Candidate has a Top 10 list for the school board
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

Peggy Buckles

Peggy Buckles has already determined her goals for the school board. In fact, the Conejo Valley Unified School District candidate has a Top 10 list to be reckoned with.

Providing vigilant oversight of the district's budget, identifying new revenue and encouraging networking throughout the state and country are at the top of the list, while bolstering school-tocareer opportunities and strengthening special needs and GATE programs follow close behind.

"Schools have a lot of money this year," Buckles said. "That probably won't continue, so we need to be really careful and have really good oversight. We can't spend it on something that's going to be a continuing expense."

Fostering arts education, technology and character education programs also make the list, and sustaining relationships with city departments, businesses, parents and community members round out the 10.

Buckles advocates keeping an open mind when it comes to teaching practices and looking to other districts for ideas.

"We tend to become isolated and not look at what other districts are doing," Buckles said. "We have a great district that's very well run. But we could improve by looking at other districts that have come up with innovative teaching ideas.

"I think it's helped that the past two superintendents have been from outside the district."

In her second turn at running for a spot on the board, Buckles, 58, is stressing her experience as a volunteer and an active parent.

"I think I've always been focused on children and education," Buckles said. "Being involved in these things on the county level has given me a different perspective. Any kind of education should be about all the kids, what's right with education and how can we improve it."

Buckles is a member of the Ventura County Youth Council, which "involves keeping kids in school and getting kids who've dropped out to come back or get into training," according to Buckles. She's a vice president of the 12th district PTA and a county representative on the School Attendance Review Board. She also served as president of the TriCounty Education Coalition last year.

Buckles has received several awards for her work on the PTA, including the California State Golden Oak Award and honorary and continuing service awards.

The candidate taught elementary school near Syracuse, N.Y., before getting married. Her husband's work brought them to many different areas and in 1991, they settled in North Ranch with their two children.

"The schools are what attracted (us) to move to this community," said Buckles, whose children graduated from CVUSD schools. "Our children are a testimony to the rigorous educational standards for which our district is respected across the state."

Clearly her kids' biggest fan, being a parent is a role Buckles holds in high regard.

"Parents' contributions are essential," Buckles said. "It really makes a difference. We have to be supportive of the system. Things do change. We have to work with the schools and not against them: they really are the professionals."