School board incumbent wants to serve four more years

By Stephanie Bertholdo Acorn Staff Writer

Terilyn Finders

Terilyn Finders, president of the Las Virgenes Unified School District Board of Education, is seeking reelection because, she said, she wants to complete her work.

Over the past four years, Finders said she’s worked diligently in various areas. When she first joined the board, labor relations were practically nonexistent, Finders said.

The current climate "has never been better," Finders said, adding that she spearheaded meaningful collaboration between teachers and administrators.

In her campaign letter, Finders promises to continue to be a voice for teachers, since she believes that teachers have "the single greatest impact on our children’s education."

Finders helped form, she said, the Legislative Coalition, a committee that advocates at both the state and federal level for new laws that benefit public education. It points to her emphasis on collaboration, she said. Teachers, administrators, parents, students and board members work together to send a clear message to elected officials through the coalition. It’s currently fighting for more special education funding, according to Finders.

Another innovation from Finders, along with colleague Patricia Shultz (also seeking reelection to the school board), is the Nutrition and Health Task Force, she said. Junk food and soda on school campuses from kindergarten through eighth grade are being removed and replaced with healthful lunch and snack choices, including water. To gain support for the program, Finders and Schultz are working closely with students, Finders said.

If reelected, Finders pointed to two critical issues currently facing the district. First, to counteract the state budget crisis that’s threatening local schools, Finders would like to "successfully identify and secure alternative, incremental funding sources that offset the harsh reality of two to three years of continued state budget cuts. . . ." Another critical issue, Finders said, is finding a replacement for Superintendent John Fitzpatrick who will retire in two years.

Finders believes that she’s up to the task. With more than two decades in a corporate environment, she said she has extensive experience in the hiring process. A vision must be established, key goals identified and a task force created to recruit the best person, she said.

Finders has impressive support. She’s endorsed by all council members in Agoura Hills, Calabasas and Westlake Village, the Las Virgenes Educators Association, and every PFA and PFC president.