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My Goals My top prioritiy is that our schools provide all students with the skills and knowledge they need to achieve their dreams. Be it higher education, a trade, or a combination of the two, the education they get in high school is a critical stepping stone along that path. Address the root causes of high school dropout. According to the California Department of Education, the estimated dropout rates at Arcata and McKinleyville High Schools are relatively low: 6.5% at Arcata High and 8.9% at McKinleyville. The dropout rates for special education students, however, are four times that of the schools as a whole. 24.3% of special education students at Arcata High leave school before graduating; 40%, at McKinleyville. Particularly disturbing is the dropout rate for boys in special education at McKinleyville. Two out of three of the boys drop out before graduation! The impact of school dropout on society cannot be underestimated. In the August 31 2009 issue of theTimes-Standard, syndicated columnist Thomas D. Elias rated school dropouts as "California's biggest crisis." He quotes CA State Superintendent Jack O'Connell: "Over a lifetime," O'Connell said, "dropouts have lower earnings, worse health, higher rates of incarceration, a host of problems." O'Connell stressed the importance of what he called "the new three Rs. We need to improve our rigor, relevance, and relationships with our students." In order to be effective, we need to find out why our students are leaving school. I would like engage Master's candidates at Humboldt State University in researching the root causes. With greater insight and understanding, we can develop effective interventions. Create community-based apprenticeship programs. Although there is limited research on effective intervention programs for students at risk of dropping out, one consistent thread is the need for relevancy in education. This is true for for all students. Northern Humboldt High Schools have outstanding vocational education programs, yet we still have a shortage in Humboldt County of skilled youth, especially in the trades. I would like to expand vocational education opportunities for all students by creating a network of community-based apprenticeship programs in a wide variety of occupations. Support ongoing improvement of the nutritional quality of school meals. Ten years ago, I heard an interview on the radio with Dr, Stephen Schoenthaler, a sociology professor at California State University, Stanislaus. He talked about his research on the effects of nutrition on behavior and learning in youth. The results were dramatic. Nutritious meals lowered the incidence of violent and anti-social behavior by as much as 50%. Daily supplements in New York's City Schools raised IQ scores by an average of 16 points over the course of a school year. The new kitchen at Arcata High is providing meals for both Arcata and McKinleyville High Schools, with fruit and green salads, soups, and entrees. We are off to a great start. For too many of our students, the school lunch is the most most nutritious meal of their day. I want to help continue to improve the nutritional quality of the meals we serve our students. Facilitate participation in the local Farm to School program coordinated by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers. The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is expanding its Farm to School program. With the new kitchen, our District is in a perfect position to participate in purchasing fresh organic produce from local farmers. Arcata High science teacher Shannon Morago just won a $6000 grant to expand Six Rivers Charter School garden and grow produce for the kitchen. CAFF's Farm to School program would be able to supply local farm products while the garden is getting going, then supplement as it becomes productive. Increase open communication among teachers, parents, administration, and the broader community. Open, honest, and responsive communication is essential to realizing all of these goals. By working together, we can create an environment of trust and respect in which our children can thrive. Community is relationship; caring, supportive relationships make healthy communities.

My Goals

My top prioritiy is that our schools provide all students with the skills and knowledge they need to achieve their dreams. Be it higher education, a trade, or a combination of the two, the education they get in high school is a critical stepping stone along that path.

Address the root causes of high school dropout.

According to the California Department of Education, the estimated dropout rates at Arcata and McKinleyville High Schools are relatively low: 6.5% at Arcata High and 8.9% at McKinleyville. The dropout rates for special education students, however, are four times that of the schools as a whole. 24.3% of special education students at Arcata High leave school before graduating; 40%, at McKinleyville. Particularly disturbing is the dropout rate for boys in special education at McKinleyville. Two out of three of the boys drop out before graduation!

The impact of school dropout on society cannot be underestimated. In the August 31 2009 issue of theTimes-Standard, syndicated columnist Thomas D. Elias rated school dropouts as "California's biggest crisis." He quotes CA State Superintendent Jack O'Connell: "Over a lifetime," O'Connell said, "dropouts have lower earnings, worse health, higher rates of incarceration, a host of problems." O'Connell stressed the importance of what he called "the new three Rs. We need to improve our rigor, relevance, and relationships with our students."

In order to be effective, we need to find out why our students are leaving school. I would like engage Master's candidates at Humboldt State University in researching the root causes. With greater insight and understanding, we can develop effective interventions.

Create community-based apprenticeship programs.

Although there is limited research on effective intervention programs for students at risk of dropping out, one consistent thread is the need for relevancy in education. This is true for for all students. Northern Humboldt High Schools have outstanding vocational education programs, yet we still have a shortage in Humboldt County of skilled youth, especially in the trades. I would like to expand vocational education opportunities for all students by creating a network of community-based apprenticeship programs in a wide variety of occupations.

Support ongoing improvement of the nutritional quality of school meals.

Ten years ago, I heard an interview on the radio with Dr, Stephen Schoenthaler, a sociology professor at California State University, Stanislaus. He talked about his research on the effects of nutrition on behavior and learning in youth. The results were dramatic. Nutritious meals lowered the incidence of violent and anti-social behavior by as much as 50%. Daily supplements in New York's City Schools raised IQ scores by an average of 16 points over the course of a school year.

The new kitchen at Arcata High is providing meals for both Arcata and McKinleyville High Schools, with fruit and green salads, soups, and entrees. We are off to a great start. For too many of our students, the school lunch is the most most nutritious meal of their day. I want to help continue to improve the nutritional quality of the meals we serve our students.

Facilitate participation in the local Farm to School program coordinated by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers.

The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is expanding its Farm to School program. With the new kitchen, our District is in a perfect position to participate in purchasing fresh organic produce from local farmers.

Arcata High science teacher Shannon Morago just won a $6000 grant to expand Six Rivers Charter School garden and grow produce for the kitchen. CAFF's Farm to School program would be able to supply local farm products while the garden is getting going, then supplement as it becomes productive.

Increase open communication among teachers, parents, administration, and the broader community.

Open, honest, and responsive communication is essential to realizing all of these goals. By working together, we can create an environment of trust and respect in which our children can thrive. Community is relationship; caring, supportive relationships make healthy communities.