Fresno Unified is at a crucial point in its history, and our economy and quality of life hang in the balance. Consider these fundamental questions:

• How can the Valley grow its own well paid workforce?
• How can we attract creative workers who want a good education for their children? and,

• How do we make sure all Fresnans are equipped to participate in the creative economy and rising prosperity in our region?

The answer is a high-performing public school system. Fresno's schools must engage all students and give them the skills they need to enter the world of work or college. Fresno Unified isn't just the county's largest employer. It's also our best hope for giving our children — our future — the tools to build prosperity in our community.

Fresno Unified has been through difficult times recently. In 2004 the district averted the threat of a state takeover for financial mismanagement. Many other challenges are ongoing. Nearly 50% of schools in the district rank in the bottom 10% of schools statewide. Fewer than 30% of students perform at grade level in English and math. Unfunded liabilities for retiree health benefits and workers compensation threaten the district's fiscal solvency.

The current school board has begun building the momentum to address these challenges. Consider just a few of the concrete steps the board and district have taken:

• recruiting a visionary, talented, and committed new Superintendent, Mike Hanson, to Fresno;
• sending 251 new teachers to relieve overcrowding in ninth grade classes, and to teach reading, writing, and math in elementary and middle schools;
• hiring 84 seasoned instructional coaches to work with teachers at school sites;
• setting aside a 4% budget reserve to prepare for the inevitable next economic downturn; and
• restoring funding for elementary music programs and library media teachers.

With measures like these in place, a change in culture is underway at Fresno Unified. Under the leadership of the board and Hanson, the district is:

• stressing the need to make accurate financial and academic data available,
• using data to target district resources where they are needed most,
• sharing best practices among school sites to deal with underperforming kids, and
• adopting a standard curriculum and standard academic calendar.

These reforms are long overdue in the state's fourth largest school district. Losing our momentum would put every student's future at risk.

The need for strong leaders ACROSS the board is about to become especially urgent. The threat of a state takeover had been a strong impetus for all parties to accept urgent reforms. With that threat averted, board leadership will become even more crucial to keep reforms moving forward to improve student achievement. We need courageous trustees who will support Hanson and hold the district staff accountable for reforms — even after Hanson's "honeymoon" at the district is over, and even without a state takeover looming.

At this critical time for the district, a long list of community and business leaders have united to form Voices for Excellence in Fresno Unified, and have stepped forward to support "The A Team" — school board candidates Luisa Medina, Stafford Parker, Julie Hornback, and Patricia Barr. Each candidate brings unmatched strengths and talents that the Fresno school board urgently needs now.

Two board incumbents — Patricia Barr and Luisa Medina — have been clear leaders during the past few years. Patricia served as board president in 2004, and Luisa in 2005 and 2006. Patricia and Luisa worked to hire Hanson and have been solid supporters of him and the reform efforts now underway.

We are grateful for the service that incumbents Tony Vang and Valerie Davis have provided as trustees. But during times of momentous change, they have mostly sat silent on matters of policy as the district has moved forward.

We believe new candidates Julie Hornback and Stafford Parker are better qualified to fill the need for excellence across the board. Their leadership skills have been proven over decades of experience as managers and public servants.

Julie Hornback is the Fresno County Director of Employment and Temporary Assistance. She manages a $167 million operating budget and over 1,400 employees. Julie knows how to manage change, and she is proud of her reputation among her staff as a "barrier buster."

Stafford Parker has 30 years of high-level experience in city government, including 23 years at the City of Fresno in the areas of redevelopment, housing, and community development. Stafford's ability to negotiate complex projects will be a valuable asset to Fresno Unified.

Like Luisa and Patricia, Julie and Stafford are independent thinkers who have managed budgets, worked successfully in teams, and held agencies accountable for results.

You can find more information about each candidate at the Voices for Excellence website, www.VoicesForExcellence.com. The candidates would welcome any thoughts or feedback you may have.

This election gives voters the opportunity to make sure all four board members elected are the best choices for pushing forward needed reforms to improve student achievement. We hope you'll take a close look for yourself and agree that Luisa Medina, Stafford Parker, Julie Hornback, and Patricia Barr deserve your support on November 7.