I am writing to support the election of Mark Mansell to the Ocean Beach School Board.

It is easy enough to criticize our local school district for issues relating to building maintenance, graduation rates, achievement scores, community engagement, etc., but after spending 20 years on our school board I found that achieving sustained progress is difficult. There are no quick easy fixes. Budget, unions, transportation logistics, non-centralized and aging buildings, staffing issues, high percentage students eligible for free and reduced-cost meals, and many community concerns all contribute to making problem solving messy and less than satisfying.

To make steps forwards, a board should be diverse, composed of members of disparate backgrounds and opinions. This is not unlike President Lincoln appointing his cabinet of rivals to help build coalitions and strengthen tenuous bonds.

As a retired school superintendent, Mark has the skill set necessary to help the board navigate complicated school budgets, build community alliances, and support, and minimize the downstream impacts and educational trade-offs resulting from difficult decisions.

Vote for Mark Mansell for school board.

KIM PATTEN

Long Beach