During the time that I was considering running for the open board position to represent District 5 on the Romoland School District Board of Trustees, I made the decision that my sole interest…and sole “plank” of any campaign that I might run…be a commitment to what the officeholder should be and should do, namely represent the voices of ALL constituents of the community that I will represent. I believe I communicated that thought in the first line of my candidate statement filed with Riverside County Registrar of Voters, to wit (available here): “As a candidate for Romoland School District Governing Board Member for Trustee Area 5, I am running for this office to represent ALL stakeholders. First and foremost, students and parents, but in addition, all of those that are charged with contributing to the success of our students: Teachers, classified personnel, administrators, and managers.”

To date, I believe that single purpose, and single message, is now resonating throughout our community. Last week’s endorsement of both the Romoland Teachers Association (RTA) and the California School Employees Association Chapter 499 (CSEA Local 499) means that I now have the vote of confidence of the two organizations that represent more than 94% of the employees of the Romoland School District. Coupled with these endorsements, I continue to receive daily messages from constituents, primarily parents, regarding items of interest to them. My single commitment is to be a representative of all voices: Students, parents, teachers, classified personnel, administrators, and managers. No more, no less.

During some recent conversations with constituents, I was asked about how familiar I might be with the challenges that some students face because one or both parents are serving in the military. So, I thought it might be appropriate to give you some idea of my life experience in this area.

I was raised as a Marine Corps brat. Spent three formative years on O’ahu while my father served in Vietnam. Moved somewhat frequently. I spent eight years as a Navy wife. Enlisted. Started on the day of my marriage. Of our five children, three were born during that time. We had the really good fortune of never having to deal with a deployment, as my husband was stationed aboard U.S.S Merrill (DD-976), which was taken out of the normal deployment rotation in order to be the test platform of the surface-launched version of the Tomahawk Cruise Missile. We separated from military service after two terms as the prospects of deployment loomed and we had three little ones. So many great experiences. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?

So, do I understand what students and spouses might be dealing with at home? Absolutely. Perhaps there is something we might do together to nurture the students that deal with this.