one has been based on three key issues: Curriculum. Safety. Equity. I am immersed in these issues on a daily basis as a classroom teacher, and I see my role on the Board of Education in Los Alamitos as one of challenging what has been business as usual - questioning the status quo. Our district has had lots of success; however, it’s important to recognize and embrace its challenges and gaps so we can continue to build a great district that remembers we do it all for our kids.
Elect the same – expect the same.
Elect the new – and let the questions uncover our potential.
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