By Richard Bammer, The Reporter, Vacaville, Calif. The Tribune Content Agency
Editor's note: The following is a Vacaville Unified School District governing board candidate profile and her responses, with some editing for punctuation, spelling, clarity and space, to questions submitted by The Reporter.
Who
Incumbent Vacaville Unified School District trustee Lindsay Kelly, 45, a senior casualty claims specialist for an insurance company operating in the California agribusiness sector; married mother of three, two sons and a daughter; earned a bachelor's of science degree in biology with an emphasis in evolution and ecology from UC Davis, and have nearly completed coursework to earn a master's degree in governance through the California School Boards Association.
Why are you seeking reelection to the Trustee Area 4 seat?
I ran for this office last year when the voters of Vacaville called for a special election to fill a vacancy on the board created by a midterm departure of the board member in my trustee area. I saw an opportunity to make a positive impact for students and families.
In the few years immediately prior to seeking election, my family struggled to get the supports put in place that would have helped one of our children to be successful and experienced the devastating impact that had on our child's academic performance and mental health. It was heartbreaking. If I could help other families navigate those challenges or avoid them altogether, I felt compelled to do so.
I understood that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work to educate all kids and that the school board's vision, mission, and decisions needed to reflect that. I wanted to ensure that the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) that was approved earlier this year, which outlines the district's plans to meet its goals over a three-year period, reflected the needs and concerns of our students, parents, and the community.
I believe that the diversity of thought and experience that I bring to the board has a significant positive impact on the operation of the board, the success of our students and our greater community and would be honored to be reelected to continue the important work that I've begun.
If reelected, what has prepared you to continue to serve for another term?
Over my 25-year career as a claims professional, including more than 20 years of litigation experience, I have extensive experience investigating complex matters, seeking out, obtaining and analyzing information, directing the actions of subject matter experts and legal professionals and managing significant claims reserves and payments. I have learned how to collaborate well with others, to respectfully and effectively communicate my position, share facts and information supporting positions taken by me, and to consider new information, legal arguments, and/or differing perspectives to reach agreements in the most difficult cases.
Among other things during my tenure on the board I was involved in the development and approval of the three-year LCAP; voted to approve a two-year collective bargaining unit with the Vacaville Teachers Association and have been diligently working to reach an agreement with the district's classified employees; provided input and recommendations related to the district's facilities needs, real estate needs and around the parameters for the general obligation bond, Measure E.
Also, I have reviewed the proposed material revision to the Kairos Public Schools charter, sought out information relevant to the duties and obligations of the district relative to the proposed revision and ultimately voted for the approval of the material revision and the related memorandum of understanding, which passed by a single vote, paving the way for Kairos to open its hybrid-model high school this year, while ensuring guardrails are in place to ensure minimal impact to the district.
As a district, we moved leagues and added two new sports for our students; implemented a districtwide signage project to assist first responders should they need to navigate our campuses, installed security cameras; approved the sixth- grade music academy at Vaca Pena Middle School; approved new curriculum and assessment tools for early literacy and after-school contracts for programs at every elementary school; significantly decreased the number of vacancies among our paraeducators, creating safer classrooms for students and our staff, although there are still many vacancies to be filled, from paraeducators and bus drivers to student monitors and speech and language pathologists.
What changes, if any, would you like to see the VUSD board pursue?
Hiring, training and retention of staff are critical issues that we need to focus on. With adequate staffing of employees who are well-trained and feel appreciated, VUSD can more effectively serve its students. We need to focus our efforts on attracting, training and retaining our classified and certificated employees and decrease reliance on contracted vendors.
What are the major issues facing the district?
Finance. VUSD is deficit spending. Not a little, but a lot. Some of the spending is intentional; some funds have been received from various funding sources that are one-time funds that need to be spent purposefully in specific areas within a specified timeframe or the district would have to give it back.
Unlike many California districts, VUSD's enrollment is increasing - and, with the construction of new homes, our enrollment numbers will continue to increase. Increased enrollment and already overcrowded elementary schools translates to a need for a new school.
Of those issues, what do you propose to do about them?
Addressing the staffing issue will require a blend of creativity and effective strategizing. It is no secret that teachers are in short supply all around. I have heard speech and language educators referred to as unicorns and school nurses are close behind as far as their scarcity. But it isn't just certificated staff - it's student monitors, bus drivers, paraeducators, custodians and the list goes on.
As far as the budgetary issue is concerned, I believe that improved recruitment, hiring, training and retention will help a lot, but those are returns that will take years in some cases to realize.
As an individual, what personal qualities do you believe you bring to the table?
I bring a strong commitment to student success and parent empowerment, a calm temperament, an open mind, a quarter century of professional experience conducting investigations, analyzing a variety of medical and financial records, expert reports, jury verdicts and relevant case law, managing litigation, engaging in dispute resolution and negotiating settlements of highly complex cases.
Do you support Measure E?
Yes. If Measure E passes, a new school will be built (likely in North Village, which is in my trustee area, the only area that does not have a school within its boundaries). Vacaville needs a new school.
Our enrollment is increasing and projections show that growth in attendance will remain on an upward trend for the next several years, which should not come as a surprise, considering the new construction occurring in several parts of town and the addition of T-K students to our schools.
What are the major issues facing American schools?
Chronic underfunding of education. Student and staff safety. An inadequate number of qualified persons are entering the workforce and/or remaining in critical roles essential to the successful operation of schools.
If reelected, can you cite some of the hard decisions you may have to make in the coming year or following year?
The budget is a big one. The budget advisory committee has been tasked with cutting $7 million over the next two years. Pretty much any area where cuts may be considered, there will be strong and vocal opposition and the decisions to make cuts will no doubt be unpopular and uncomfortable.
What are your hopes for the future of Vacaville Unified?
I am excited about the prospect of a new school being constructed in the northeast portion of town. I am hopeful that the restructuring of our middle schools from a 7-and-8 model to a 6-through-8 model will have a positive impact on staff and student safety as well as student success. I am hopeful that we will be better able to meet the needs of our students, our families, our staff and our community and that we will begin to see Vacaville Unified students making significant gains in reading, math and science competencies.