Bethany Smith is a candidate for FSUSD School Board, Trustee Area 1. She is a long-time resident, parent of two FSUSD students, an avid community and non-profit volunteer, a passionate advocate for children, a planning commissioner in Suisun City, and a youth employment program coordinator for a county-wide non-profit.
Twelve years ago my first student started Kindergarten in the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District; he will be graduating this school year. It would be an understatement to say there have been some changes during our time in FSUSD.
When my son entered school, the housing market was booming and the economy was stable. Our schools were offering PE and music with credentialed instructors, each school had a dedicated librarian, sports were a given in secondary programs, and technical courses could be found in comprehensive high schools throughout the district. Staff had confidence in the security of their jobs and parents didn’t have to question whether their neighborhood school would have open doors when the school year began.
Then the bubble burst and the recession hit our communities and schools in devastating ways. Tough decisions had to be made to balance the budget. Class sizes were increased. Non-essential programs and staff were cut in elementary schools, eliminating music programs and requiring classroom teachers to instruct PE curricula. Librarians became shared among schools. Middle schools lost their sports programs, and high schools stopped offering training important to workforce development. Maintenance and improvements to our school facilities has been set on the back burner, focusing funding to more pressing needs. Worst among these losses was the closure of schools, leading to the laying off of staff en masse.
Fortunately, the worst of the storm has passed and brighter days have returned. Elementary schools again have dedicated PE instructors and librarians have made their return; music instructors are also making a comeback. Middle school sports have been reinstated and high schools are on their way towards restoration of their programs. Thematic programs have given choices to students and families, providing the chance for career pipelines, technical training, and interest-based learning. One of the most exciting developments is the reopening of schools, two of which opened their doors this year; Mary Bird Early Education Center and Dover Academy for International Studies.
But there’s still more work to be done, which is why I am running for Fairfield-Suisun USD school board this fall.
This is a pivotal time for FSUSD. We have the fortune to be able to reinvest in our schools, students, and staff. Continuing the development of unique and innovative programs and opportunities for educating students in a 21st-century environment is of high importance to me. Our students should be prepared to enter the post-secondary institutions, technical training programs, and workforce of our modern times. Facilities are in need of prompt repair and modernization to meet today’s teaching styles. Technology is involved in nearly every career nowadays – from simple tasks, such as word processing and emailing, to more complex applications, such as design and programing – and, therefore, should be available to all students during their school career.
Parents need to play a greater role in the district, too, and should be engaging in all levels of district operations. Be present in classrooms, volunteer for school activities, become a member of parent booster groups and site councils, take part in district-level committees, and be a voice of the families during school board meetings. Our children are directly impacted by decisions made by everyone from teachers to administrators, and especially by the school board.
With your support, I can be a voice for parents throughout the Fairfield-Suisun school district. My commitment to all of our students and schools will continue to grow and become more impactful. I will use my understanding of our Solano County workforce to help guide in the development of programs and schools that will lead to well-paying local employment opportunities. The strong relationships I’ve built with leaders within Fairfield, Suisun City, and Solano County will be of great benefit to our students and schools.
For a full list of my community and district involvement, as well as a list of current endorsers, please visit my campaign Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/bethany4schoolboard. Email me directly at bethany4schoolboard@gmail.com with any questions, comments, or to offer your support to the campaign. A campaign rally and meet & greets in the area will be announced soon.
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