Stanislaus Union is already one of the best school districts in Stanislaus County, and it is routinely rated as the second highest-performing district in the area. However, we have seen the fallout that prolonged distance learning has had on our students over the past few years. We need to focus on recovering from the learning loss and making sure our students don’t fall behind as they continue their educational journey.

There is a vast gap in achievement between various school sites in our district. We need to focus on improving performance across the district to ensure all students, no matter which neighborhood they live in, are prepared when they arrive at Prescott Junior High and move onto high school in Modesto City Schools.

We need to continue to invest resources in supporting our district’s underserved students, including English language learners and socioeconomically disadvantaged students, to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to succeed.

As a Board Member, I will ensure accountability and transparency in the district’s fiscal resources and fight to guarantee that every dollar spent puts kids first. We must make sure that we spend taxpayer dollars in the most effective, responsible way possible.

The voters have placed their trust in our Governing Board and District through the passage of Measure Y. We must strive to maximize local dollars and match our contributions with matching contributions from the State of California and other partners. The Board should place an emphasis on bringing money into our local community, creating local jobs and investing in our students, teachers and community as a whole.

Using the financial resources available, we must invest in our facilities, technology, and resources to provide our students with dynamic learning environments that evolve to keep students competitive, year after year. By providing the best tools to our teachers and classified staff, we can ensure the highest possible quality of education for all children in our district.

California is in the midst of a massive teacher and substitute teacher shortage. Our district must find ways to attract and retain talent to make sure our children are receiving a quality education. We must pressure our state and federal leaders to place a priority on tackling issues that arise and impact all local school districts.

We must provide our students with a competitive edge in the workplace of tomorrow. The board should continue to promote an investment in STEAM education for all of our students.

Stanislaus Union should encourage professional growth in all our staff. The Board should place an emphasis on professional development and growth. We must provide all our staff, credentialed and classified, with opportunities to further their own learning to bring back additional skills and insight to our district.