Ten candidates file for five open Scotts Valley school board positions

Scotts Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees
Four-year seat
Sue Rains
Occupation:  Parent/Accountant
Age:  53
20-year resident
Vine Hill Elementary, past PTA president and treasurer
Scotts Valley Middle School PTA treasurer
Scotts Valley High School Falcon Club treasurer
Career background: B.S. in Accounting, San Jose State, over 30 years as accounting professional
“I will work tirelessly to improve communication, safety and social awareness at each of our schools.  I will use my background in finance to work with the Union to find ways to improve teachers’ salaries and retention.”
Top issue: Rebuilding Scotts Valley Middle School
Sue Roth, incumbent
Occupation: Administrative Assistant
Age:  53
Trustee for Scotts Valley Unified School District, 12 years
Top priority: maintaining quality educational programs
Accomplishments: hiring and retaining quality teachers and staff, parcel tax to sustain teacher staffing levels during the economic downturn, passing a bond for rebuilding our middle school, and keeping a balanced budget; 97% graduation rate and 97% higher education rate.
“I will work actively and collaboratively with students, parents, schools, community, and businesses to keep our schools strong and effective.”
Michael Shulman, incumbent, board president
Occupation: Engineer
Age: 58
Scotts Valley Unified School District Governing Board Trustee, eight years
Accomplishments: Strong student performance while rebuilding excellent staff and community relations.  All four Scotts Valley schools have won state level recognition, finances are tight but positive, and our focus remains on graduating good citizens ready for college or career.
Top priorities: support our new superintendent, help the middle school project stay on track; provide a comprehensive program of academics, sports, arts, and career education.
“I have a lengthy history of Scotts Valley civic participation that allows me to recognize and capitalize on approaches likely to work well in our community.”
Kim Shultz, incumbent
Occupation: transportation engineer
Age: 64
Scotts Valley Unified School District, Board of Trustees since 2013
Scotts Valley resident, 15 years; two sons Scotts Valley alums
Career background: managed $143 million of Regional Transportation Commission projects
Accomplishments: Treasurer of the Measure A campaign to rebuild the Scotts Valley Middle School and sub-committees to recommend the middle school architect, construction team, and the Scotts Valley Sports Complex
Top priorities: Construct the Middle School on time and within budget
Promote a higher level of engagement in elementary school classrooms, the middle school Academy, and International Baccalaureate and Regional Occupational programs
Invites ideas for Scotts Valley’s schools at: [email protected].
Cathie Simonovich  [sp?]
Occupation: Small Business Owner
Age: 52
Scotts Valley resident, 17 years; two children Scotts Valley alums, one a junior
Career: Owner with husband of Santa Cruz Pasta Factory, gourmet pasta and sauce manufacturer
Classroom volunteer and PTA member
Vine Hill Elementary Life Lab Aide,  Academic Intervention Aide, and a Physical Education Aide
Substitute teacher, Vine Hill Elementary and Scotts Valley Middle School
Top priority: the needs of the students
“I am confident that my experience working in the district as well as my business background will make me a valuable team player.”
Stephanie Espinola
Occupation: Mother/Volunteer
Age: 51
Brook Knoll PTA president, 6 years
Scotts Valley Middle School PTA president, 4 years
Scotts Valley High School Falcon Club president, 3 years.
District committees: Scotts Valley Education Foundation, District Budget Advisory Committee, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Review Committee, District Bonding Committee.
Career: Human Resources
Scotts Valley alum
“I am committed to making a difference for all students in this district.”
Two-year seat
 
Roger L. Snyder
Occupation: Product Management Consultant
Age: 48
Scotts Valley resident, 16 years; daughters attended Vine Hill Elementary; one in college, two at Scotts Valley High Schools, one at Scotts Valley Middle School
Field trip chaperone, and school volunteer; Scotts Valley Educational Foundation, secretary
Led voter marketing efforts in support of Measure K and Measure A
Career background: professional engineer and MBA, Professionally, I have led cross-functional teams for over 15 years.  “My experience, tied with my Engineering degree and MBA, allows me to understand issues well, communicate effectively, and collaborate to solve tough problems.”
Top priority: to build a safe, friendly, productive environment that both reflects the unique character of our community and prepares students for success 
“If elected, I will put our students first”
Corey Warner
Occupation: Senior Procurement Specialist         
Lived in Scotts Valley for more than 13 years; three children in Scotts Valley elementary school
Career background: 17 years with a major electrical subcontractor on various construction projects throughout Silicon Valley
Member, Middle School Design Committee
“My background and vested interest in the success of the Middle School project positions me to represent the interest of many Scotts Valley families.
“I enjoy spending time with my family in and around our amazing community and reading to my children every night.“
Gia Schwarzer
Did not submit a statement to Board of Elections