A letter from the candidate...

Dear Brea Voter,

For a dozen years I’ve listened hard, spoken up and stood strong for the schools of Brea.

Now I’d like nothing better than to do it all over again.

Education always has been deeply important to me. I loved school, became a teacher, and moved to Brea (with my husband and young family) because our children’s education mattered to us so much.

We’ve never regretted that choice.

Since 1985, as a classroom volunteer, PTA leader and BOUSD board member, it’s been my privilege to help make the good schools of Brea even better. Working side by side with staff, students and parents, I’ve seen curriculum and instruction improve, test scores rise, aging campuses again become comfortable, opportunities in academics, the arts and athletics expand, and thousands of students graduate, go out into the world and do well.

There’s a great deal to be proud of when it comes to Brea’s schools: strong academic emphasis, amazing athletic accomplishments, growing and successful arts programs, a nearly non-existent drop-out rate, and site and district staff that oversee this and more with skill and talent and heart.

I believe in the schools of Brea.

But I also believe they can be better---and always should strive toward this goal.

Fiscally, this means that we must spend every dollar wisely, focusing resources on student learning and ensuring that competitive salaries allow us to hire and retain the best staff.

Structurally, this means that all students and staff must have safe, comfortable, welcoming places to learn and work, and that the tools needed to do these tasks well is available. Completed modernization, planned high school expansion and a new eastside school should solve our short-term space issues, but ongoing building updates still will be needed, and keeping current with technology is always a continuing focus.

Academically, this means doing a better job of truly challenging and supporting all students, ensuring that basic skills are learned early, that reading, writing and critical thinking are continually emphasized, that teachers have time to talk, share and plan together, that parents are supported as learning partners, and that all work together for kids.

Administratively, this means ensuring that Brea’s schools are steered by capable and caring leaders who understand what quality is---and know how to inspire all to pursue it.

These are the continuing goals I believe in for Brea’s schools, and these are the things I will work hard for, should you return me to office this November.

Many thanks in advance for your support!

Teresa