SCHOOL BOARD RECORD


Rally on the steps of the capitol to demand funding for schools


Annette on El Camino


Annette joins El Camino Day of the Teacher protest against state education funding cuts.

I am proud of my record at the School Board.

I have insisted on a prudent fiscal policy that maintains a reserve fund greater than the minimum required by State Law. I hold school administration accountable for accurate and complete financial records. Recent fiscal problems have been exacerbated by errors in accounting made by school administration at the local and county level. I appreciate the Grand Jury Report adding weight to my demands for better fiscal oversight.  

I support agendas that fully inform the public of the issues to be discussed. From the beginning, I have strongly supported televising School Board meetings. I opposed the new restrictions that limit Board access to information that is crucial to our ability to make informed decisions. 

I spoke out against the Superintendent's hiring of a financial consultant who served as the campaign treasurer for one of our newly elected Board Members. This new Board Member was the vote that reversed the previous Board decision not to renew the contract for our Superintendent. This Board Member was also a deciding vote in a 3 to 2 decision to give the Superintendent a 22% raise. The potential for conflict of interest is of great concern to me.

When I ran for School Board, I pledged my full support for public education and my opposition to charter schools and school voucher programs. I kept that promise when I voted against funding a home-schooling charter school. I also pledged to keep funding cuts as far away from the classroom and the children as possible. I kept that promise when I voted against giving a 22% raise to the School Superintendent when our teachers and classified staff who work directly with children have not received a raise in over five years. I voted against cutting staff who work with students in the computer labs. In both 2005 and 2006 I voted against laying-off teachers.

I have always been a strong advocate for lower class size that allows teachers and students to have a more productive learning environment.  Improving the English Language Learner (ELL) program has been one of my top priorities. I took time to become fully informed on the issues and I fully support the improved ELL program for the School District.