1) Keeping schools and communities a safe place for learning.

Children want to learn.  We owe it to them to give them a safe place to learn.

• We should devote more effort and funding toward programs that keep our schools safe and free on gangs.
• In the wake of international health epidemics that have affected our community, the need has never been greater for a well-funded school nurse program.

 2) Maximizing available government money for our schools by maximizing attendance.

• When our kids miss school, they lose an education and our schools lose money.
• When our kids drop out, they become a further burden on society.
• The lost revenue from absenteeism and drop-outs could fund over 100 teachers.

 3) Helping teachers to help our children. 

In times of budget crisis, it is all the more important to use every available dollar wisely.

We need to support our teachers and classified employees as they educate our children. As cuts are needed, great care should be taken to ensure these cuts occur as far away from the classroom as possible.

• In tough times, we need to foster community and business partnerships. For example, when the arts are suffering, local music teachers and restaurants have picked up the slack by offering their services and facilities to the community.  We need to seek out more of these partnerships. 

4) Preparing every student for a future after high school graduation. 

Every student deserves an opportunity to go on to college and get at least a four-year degree. We must make sure every student graduates with both the skills to get into college, and the drive to further his or her education.

• At the same time, we must continue to prepare our students to succeed in our community, with thorough vocational, agricultural, and business training. In tough economic times, people with marketable skills and good business sense have a leg up in the job market: Let's do everything we can to prepare our children to become marketable adults.