Guardrails, not handcuffs.
A 40-year LVUSD teacher and former president of the Las Virgenes Educators Association, running to restore balance to our Board, bring educators back to the table, and make every decision in the open.
I am a retired LVUSD teacher with 40 years in the District. Two of the programs I'm most proud of developing and supervising are our Outdoor Education program and a highly successful remedial summer school program for 5th graders heading into middle school.
I was president of the Las Virgenes Educators Association (LVEA) for almost half my career. Both a Board member and a District administrator strongly encouraged me to run for School Board. They felt there was growing disharmony in the District, and they were right.
As LVEA President, Sandra was instrumental in establishing a weekly meeting of teacher leaders and District administrators, where District proposals were discussed and studied with full representation by educators, administrators, parents, and students.
A passionate, thoughtful and determined advocate who consistently stands up for students, families, and staff. She brings strong convictions, a deep commitment to public education, and a willingness to work hard on behalf of the community.— The Acorn, October 9
Let me prove it to you…
↓Dr. Mark Anderson, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, opened the staff report on the District's Technology and AI Policies this way: "A board policy is the overarching belief statement about something; an administrative regulation is how it's going to happen."
An overarching plan for a functioning democracy — the big-picture beliefs that guide everything else.
Specific rules that spell out how the policy works, and that can be amended through a defined process.
The staff report gave a clear draft of what both the Technology and AI policies should include, plus specific suggestions for regulations to implement them. By the next Board meeting, Mr. Lazar had unilaterally moved those suggested regulations into the Policy itself, "so that a future superintendent or future CTO or future cabinet is clear about what our intention was." Now written into policy:
The vote came almost two weeks before teachers were scheduled to review it.
Dawn Thomas, Asst. Superintendent of Student Services, told the Board: "We plan to bring it to the teachers for review on the October 12 Staff Development Day to get more input on guidelines."
Never in my 53 years working and living in this District have I seen a Board so totally ignore the recommendations of its staff, and so blatantly lock educators, most parents, and students out of a process that produced such serious policies governing the instructional use of technology and AI.
He suggested telling 4th/5th-grade teachers, "We're going to give you 150 minutes. We know you are using less… If we lower it, I think they may sense like we're putting our thumb on them, and I don't think that is a good way to work with our staff." His remarks were not acknowledged.
The Director of Elementary Education asked to meet with grade-level leads and return with their input. Angela Cutbill replied that she could bring back a report, but her mind was already made up.
Three of our current Board members have failed our students, families, and staff. These statements, made during Board discussion of the Technology and AI Policies, show why this seat matters most.
"What did we do before technology? We have to go back to those methods of teaching that worked the past 200 years."
A vote for Dallas Lawrence will take your children backwards for the next four years. A vote for Sandra Pope will restore balance on the Board and open doors for future possibilities.
Educators asked for guardrails, not handcuffs.
A tremendous amount of time and energy has been spent on screen time. A well-organized parent group has made their concerns very clear. I hear those concerns, and I'm thrilled our District has created a school that answers all of them.
A certified public Waldorf school where, in the District's own words, "student screen time during the instructional day is kept to an absolute minimum, and for younger grades, it is virtually non-existent." How lucky we are to have such a program of choice for our families.
The real issue is the lack of a systematic way to evaluate the technology and AI programs already in our classrooms. I'm baffled that the Board is more anxious about minutes than programs. Our schools should embrace useful technology while protecting what we know is best in education:
Establish a year-long task force with a clear vetting procedure for existing programs and for new platforms considered for Board approval. No moratorium needed — educators must be a critical part of the decision.
District student policies haven't been revised since 2017. A year-long task force, including a survey of all major stakeholders, would identify the values the policy must reflect and the explicit steps of progressive discipline.
Monthly newsletters, podcasts, or whatever format families prefer. All proposed changes, and the process for making them, stated clearly and in print, so stakeholders know how to give input.
A good school board member sets clear policies after careful consideration of concerns from parents, students, educators, and staff, gathered through a fully transparent, inclusive process; stays open to communication; and uses evidence to make sure every stakeholder was considered before making decisions that affect our community.
The loss of Lesli Stein as a Board member is devastating. Lesli has always been an excellent listener, open-minded to all concerns, and inclusive when making decisions. Here is how to fill out your ballot:
Replace Dallas Lawrence and restore balance to the Board.
The perfect choice to replace Lesli Stein.
Please vote yes.
Not sure where you're registered or where to vote? Check your status at sos.ca.gov.
Your contribution helps reach voters across the District with a simple message: our students deserve a Board that listens to teachers, parents, and students before it decides.
Donate securelyThank you so much for your donation to my school board campaign. I am sincerely grateful for your support and encouragement.
My commitment to helping students evaluate information, think independently, and develop a lifelong love of learning remains strong. My advocacy for teachers remains close to my heart.
Your donation will help me bring unification between all stakeholders in our district as we work together to fully prepare our students for their future by making the best use of all the resources available to support classroom instruction.