2012 CSBA officer candidates - Vice President
Published: October 22, 2012
Following are the statements from the candidates for Vice President. The statements appear exactly as they were received by CSBA:
Jesús Holguín
Moreno Valley Unified School District
As Vice President of CSBA, I am committed to working with Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Delegate Assembly, and staff, towards reaching the Association’s goal and continue advocating for the return of an adequate educational system to our State, where every student has full access to a sound, safe, well-rounded education allowing them to succeed academically and socially to become better productive members of society.
As employee of the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools for 27 years I have extensive experience in school finance, along with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration – Accounting, and a Certificate in Human Resources Management from CSU, San Bernardino. I will utilize my education and experience during conversations with legislators and stakeholders about the future funding for our educational system.
As resident of my community for 27 years, 17 years of school and district level parental and community involvement, and experience translating during board meetings for Spanish-speaking audience, I understand the educational needs in my community; some are common to many others around the state. I will seek support from CSBA to look into those needs and to sponsors appropriate legislation that would assist in addressing them.
I will continue advocating, on behalf of our students, for adequate state and federal funding for our educational system, for the benefit of all of our students. I will promote opportunities for students to obtain a well-rounded education, and look for solutions to close the achievement gap and increase the graduation rate in our state.
Laura Rich
Menlo Park City School District
A strong community supports and educates its children. I joined my school board in 1998 because I wanted our community to be proud of the education it offered our children. It saddens me that our state has lost the luster and pride we once had in our schools. CSBA needs to remind our governor, our legislators and our electorate about the importance of educating every child. I would love the opportunity to speak up for all our children and to remind everyone why they must reinvest and reaffirm their support in our schools and our students.
After 14 years on my local board, nine years as a delegate and three years on the Board of Directors, I have gained a clear understanding of the challenges faced by both our members and our organization. I have seen great teaching and great learning, and we need to position CSBA to help share those best practices to every district so we can make sure that all our children succeed. While we must continue to advocate for more resources, we must also learn from CSBA and from each other on how best to utilize the slender resources that we have. There are many challenges in front of our schools, but this is a time when there are also great opportunities.
As Vice President of CSBA, I would be honored to devote myself to the organization to make sure that all members are empowered to improve the education we offer to all our children.
Emma Turner
La Mesa Spring Valley School District
Experienced CSBA board of director, CSBA committee member, local school board member, NSBA National Black Caucus Pacific Region Director and public school volunteer, I have dedicated more than 30 years to public education.
As a retired United States Navy JAG officer, I served my country for 27 years and continue to serve in education now. I am a role model for public education, having successfully completed preK-12, undergraduate and graduate degrees, including a doctorate, at mostly public education institutions.
I want to help our association set the California education agenda, by offering innovative solutions to education reform for school finance, eliminating the achievement gap, assessment based on growth, etc. I will collaborate with the delegate assembly and board of directors to ensure CSBA’s policies reflect the majority views of these two vital governance groups.
I support efforts to ensure that our district members receive services they need to govern locally in the most efficient and effective manner. I support exploration of revenue options which are not dependent on the eroding and volatile budgets of member districts.
I will help school board governance teams and voters restore California to its position as the best public education system in the country, instead of the current position at the bottom.
Vote for the candidate who brings rich and diverse experiences to the position, as a Navy prosecutor, college professor, psychologist and, most importantly, life-long advocate for quality education of all children.
It’s been an honor to serve, and I ask for your vote.