2007 CSBA officer candidates

Following are the candidates put forward by CSBA’s Nominating Committee for 2007 President-elect and Vice President of the California School Boards Association. Election of officers takes place during the Nov. 29 CSBA Delegate Assembly meeting in San Diego. Statements appear exactly as received by CSBA.

Paula Campbell

President-elect
Nevada City School District

Garden writers frequently quote Alexander Pope who wrote “Consult the genius of the place in all”. As a school board member, Pope reminds me to keep the needs and aspirations of students, their potential, energy, and spirit in the forefront of educational decision making. To best understand what we need, we must remember who we are and what we have. This is as true on the state level as it is on the local level.

Public education has faced difficult times in the past but has never before today made the bold commitment of finding an educational path for every student. We do this publicly and without hesitation. CSBA has been and will be instrumental in supporting our school boards and educational community in making this a reality and in finding the necessary resources. CSBA has the knowledge, experience, and passion of the committed membership and staff necessary to make certain that policy decisions on both the local and state level are informed more by what is important for students than by what is wanted by adults.

I bring 15 years experience as a school board member, involvement on the board of CSBA, Delegate Assembly, many CSBA committees, and a year as Vice President. I am committed to serving the interests of our students and school boards and ask for your support.

Frank Pugh

Vice President
Santa Rosa City Schools

The public schools of tomorrow depend upon the leadership of CSBA today. The well-being of this state depends upon fully funding a pathway for every child’s success.

After my election to the Delegate Assembly in 1993, I then joined the Board of Directors in 2000 representing Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties.

I am dedicated to the mission of CSBA and I am committed to the vital role that local governance brings to the education of our children. I am confident that my tenure as a member of the Delegate Assembly and Board of Directors, my seventeen years as a school board member, and my experience as a community college instructor has prepared me well to seek the office of Vice President of CSBA.

In the final analysis, whether it is our Adequacy Campaign or NCLB, CSBA must continue to be the unquestioned source of knowledge, the voice of reason, the protector of local governance and the undisputed leader on all issues impacting our local schools.

It would be an honor to serve you as Vice President of CSBA and to use my knowledge, expertise and training to achieve our common vision for the benefit of our students, public schools and the maintenance of local governance.

With your support and confidence, I will give you my time, energy, and commitment to continue the building of an inclusive organization and to ensure that the future of all children are driven by their aspirations and not bound by their circumstances.

Thank you.

Anne E. White

Vice President
Livermore Valley Joint USD

All trustees have a passion for public education, children and their future. No other elected policy makers are focused on providing opportunities to children and removing barriers to their success. Our task is both to grow good citizens and also to prepare young adults for careers. The well-being of our graduates, the economic vitality of our state and the preservation of our democracy depend on each of us doing his job effectively. CSBA is our partner!

CSBA offers us training to become skilled in governance and knowledgeable in education. CSBA provides analysis and advocacy so we can speak with one voice to focus other policy makers on what is best for all California children. Through CSBA we join with like-minded groups to increase our impact.

As a 17-year trustee in Livermore, a low-wealth, suburban, declining enrollment district of 13,200, I will bring a broad range of experience to CSBA’s leadership. A Delegate since 2000, I chaired the Nominating Committee in 2005. I know issues from special education preschool to CAHSEE and Career Education. Facing declining funding, I have voted to eliminate programs that are good for children. Though making hard choices is always difficult, I can set priorities and come to a decision.

I have sharpened my problem solving and collaboration skills. I am an enthusiastic, focused, thoughtful leader and I will concentrate my efforts and energies on enhancing education for all of California’s children. We simply must do it right, more often, in more places, for more children!