I came to Davis and Davis schools in the fall of 1992 after teaching for a decade in San Diego. Among the many differences I experienced during my Davis tenure, I found teaching in a smaller district (San Diego was the sixth largest school district in the country at that time) had its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

What I have grown to admire and appreciate about Davis schools is that when you are smaller, you can better hear and begin to meet the individual needs and concerns of parents, students and teachers within a smaller district. You can also mobilize and make substantive changes more quickly and effectively.

I learned this lesson in dramatic fashion last year when the Davis community mobilized to raise a staggering amount of money to offset a looming budget crisis. I proudly shared that incredible story with my friends and family, and they all agreed that the fundraising efforts truly showed how the Davis community valued the education of their children. I was never prouder to be a teacher and now administrator in the Davis schools.

Now the Davis community will be asked again to mobilize and take action in the November election to support our schools by voting in favor of Measure W. I believe this parcel tax initiative is an effective way to reaffirm the Davis community's commitment to our schools and children. I am confident the Davis community will rise and meet this new challenge facing our schools and support Measure W.
As a parent, former teacher and current administrator, I thank the community for their past support of our school district and I strongly urge the community to support Measure W in November.

Kerin Kelleher