It has been a deep honor serving the LCUSD for the past thirteen years. I believe we’ve made enormous progress for our schools and communities, but we have more work to do. I first ran for school board because I believe in the transformative power of education. That belief has only grown stronger as I’ve served our community.
My wife Andrea and I have been active La Cañada residents for 23 years and we are the proud parents of five incredible kids. I’ve been there for their triumphs and their struggles. I want to fight for the best education for not only them, but for all our kids. I understand that we have to meet the challenges of today — school stress, mental health, inclusion, safety — head on. And we need to foster an environment of both educational excellence and deep support.
Our schools are doing extremely well academically. The district has been recognized as California’s top-ranked school district and among the best in the nation. Our elementary schools have earned National Blue Ribbon recognition, while our students rank first among California unified school districts in English language arts and second in mathematics on statewide assessments. La Cañada High School students have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in Advanced Placement coursework, with 98.05% of the 667 students who took AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher.
Our district has also maintained stable enrollment at a time when many California school districts are confronting declining enrollment and difficult budget decisions. That stability has helped LCUSD maintain strong educational programs while preserving fiscal responsibility. We have passed bond measures to modernize our schools and technology and successfully welcomed the Sagebrush area into LCUSD.
This is also an important time of transition, with a new superintendent and changes to the administrative team. After 13 years on the board, I bring institutional knowledge and a deep understanding of our district’s history, policies, facilities, finances, and community partnerships. My three decades as an attorney and supervising prosecutor have taught me how to navigate complex issues, evaluate competing perspectives, and work collaboratively toward sound decisions. I believe that experience can provide continuity and support to our superintendent and administrative team as they lead the district forward.
Our Wellness Center at the high school has been very well received, and we have expanded access to 7th and 8th graders to toe our elementary students.
We have made significant progress in identifying the infrastructure and technological needs of the district through the Facilities Master Plan. We have established priorities for repairing and upgrading our aging classrooms and facilities to provide a well-rounded, twenty-first century education for our students. As a career prosecutor, safety and security have always been and will always remain a top priority.
We have a great community, and La Cañada has been very good to our family. Our family has a vested interest in our schools – as do all La Cañada residents. What is good for our schools is good for our children, and we all know that our property values are closely linked to the high ranking of our excellent schools and the great reputation of our community. I have proven my dedication to our schools and community over the past nine years, and I will use my past success to keep pushing LCUSD and our community to new heights.
I understand our community has many diverse viewpoints on how we can best serve our kids. I believe the best solutions are the ones that listen, that focus on the best evidence we have, and that build consensus.
I am proud of the relationships I’ve made, and my ability to build consensus and promote coalition and collaboration. I am proud to be endorsed by our local La Cañada leaders with a wide variety of perspectives: Former Superintendent Wendy Sinnette, Congress Member Judy Chu, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, City Council Members and Mayors Jeanne Kim Hobson, Stephanie Fossan, Quemars Ahmed and John Curtis, LCUSD Board Members and Presidents Caroline Anderson, Andrew Blumenfeld, Scott Tracy, Ellen Multari, Brent Kuszyk and many other members of our community.
Our students, schools, and teachers are doing well. It’s why I’m running again. To help continue to build consensus. To foster an environment where our students, teachers, and families can all thrive and excel. Where they can feel safe and supported, challenged, and listened to. Where they can have access to the best resources on safe and secure campuses. Where we invest in the growth and future and success of all of the La Cañada Flintridge community.
I am seeking your vote to continue the work we have done, and to continue providing a true world class education to our students. I’d be honored to have your vote.
Thank you.
Dan