Part 1:Meet the Glendale Unified School District Board of Education Candidates

To better acquaint all Crescenta Valley registered voters with the Glendale Unified School District Board of Education candidates for which they can vote in the April 3 election, the Crescenta Valley Sun presented all candidates with questions concerning the district's schools.

Businessman/ParentWhat do you think is the primary challenge for the district?Although the District faces declining enrollment, funding, and the current labor issues, I feel the biggest challenge is developing a compelling long-term vision for our schools that strategically plans to meet the educational needs of our students today and into the future. I believe that the board's primary function is to work with our parents, teachers, students, the superintendent, and the community to think big and dream big for the sake of our children. We need to have a vision for what a graduate of Glendale schools looks like and is capable of; we need to have a vision for how the district communicates and integrates with our parent, students, and community; we need to have a vision that encourages the development of well-rounded students who are involved in the arts and physical activity. It's my intent to bring Big Vision and then work hard to make it happen.

What experience can you bring to the board?

I bring two important things to the board: 20+ years of business management experience and 20+ years of hands-on experience with our children and youth. I am Senior Vice President of a software development company where I manage all day-to-day operations. I'm accustomed to making hard decisions and implementing our strategic plans. Over the years I have worked directly with kids as a Little League and AYSO soccer coach; I also have been in youth leadership and teach Sunday school to 5th/6th graders. I feel the board needs a good balance of career educators, involved parents, and savvy business people, as well as members who know and understand our children and youth culture. I feel that I bring bus-loads of these experiences.

Do you have, or have you had, any children in the district?

My wife and I have four children who are working their way through Glendale schools. Our eldest son graduated from CV last year; our eldest daughter is a sophomore at CV; our younger son is a 7th grader at Rosemont; our younger daughter is a 5th grader at Fremont.