Candidate Profile: Linda Reid For PVPUSD School Board

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — The 2020 election is heating up in Los Angeles County, and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the presidential election, but voters will also decide the outcome of state representative and senate seats.

Closer to home, Patch has asked candidates for city council races to discuss their campaigns, publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

In Palos Verdes, Linda Reid is running for one of the open seats on PVPUSD School Board.

Age (as of Election Day)

53

Town/City of Residence

Palos Verdes Estates

Office Sought

Municipal office

Where appropriate, add specifics about office sought: i.e., State Senate District 1, State Assembly District 2, Temecula City Council District 1, etc.

PVPUSD Board of Education

Party affiliation (not needed in non-partisan races, including county, city and school offices)

N/A

Family

Married 26 years to Scott Reid. Children Duncan (22) and Frankie (18)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

no

Education

BA Communication, Stanford University, 1988; BS, Biology, Stanford University, 1988; MBA, University of Southern California (USC), 1993

Occupation

college admissions editor, 20 years

Campaign website

www.reid4pvpschools.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Current elected Board of Education member

The single most pressing issue facing our (state, district, community, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

getting our children back into the classroom safely. I will continue to advocate for safe return to schools, and work to address learning loss and mental health problems for our students.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have 6 years of experience on the school board in PVPUSD and was a PVPUSD parent for 20 years. I am running for re-election to continue the work as a volunteer public servant that makes our local schools among the nation’s best. I am not beholden to political groups, parties, unions, or any organized groups. I govern in a non-partisan independent way, and am a consensus builder and strong leader.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

While I have nothing negative to say about my fellow candidates, I will say that I am very disappointed in the Patch editors allowing non-incumbents to take shots at incumbents in races throughout California with this biased question. Journalism, like non-partisan elected officials, must be without bias in order to be trusted.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I have been honored to serve on the PVPUSD School Board, and I am proud of the work I have done to help all of our district’s children.

FINANCIAL STABILITY--In times of crisis and state funding problems, I make the hard decisions to keep the district fiscally strong.

KIDS FIRST--Every decision I make is what I believe is best for our students

AVAILABILITY--Always willing to meet with, talk with and communicate with community members, on your schedule, via your preferred mode of communication.

OPENNESS--I advocate for open lines of communication with all community members, including parents, teachers, students, and alumni

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have been a member of the PVPUSD School Board since 2014. During my tenure on the Board, I have voted on difficult needed budget cuts, on expanding high-level academic programs including world language, serving our special education community, and hiring a strong superintendent. I have also been a tireless advocate for our middle and high school athletics and arts programs, including maintaining and repairing their facilities. Additionally, I successfully advocated for changing the academic calendar so that finals at the high school level are taken before winter break, and putting more money towards addressing our student mental health crisis.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

I have talked with hundreds of parents, students, teachers and community members over the past few months—helping them solve Covid-related issues with learning, mental health and scheduling. I will continue to assist families by guiding them to resources, and listening to their concerns to help me reach right decisions for our students. My goal is always to alleviate anxiety in these times, whether reassuring high school students uneasy about college, or understanding screen time concerns for our youngest learners. If we can return to school post-COVID with little to no learning loss, and healthy students and teachers, I will consider our best efforts during the pandemic to be a success.

Why should voters trust you?

In this period of uncertainty, I am a non-partisan voice of reason and consensus builder who is not afraid to ask difficult questions and speak out on behalf of our diverse students. I am always available to the community and our staff, and I understand public school finance and its nuances in California. As a non-partisan school board member, I am endorsed by dozens of elected city officials and community leaders of varying political views (full list at www.reid4pvpschools.com).

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I first became involved with local politics as a parent with finance and communication expertise, ridding PVPUSD of ineffective administrators, and then bringing to the district’s attention problems with the math curriculum. As a board member, I devote countless hours to studying our budget, and to making decisions with our students in mind, not partisan goals. I advocate for a healthy reserve, using our district's strong Budget Advisory Committee effectively, and for smart spending on student needs. I question district spending and demand the board be kept informed of all spending decisions.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

no

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

from my father, Frank Dodge, a longtime CPA, who told me when we decided to move to Palos Verdes though it was a stretch financially: there are no do-overs with your kids' education. You have to do what is best for them. Move to PV.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Homeowner in Palos Verdes since 2001.
Mother of 2 PVPUSD graduates, Duncan ‘16 and Frankie ‘20
Married 26 years to Scott Reid, investigative reporter with the Orange County Register
Community Involvement:
PTA member and leader, 2003-2020; PTA Golden Oak Award winner, 2020; PTA Continuing Service Award, 2011, 2016. Team Parent, PVHS Cross Country and track, 2013-2020. Team Parent, PVIS Cross Country and track, 2013-2020. Board Member, AAGW (anti-human trafficking 501c3).