Letter to the Editor: As a former educator, school board member I support Edlund
As a retired educator and past board member of the Plumas Unified School District, I felt it important to attend the League of Women Voters (LWV). Candidate Forum held at Portola. It should be noted that the LWV always holds a forum that allows questions from the public and ensures fairness and equal time for each candidate to address issues brought forth from the public.
Public service has its rewards and challenges. It is important that those seeking the position of a public-school board of education member have a grasp of the three major functions of a board member. They are fiduciary, developing board policy, and working with the superintendent in their role as school leader.
I have had the honor and pleasure of serving with Leslie Edlund on a PUSD 7/11 Committee and then seven years as a fellow board member with the Plumas Unified School District. Prior to her serving on the Board of Education, Leslie has spent countless hours volunteering in classrooms and supporting school activities. There are few people in our community that have devoted so much of their time and energy in support of the Plumas Unified School District. Such was the case when she prepared for board meetings. Board packets and financial reports were thoroughly read, and she kept abreast of state and national issues through journals and publications for the California School Board Association as well as other sources. She always kept an open mind and listened to points of view before the board made decisions. She served as President of the Board for six years and provided strong leadership including making the case for a school bond issue that was voter approved. Leslie was often seen and welcomed in the school buildings. She thoroughly understood her role as a board member and the importance of following board policy as she worked with teachers, administrators, and parents. In my role as superintendent of schools as well as board member, I would place her as one of the most professional and knowledgeable board members I ever served or worked with.
In my lifetime, I have found that some of the most important elections are at the local level and often impact our quality of life. Nothing is more important than the education of our children. Please vote.
Dwight Pierson
Past PUSD board member
