Penn Valley Union Elementary School DistrictCandidate for Board Member

Hello!

I am asking for your vote for Penn Valley Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees simply because I care about our schools, our kids, our community, and our home values. 

I am currently the Assistant Superintendent of a neighboring school district with nearly 10,000 students where I oversee a $130M budget, 1.1 million square feet of classrooms, 250 acres of fields and playgrounds, 68 busses logging over one million miles annually, and the serving of 2.3 million meals.  I understand schools, and school business operations.

Prior to my transition into school leadership, I completed a very successful 25 year career in the United States Marine Corps.  Starting initially as an enlisted artilleryman, I was later commissioned, designated a Naval Aviator, and ultimately selected to command a battalion.  I understand leadership, structure, and making tough decisions.

Finally, my wife and I operate a small (50 acre) ranch where we’re raising hogs, cattle, goats, and chickens. 

I am the product of public schools, and earned my undergraduate degree in Business from Chico State in 1993 where I was also co-captain of our nationally ranked rugby team.  During my USMC career, I also completed my MBA and spent a year in residency at the Naval War College earning a Masters in Strategic Studies.

We have 4 biological children who are all off on their adult pursuits, and have recently become the adoptive parents of 3 more wonderful, elementary-aged siblings who simply needed someone to care about them.

I am running not because I have an agenda or other political aspirations; I am running because I care.  We need board members who understand the complexities of schools, budgets, EdCode, and the myriad of other issues facing PVUESD.  We need members who understand that running a deficit of over $400k per year is not sustainable and will ultimately hurt our kids and our community.  And we need board members who understand the tie between the quality of our schools and our home values.

Please read more about me at: HodsonforPennValleySchools.com, or www.linkedin.com/in/hodsonmichael

The PVUESD Board is non-partisan position which provides oversight and guidance to the Superintendent and staff.  I believe it is important to fully embrace that role - both by fully reviewing and questioning all agenda items and only voting to approve those that best promote student performance, but also recognizing that individual board members should not try to push their own personal agendas on the Superintendent or District staff.  As a senior executive, I know that the way to achieve greatness is to hire great people, then get out of their way; school boards are no different.

I believe that tough decisions don't get easier when you ignore them, and I think that far too often that's exactly how public agencies operate.  I will be an unwaivering vote for the long-term health of the district and the students entrusted to its care, for keeping the focus in the classroom where teachers change the trajectory their students' lives, and for treating every employee, parent, and student with dignity and respect.