The mail in ballots for the November 3, 2009 election are being sent out and it is more important than ever that you have your voice heard locally. The William S. Hart Union School Board has 3 seats up for election and it is time to inject fresh blood into that organization.

With the utter mishandling of the Castaic high school issue and question about where bond money has been spent there is no doubt in my mind that we as a community need to make a change at the ballot box. It’s time to toss any incumbent that is running.

Currently there are five individuals running for the three open seats on William S. Hart Union High School District board. They are; Bob Jensen, CPA, Newhall School District board member; Joe Messina, small business owner; Suzan Solomon, NSD board member; Paul Strickland, incumbent; and Linda Valdes, teacher.

Here is what I think of those that are running for the three seats:  

• Bob Jensen is a CPA and that more or less says it all! The William S. Hart Union School Board needs a member with a strong understanding of accounting and finances. That should hopefully prevent bond money going apparently unaccounted for and/or being squandered. Having a CPA on the board should prevent that from happening. In my book Mr. Jensen is worth a try and a vote!
• Joe Messina is an honest, hardworking local small business owner who has a lot of integrity. I know Joe and would concur with his previous campaign slogan that he is “No Average Joe!” That is the kind of person we need on the local school board; somebody that is not afraid to ask tough questions and can get things done. He would be an excellent choice for one of the seats and I would encourage everyone to vote for Joe Messina.
• Suzan Solomon is also someone I know and would wholeheartedly endorse for a Hart School Board seat. She has done a fantastic job as a Newhall School District Board member; she is intelligent and has the students and parents in mind in her decision making. Suzan would be a great addition to the Hart School Board. I would encourage everyone to vote for Suzan Solomon.
• Paul Strickland is the sole incumbent running in the Hart School Board race. He is a nice guy; I have spoken with him on several occasions over the years and he is enthusiastic about the tasks he takes on. Here is my issue with Paul; he recently said that he will make the Castaic High School his top priority if he is re-elected. Excuse me! What about the last several years, it wasn’t a priority then but it is now?  Sorry, you had your chance Mr. Strickland now let’s get someone in there that can shake things up. NO on Strickland!
• Linda Valdes is a person I do not know other than she is a teacher. A very honorable profession. But would having a working teacher on the Hart School Board pose a conflict of interest? I think it might. Sometimes school districts have to make tough decisions and tough choices that often impact teachers and students. Ms. Valdes as a teacher might not be as unbiased in her decision making process as some of the other candidates who are not teachers. Unfortunately I would not vote for her at this time given the qualifications of the other candidates.  

That is a look at the Hart School Board race from this parent’s vantage point. With my youngest daughter only a few years away from Jr. High School I want a local school board that will be affective in getting the proposed Castaic High School built now, not five or ten more years down the road.

We need a William S. Hart Union School Board that actually is working for the students, parents, and the taxpayers not some special interest. We need a school board that is free of conflicts of interest and is not beholden to a “facilities foundation”.

And finally, we need a school board that is decisive, bold and doggedly set on getting the job at hand completed, building the new Castaic High School now on the site with the least amount of issues. The site that will be the safest for our children and will proceed the quickest is what is needed now.

The current board has not fulfilled its duty so now it is time to get new board members elected. It is time for new blood!   

Dave Bossert- Commentary

Dave Bossert is a community volunteer who serves on a number of boards and councils. His commentaries represent his own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization he may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon.