My name is Carly Alvord and I am running for the Lakeport Unified School District Governing Board.

I have had the privilege of living in this community since 1980. I attended LUSD from kindergarten through high school graduation, and now have two children beginning their seventh year in the district.

My mother enjoyed a 32-year career with the school. I have two sisters currently employed by the district, and six nieces and nephews enrolled. To say that Lakeport schools are important to me is an understatement.

I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in business and English from the University of Maryland, have been a member of the School Site Council for six years, served on the Wellness Committee, the PTO, volunteered several years in the classroom and served on the District LCAP Committee to establish fiscal and academic goals.

I’m accustomed to working cooperatively with people to understand the issues and goals, and help make them successful.

One of the great qualities of growing up in a small, rural school like Lakeport is continuity and familiarity. As I have visited the school over the years, it has always felt like “coming home.” Familiar teachers, administrators, and staff greeting you with a warmth and affinity cultivated by years of shared experience.

Sadly, I feel that my children may miss out on this experience.

Today we are suffering an alarming exit of qualified teachers. Last year the Elementary School, alone, lost more than 50 percent of its teaching staff – among them, an LUSD “Teacher of the Year,” who after 22 years with a district she loved felt she could no longer stay. This is extremely concerning to me and one of the major factors that led to my decision to run in this race.

Great schools start with great teachers. Great teachers need support. They need to feel valued, appreciated and safe. Unfortunately, the interactions I’ve had with past and current teachers show the opposite.

Lack of discipline has led to great concerns over student and teacher safety, and appropriate consequences for violent conduct appear to be lacking. We must get to the bottom of these issues before it is too late.

I ask for your vote, so that I may be a voice for the community. I want Lakeport residents, school staff, parents and students to know that I’m on their side. I am their elected representative, and it is my duty to listen to their concerns.

I will work diligently to understand the causes of these issues, and help make meaningful changes in policy and leadership that will return our district to a place of safety, academic excellence, and prominence.

Real change on a school board takes three votes. I’ve teamed up with two other outstanding individuals who are also running for school board. We ask you to vote for all three of us: Carly Alvord, Daniel Buffalo and Jennifer Hanson on Nov. 6.

If you’d like further information or wish to get involved, please visit www.fixLUSD.com.

Question for me? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-349-7770.

Carly Alvord lives in Lakeport, Calif.