As a candidate for the District 2, Pasco County School Board, I make the commitment to use my skills, knowledge, energy, and dedication to best serve the students, parents, teachers, and residents of Pasco County.

As a school board member I will work hard on the district’s vision to create a community which works together so all Pasco County students will reach their highest potential. I feel my business knowledge, skills, and proven record of success in facilitating strong business partnerships with our school district makes me an outstanding candidate to serve as a member of the Pasco County School Board.

We must be relentless in our efforts to challenge educators, businesses, governmental partners, and parents to help our students connect what they are learning in school, to careers that will benefit them in the future.

I believe that my first hand knowledge of how the school district operates and my long-standing involvement in our schools and community, which I personally consider an investment in the future of Pasco County, proves my dedication to making our community a better place to live, learn, work, and play. My commitment to our Pasco school system started decades ago, having served in a variety of roles, including mentoring, evaluator for the district, and sponsor of several Student of the Month programs. I’ve been on School Advisory Councils at both the elementary and middle school grade levels. I’m also proud that I was a charter member of the Denham Dad’s Club at Denham Oaks Elementary. I helped facilitate the countywide implementation of the Great American Teach-in, for Pasco County. In addition, I have served on the Business & Industry Advisory Council (BIAC); a collaborative effort with the Pasco County School District, Hernando County School District, and Pasco-Hernando Community College, for over 18 years.

I believe that we are very fortunate to have an exceptional team of dedicated and qualified educators and support staff in the Pasco County School District. The board must continue to provide quality leadership that supports the type of atmosphere in which children are encouraged to stay in school, to further their education, and, ultimately, to become productive citizens. This type of empowerment will not only aid in recruitment of exceptional employees to meet our future staffing needs, but will also help us retain the quality teachers we currently employ.

We must plan for the challenges associated with anticipated growth of the school district, have adequate school supplies, a positive learning environment, and ensure we have the safest schools possible for all our children.

	I know you will be concerned when I tell you that childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions here in our country. By 2010, 20% of U.S. children are expected to be obese, increasing their danger of suffering from heart disease as adults. But we have a chance to counteract this problem … and I hope you will lend your help today. Please join me in support of the FIT Kids Act, which has been introduced in Congress to support quality physical education in public schools. This legislation can make a real difference in the quality of our kids’ lives – now and in the future. Click to join in the American Heart Association’s efforts to support the FIT Kids Act. www.fitkidsact.org.  I urge you to take part… this is a quick, simple way you can make an invaluable difference for generations of American children. Thanks!