My name is Kevin Kim and I am a candidate for Saugus Union School District Trustee Area 1. My daughter is a student at Bridgeport Elementary so I have a vested interested in the success of our education system and know how important it is for parents to know what’s going on in their child’s education. I have shown my commitment to the students in SUSD through my volunteerism.
First, I have coached baseball and basketball for years and have connected with many kids and their families. Second, I began to focus on my children’s education. I was chosen to serve on the Asset Management Committee for SUSD and I was elected to be the chairman of the School Site Committee for Bridgeport Elementary. From these positions within the district I saw the strengths of the district — dedicated teachers, an engaged community and hard-working administrators.
I also saw weaknesses: not enough communication between schools and parents and an administration that was not being challenged and used to having their decisions rubber stamped.
That is why I chose to run for this seat. We need people who will make the district communicate with the community and also to challenge and study the different proposals made by administrators. If we want to face the challenges of school safety and academic achievement it starts at the top. We need to re-establish a culture where it’s OK to bring up questions, to disagree and work together to solve problems. With a new superintendent in tow, this is a critical time to establish this new culture.
The board needs to make sure everyone’s voices are heard and brought to the table. Then we can empower teachers to do what they do best, teach. We can help students focus on the joy of learning. Administrators should have clear objectives on how to run their schools and departments but the ability to choose the path to achieve them. My commitment to these principles has earned me the endorsement of the Saugus Teachers Association and the California School Employees Association. I am proud to gain their trust and I ask the residents of Area 1 to trust me with their vote.
Kevin Kim
Valencia
