Goodbye, board

After much reflection, I have decided to announce my retirement from public office and will not seek another term on the Pasadena Board of Education. My children have grown up in this district and their academic, extra-curricular and social success is a reflection of the many opportunities that are now available in our schools. Now I believe it is time for a new generation of leaders, leaders whose children are a part of this district and who are invested in this district's continued growth and success.

Although much work remains to be done, I believe that I have accomplished the goals that I set for myself when I joined the Board of Education six years ago, and I am proud of our school district's accomplishments during my tenure:

ACADEMIC RIGOR: With the implementation of a rigorous standards-based curriculum, ongoing professional development for our teaching professionals, pacing charts to help keep our classrooms on track and regular data-driven assessments, this is a different and far better school district than it was six years ago. I would especially like to thank our outstanding group of school principals.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT:  With the ninth-fastest rate of increase in the state this past year and the second-fastest rate of increase in the state the prior year, our test scores now rate above Los Angeles County averages and rank at the state averages. We have come a long way, with many of our schools now ranking in the high 700s or 800s on the Academic Performance Index.

PARENTAL CHOICE: We are one of the few school districts in the country to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate curriculum all the way from kindergarten through 12th grade with sites at Willard, Wilson and Blair. We created K-8 schools at Webster and Sierra Madre schools and at McKinley with a performing arts theme. But what I am proudest of is that we brought back excellent neighborhood schools throughout our community. 

SECONDARY REFORM: We invested over $1 million in secondary literacy interventions in the seventh and ninth grades. The positive results from that effort prove that we can provide the education our students need, but our major obstacle continues to be resources.

As I look to the future, I would like to work toward some goals that are aligned with my personal passions of increasing access to music programs and other recreational activities for all students, both male and female. These include working to bring about more playing fields for our student athletes and ensuring the vitality and growth of our music programs at all levels from elementary through secondary. Of special interest to me is to bring back our All-District Music Festival for elementary students and helping our All-Star Marching Band realize their dream of accepting an invitation to perform in London's New Year's Day Parade in 2008.

Instead of making a political donation this winter, consider making a donation to help fund scholarships for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our All-Star musicians. Or, perhaps, set a goal of matching any political contribution with another that directly helps kids.

You can send your scholarship donations to 3515 Thorndale Road, Pasadena Calif., 91107 c/o All-Star Band (PHS-IMC). And, unlike political contributions, your donations will be completely tax deductible. Or call me at (626) 578-1127.

I am honored to have served on the school board and thank you for placing your trust in me these past six years.  I am hopeful that you will join me in my continued efforts to make our school district the best it can be. 

Go Public! 

PETER SOELTER

PRESIDENT,

PASADENA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Unpopular truths

President Carter once said that the American people get the leadership they deserve. That statement represents exactly what we don't want from a leader. It does not obligate him to act. Still, it does have kind of a “You get what you pay for” truth to it.

So who are our leaders today? What is their inspiration? Well, there's that familiar phrase, “He'll say anything to get elected.” That's perhaps an oversimplification, but without a doubt, today's leaders only say things that reinforce what we already believe. Therefore, if you really, really want to get elected, repeat the following in front of any working microphone:

• Government takes your money.

• Criminals should be locked up indefinitely.

• Other nations, including our allies, can't be trusted, so we have to rely only on our own strength.

• The foreign-born in this country are out to take what is rightfully yours.

• Anybody who questions the above is not patriotic and should not be trusted.

There. Lather, rinse, repeat, and you have yourself a political career.

So then, what would a leader say? What would someone say who has glimpsed the future and is nudging us in that direction?

• Wars are not won militarily, but by hearts and minds. We need allies as much as we need arms.

• A nation can produce manufactured goods, but if the citizens can't afford them, the economy will die.

• You can complain about government spending, but as America gets older, it will cost lots of money to care for us.

• You can scream about criminals, but prisons are schools for crooks-in-training. If you want to stop crime, you must reform first-time offenders.

• America has always benefited from the skills of its foreign-born. Immigrant-bashing is as old as the nation itself, dating back to English-American candidates who warned, “The Irish are coming!”

Are all elected officials liars who can't say what's right?

Not really. But your job is to pick out the ones who are trying to find ways to say the unpopular truth. That's the very person who deserves your vote.

CHARLES SUMNERIAN

VIA EMAIL

Find Willie

My 2-year-old daughter, Sofia, has assured us that our little dog Willie will see our street sign and find his way back home. I can't explain to her that Willie isn't lost, but was abducted and isn't able to come home on his own.

Willie was lost for a few hours on the morning of Dec. 10 in the area of Pasadena City College. Just as he was found by a neighbor walking down Allen Avenue, a woman intervened, offering to call the number on Willie's tag and return him to his family.  She took Willie and drove south on Allen Avenue and never called. 

If there is anyway that anyone can help us find Willie, we would offer unending gratitude and a reward if desired.

Willie was last seen along California Boulevard in an early 1980s silver four-door sedan with California license plates. The driver was an African-American female who appeared to be in her late 40s, 140 pounds and 5'2”-5'3” with short black hair. There were two others in the car.

Willie is a grey and tan curly haired male Yorkie, 13 years old, six pounds, partially deaf and arthritic. He has a wart on the outside edge of his left ear and on the back of his right ear, frequently shakes and refuses most treats. He has a purple collar with a tag that reads “Willie, Pasadena CA, (310) 490-3901.”

Willie's return is the only wish on all of our Christmas lists.

CHRIS AND MARGARET STARACE

VIA EMAIL