Pacific Grove Unified School District

Total Revenue: $19,809,667
Dollars/Student: $11,692
Total Schools: 5
Total Enrollment: 1,725
Average Class Size: 23.5
Student/Teacher Ratio: 17.3 to 1
Average Teacher Salary: $69,130
Average Years Teaching in District: 14.0
Four-year Dropout Rate: 11.3 percent
Graduates with UC/CSU Required Courses: 56.8 percent
Students Receiving Free or Reduced Lunches: 9.0 percent

The Candidates

Vote for Two

MIKE NICCUM

Age: 49

Occupation: Incumbent/Civil Engineer

Number of years in the district: 13

How many kids do you have?

I have one 14 year old daughter.

How many kids do you have attending schools within the district for which you are running?

My daughter attends Pacific Grove High School.

What are the top two issues facing the district? If elected, how will you address them?

Continue improvement of student learning and academic achievement. The district has continued to improve the instructional program over the past several years with all four schools now exceeding the Academic Performance Index score of 800 set by the State Board of Education as the target to which all schools should aspire. I believe in reviewing student performance data to identify further program improvements with the ultimate goal of better preparing high school graduates for college or work experiences.

Improving the infrastructure of our aging school facilities is another priority. The local community approved a $42 million bond in June 2006 to perform major repairs and upgrades to educational facilities in Pacific Grove. I am a registered Civil Engineer in California and as District Engineer at Pebble Beach Community Services District over the past 13 years; I was responsible for planning, design and construction of capital projects totaling over $34,000,000. I bring this experience to Board of Education deliberations that set project priorities, budgets and schedules for the proposed improvements at all District sites.

What issue flies under the radar of the current board or the public?

The increase in the number of special needs students attending the school district. State and federal lawmakers add requirements for dealing with special needs students without providing adequate funding.

What will you accomplish that your opponents cannot?

An individual board member cannot accomplish anything without working with the entire Board of Education. I have good communication skills and work with fellow board members to find common ground. As an established district leader, I have learned that communication is the key our student’s success. I know many of the staff, students and their families and share their needs and concerns. As Board President this year I was responsible for coordinating the search for our new superintendent, which included a dialogue with district staff, parents and community leaders.

What endorsements have you received, if any?

None

What is your education-related background (work, volunteerism, education)?

I am completing a four year term as a trustee for the Pacific Grove Unified School District Board of Education, serving this year as President of the Board. I served the previous five years on the school site councils at Forest Grove Elementary School and David Avenue Kindergarten Center as well as the Forest Grove Playground Committee, the 2002 PGUSD Long Range Planning Committee and the 2003 Elementary Grade Level Task Force.

I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 1980.

What other civic experience do you have?

I have been an active member of the local community including coaching youth sports in Pacific Grove for the past ten years and volunteering for the Pacific Grove Feast of Lanterns activities. I am a member of Kiwanis Club of Pacific Grove and served as President in 2000. I also participate in the American Public Works Association, serving as President of the local Monterey Bay Chapter in 2004. I am currently serving as president of the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Society of Professional Engineers.

What is the one book that every school kid ought to read before graduating from high school?

“The Diary of Anne Frank” is a book that illustrates the value of freedom that is often taken for granted in our society. It also displays what is possible if a government does not allow tolerance for all members of the society.

ANTHONY SOLLECITO

Age: 53

Occupation: Retired Chief of Police (City of Seaside). Retired in June after 33 years as a police officer, 37 total years in law enforcement.

Number of years in the district: 6

How many kids do you have?

We have 2 kids, twin 10-year-old daughters.

How many kids do you have attending schools within the district for which you are running?

Both attend Forest Grove Elementary School.

What are the top two issues facing the district? If elected, how will you address them?

Declining enrollment (shrinking district) and how to effectively spend the Measure A and D monies that best benefits the safety and learning environment for our kids. My belief is that enrollment is declining because young families cannot afford to live here. Perhaps offering certain courses to kids outside of the district would help.

Oversight of Measures A and D seems to be effective currently. I have reviewed the plans for the current obligated money (about $12 million) and all the expenditures seem needed and important. However, I would also like to ensure that some of the money is obligated towards increasing the security of the district’s schools.

What issue flies under the radar of the current board or the public?

Many high school students finish their required core courses around noon and often leave campus with nothing else to do. The addition of some career (“ROP”) type courses, possibly put on by the adult school, would be very beneficial. Another issue: The board meetings are most often attended only by district personnel. Usually I’m the only parent there. Meeting dates and agendas should be sent home with the kids to get more people involved.

What will you accomplish that your opponents cannot?

My hope is that any of the candidates would be a valuable asset to the board. I bring a long career in public safety and public service to the table. I also have young children in the district, who will remain in the district until they graduate (approximately 8 more years… two terms!); which gives me incentive to make sure the district remains outstanding. I also have many years experience at obtaining grant funding. While Chief of Police for the City of Seaside I was able to obtain millions of dollars in grant funding to pay for additional personnel, equipment, and programs. My focus has always been on making it easier for young people to succeed and grow into productive, responsible, and caring adults. To that end, as Seaside’s police chief I started or enhanced many youth related programs, including: the Seaside Police Activities League, the county’s only Youth Diversion Counselor, doubling the amount of School Resource Officers in the city’s schools, being an active member of the Seaside Prevention Coalition, established a police cadet program, etc.

What endorsements have you received, if any?

I have not sought endorsements. However, the PG Teachers’ Association has interviewed me, and I have an interview with the ’s editorial staff today. I am not a politician nor did I ever strive to be one. I am a person who spent over 3 decades in public service and now wishes to continue that public service at a different level.

What is your education-related background (work, volunteerism, education)?

I have an Associate Degree in Administration of Justice and a Bachelor Degree in Management. I volunteer as a board member on the Monterey Peninsula Youth Fund.

What other civic experience do you have?

Most of my civic work, in addition to the Monterey Peninsula Youth Fund, has been through my church or my daughters’ school (where I also served on the School Site Council).

What is the one book that every school kid ought to read before graduating from high school?

Any book that focuses on integrity and doing the right thing (and there are plenty of them out there).

GERRI CONWAY didn’t respond to the Weekly’s questionnaire.