Amanda why are you running for SVUSD School Board? 

I believe in public education and citizenship by example. Parents and students need a voice on the board. Having a business-based perspective adds value. SVUSD needs board members who strive to listen, understand, analyze, problem solve, and govern though informed and thoughtful decisions for the good of all students.

Why are you qualified?

• Education and professional experience

• SVUSD parent experience K-12

• Arts charter school parent experience

• Four years elected governance

• Eight years appointed governance

• Commitment to citizenship by example as a community volunteer

• Record of getting results

• Able to hit the ground running serving SVUSD students and their families

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing SVUSD right now and what are your plans to address these challenges?

• Staying stud

• Providing a safe learning environment

• Adaptive/flexible teaching

• Rigorous academics

• Quality educational pathways

• Quality social emotional support

• Equal and equitable instruction

• Quality neighborhood schools

• Great teachers/staff and professional development

• Strategic and tactical fiduciary decision making

• Choices for parents

• Leveraging new ideas

• Strengthening collaborative partnerships

How will you prioritize the use of finite SVUSD resources?

• Being focused on student learning at all grade levels.

• Ensuring resources reach and benefit students.

• Listening to all stakeholders, acting on their input and complying with laws and regulations.

• Partnering with labor organizations on a shared vision for student preparedness and attracting and retaining quality teachers and staff.

What are your children’s ages, how and where they are (were) educated:

Child 1- Age 23

• Portola Hills Elementary School, Serrano Intermediate School, El Toro High School

• Rocky Mountain College, 2015 graduate

• Bachelor of Arts in Aeronautical Science-Commercial Pilot

Child 2- Age 21

• Portola Hills Elementary School, Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), graduate 2017

• Dartmouth College (Chemistry)

• Graduates in May and plans to pursue a Chemistry PhD

What school related committees/volunteer positions have you held?

• El Toro High School, Lighting and Bleacher Project Public Support Advocate

• El Toro High School, SPTO Member and Volunteer

• El Toro High School, Boys Lacrosse Parent Volunteer

• El Toro High School, Band Boosters Member and Event Volunteer

• Three-time recipient of SVUSD Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service as a Volunteer

• El Toro High School, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accreditation Parent Participant

• El Toro High School, School Site Council Member

• Portola Hills Elementary School PTA, Parliamentarian

• Saddleback Valley Council PTA, Historian

• SVUSD Teacher Recognition Dinner Volunteer

• California Department of Education, SVUSD District Assessment Survey Participant

• SVUSD Teacher of the Year Awards, Reader

• Portola Hills Elementary, Room Parent

• SVUSD Superintendent’s Forum Participant

• SVUSD Board of Education Meeting Attendee (Regularly attended and participated)

• Serrano Intermediate School, School Site Council Member

• Serrano Intermediate SPTO, Co-President

• Serrano Intermediate School, Volunteer for Various Events

• Saddleback Valley Council PTA, Historian

• Portola Hills Elementary School PTA, Historian

• Portola Hills Elementary, Arts Advocacy Chair

• PTA Convention Delegate, Sacramento and Long Beach, CA

• Attended various 4th District PTA and Saddleback Valley Council Training Workshops

• Saddleback Valley PTA Ways and Means Workshop Facilitator/Trainer

• Recipient of Volunteer of the Year Award, Portola Hills Elementary School

• SVUSD Facility Advisory Committee Member (Alternate)

• Portola Hills Elementary School PTA, President

• SVUSD Legislative Advocate and Sacramento Safari Participant

• Portola Hills Elementary, Olympic Day Committee Member

• Portola Hills Elementary, Silent Auction Committee Member

• Portola Hills Elementary, Reflections Program Committee Member

• Portola Hills Elementary School PTA, Secretary

• Portola Hills Elementary, School Repair Committee Chair

• Portola Hills Elementary, School Site Council Member

• SVUSD, School Site Council Training

• Portola Hills Elementary School Health Textbook Adoption Parent Representative

• Orange County School of Arts Visual Arts Conservatory Events Volunteer

• Orange County School of the Arts Visual Arts Conservatory Parent Advisory Committee Member

• Orange County School of the Arts Visual Arts Grade Level Parent Coordinator

• Orange County School of the Arts SPTO Member

What community related committees/volunteer positions have you held?

• Den Leader

• Troop Committee Chair

• District Merit Badge Counselor Chair (responsible for coordination and maintenance of 1,000 Merit Badge Counselors)

• Merit Badge Counselor

• Eagle Board of Review Committee

• Fundraising Advisor for Crew

• Team Parent Lake Forest Little League

• Team Parent AYSO Soccer

• Co-leader for “Chadder” Santiago de Compostela Vacation Bible School

What Government Experience (Elected office, appointed positions, etc.) do you have?

• Board of Education Vice President Saddleback Valley Unified School District (2020)

• Board of Education Clerk, Saddleback Valley Unified School District (2019)

• Board of Education President Saddleback Valley Unified School District (2018)

• Board of Education Clerk, Saddleback Valley Unified School District (2017)

• Board of Education Clerk, Coastline Regional Occupational Program Continuing Technical Education (2017)

• Elected Board of Education Governing Board Member Saddleback Valley Unified School District (2016)

• Board of Education Governing Board Member Saddleback Valley Unified School District (2015)

• Appointed Board of Education Governing Board Member Saddleback Valley Unified School District (2014)

• Chair and appointed six-year member of the City of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Commission

• (Integral in leading the development  a 5-year parks strategic master plan and the implementation of over $8 million in facility improvements at 14 parks within the City of Lake Forest including; developing a universally accessible playground so that children of all abilities could play together and a hands-on contributor in the design of the new 85-acre Lake Forest Sports Park.

• Appointed Citizens Oversight Committee Member for the Saddleback Valley Unified School District Facilities Improvement Bond (Measure B)

• (Charged with monitoring expenditures on the Facility Improvement Bond for SVUSD schools. With the committee’s oversight, all 36 schools throughout our district received major facility improvements or enhancements with 550 modernized classrooms, 60 new classrooms, 11 new multipurpose rooms, 3 new band rooms, 8 new restrooms buildings, 25 new shade structures, 24 new playgrounds, 2 new kitchens, 3 new gymnasiums, athletic complex improvements, 34 field renovations, and more.)

• Federal Civil Servant, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (4 years)

What organizations are or have you been you affiliated with?

• PTA Member all SVUSD PTA School Sites

• American Planning Association (APA)

• Federal Planning Division of APA

• American Society of Landscape Architects

• Society of American Military Engineers (SAME)

• California Parks and Recreation Society

• Boy Scouts of America

What is your professional and educational backgound?

• Current Governing Board Member, SVUSD Board of Education

• Planning Practice Leader, Jacobs (worldwide engineering consulting)

• Master’s in Governance, California School Boards Association

• Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture, Purdue University

• Arizona State University (two courses)

• West Virginia University (two semesters)

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Coursework

• Defense Acquisition University, Defense Acquisition Workforce (DAWIA) Certification

• Civil Engineer Corps Officers School (Facilities Planning, Acquisition, and Public Works Coursework)