Angela Wynne

Age: 48

Current Occupation: Office staff assistant, city of Lompoc.

Education: Bachelor of Arts Social Work, San Diego State University; Bachelor of Arts Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University; Associate of Arts Liberal Arts, Allan Hancock Junior College; Aerobics and Fitness Association of America; American Council on Exercise.

Work Experience: Mother of two very active school-aged children; employed with city of Lompoc for past 15 years; Sea World/Anheiser Busch, as Human Resources Training Specialist, overseeing staff of 15 for four years; retired fitness instructor, Allan Hancock College Adult Education; Bureau of Prisons; San Diego Naval Training Center, employees of Scripps Institute and UCSD Medical Center, San Diego State University Leisure Connection; YWCA of San Diego fitness coordinator, trained and managed teaching staff of nine.

Community Involvement: PTA board member, school-site council; retired Employee Development Association board member (city of Lompoc); volunteer with LGSA and AYSO; assisted Lompoc School of Dance with community events, performance and program production; assisted with local Girl Scout and Brownie troops; and Hearst Castle living history docent.

Questions

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1. Describe your qualifications, especially as they pertain to leadership, for serving on the Lompoc Unified School District's Board of Education.

I listen to people to hear and understand their needs and concerns, and the basic understanding that I represent the people.

People do not feel they are heard by leadership, that leadership is not interested in their opinion, does not represent their opinion and “knows better.” Not me. Leadership, especially when voted in by a constituency, is an understanding that the position is a voice of, for, and by the people, and sometimes not of that particular individual. I get that and support it.

I'm out in the community, you see me or someone you know will know me. I'm approachable, spirited, and I will be the voice of the people.

I'm a full-time, hard-working mother in the mix of making ends meet daily, striving for a better opportunities for my children and all Lompoc and surrounding area children. What better qualifications could any candidate possess?

2. What are the three most pressing issues facing the school district?

In listening to many parents and some teachers of school children, the theme of overcrowded classrooms is of major concern. The parents, children, and teachers are living it daily and pleading for a respite.

The other two pressing issues, of course, is a balanced and reasonable budget - which I am prepared to go through line for line, asking the tough questions, looking for the “‘hidden fat” - and student retention.

3. What are the best options for dealing with anticipated future budget shortfalls due to declining enrollment?

The elephant in the room is the question, “Why is there a declining enrollment?'' There are student dropouts and an ongoing residential shift as families adjust to a roller-coastering economy.

Are some schools addressing students' needs more optimally than others? Why are more and more families opting for home-schooling? I believe the school district is going to have to be in the business of public relations as well as education. Parents are finding and seizing educational alternatives: home-schooling, charter schools, out of district transfers.

The district must embrace “out of the box” thought to compete for student enrollment in order to secure those valuable educational dollars. The monopoly is ending, parental choice is on the rise and the district must get on top of this idea. Upon gaining a seat on the board, I will be available to all ideas, options, and thought the citizens have.

4. What should be done, if anything, to improve the education of local students?

In my view, reduced class size is one of the bigger steps toward educational improvement. I received a wake-up call when my oldest daughter's class size jumped from 20 to 34 in moving up a grade. Not acceptable in my book.

I'd like to entertain a city survey of teachers, parents, extended parties to have their thoughts, input, experiences on educational improvement. I don't profess to know it all - I'd like to have the thoughts of the community of what they want for their children.

5. How should the district find a replacement for the superintendent, who has announced his retirement?

In the most cost-effective manner, a candidate pool should be collected and interview intensively by the Board and a panel to consist of parents, teachers, staff support, and community representatives.

Ideally, a public hearing whereby those interested could view and question potential candidates would support the idea of cohesiveness and teamwork between the district and its citizens (families, teachers, front line employees). Pollyanna? Perhaps, but why not try? A closed-door automatic appointment will not be a popular one with our citizens.

October 18, 2008