School Board Candidate Q&A: Lisa Link

The , with Board of Education President Chris Norgaard being the only incumbent running again. That leaves the other open member spot for a newcomer since member Karen Preston is not running for re-election.

School board candidate Lisa Link has not run for or held a post on the board previously, but she is no stranger to San Marino or its schools.

Link has lived in San Marino over 21 years and is the current PTSA President, one of many volunteer hats she has worn for the SMUSD. Her family has also participated in , San Marino Boy Scouts and . 

A practicing attorney for over 23 years, Link put her career on hold last August when she said she became too busy with volunteer work.

Patch recently asked Link more about why she is running for school board, how she plans to address the district’s major issues and how she has been involved with the district. Here is what she had to say:

1.     Why are you running for school board?

I have always had an interest in and passion for public education. Now that my children are older, I have the time, experience, and perspective to serve on the San Marino Unified School Board. I look forward to using my legal experience, as well as my knowledge of the schools, administrators, staff and teachers, to have a more direct impact on the education of our youth by serving as a school board member.

2.     Have you run for school board or served on a school board before?

No. However, I do have experience working with school boards.

As a member of the 2010 Refuse to Lose committee and co-author of the Refuse to Lose “Report to the San Marino Community,” I worked with the SMUSD School Board and administrators to compile the 45-page report.

As an attorney, I represented the Los Angeles Unified School District and worked with the LAUSD School Board for many years.

3.     What do you think are the top issues the district faces and how do you plan to address those issues?

San Marino Unified is a top-ranked and successful school district. Due in large part to the generous San Marino community and dedicated school board members, parents, teachers, administrators, staff and students, the issues facing the District are not insurmountable.  Nonetheless, the and is subject to a shrinking State education budget, continual deferrals of promised State money, and increasing costs, all of which threaten the quality education that the San Marino community expects for its students. As a school board member, I would work to ensure that the District continues to seek ways to develop short- and long-term strategies for fiscal stability and lessen dependence on state monies and community donations.

Even though our students currently score extremely well in state and standardized testing, I would look to ways to continue to improve academic instruction and achievement so that our students are also well prepared in the areas of critical thinking, language, and communication.  

I remain interested in expanding quality experiences in arts, athletics, and other extracurricular activities to stimulate and enrich our students’ lives in ways that complement standard academics.

4.     How have you been involved with San Marino schools?

I have been actively involved in the San Marino schools for 15 years (since 1996 when my oldest son—now a sophomore at Claremont McKenna College—attended Kindergarten at Valentine Elementary School). I have volunteered in many ways that have positively impacted SMUSD students, whether by raising money through the SM Schools Foundation, running an organization that promotes awareness of issues affecting San Marino youth, or serving on the various school PTAs. My community and school involvement at each grade level have resulted in an excellent understanding and perspective of the issues facing students from the beginning to the end of their SMUSD education. My involvement has been recognized through several awards: Valentine’s Heart of Gold, San Marino High School’s Terrific Titan, and an Honorary Service Award from PTA Council.

A few highlights of my community and school volunteer service:

I have served as a Trustee of the San Marino Schools Foundation since 2008. In 2010-11, I was the Corresponding Secretary and served on the Executive Committee.

At San Marino High School, I am currently the PTSA President. I served as PTSA Treasurer for two years, was Booster Co-Chair for the Boys/Girls Choir, Treasurer of the Chamber Choir Boosters, PTSA Historian, Back of the House Manager for several SMHS musicals, a member of the SMHS Accreditation Committee and a member of the PTSA Nominating Committee. 

For two years, I was the President of Partnership for Awareness, a nonprofit organization that increases awareness of issues facing San Marino youth through many parent and student programs and events.

At , I co-chaired Career Day for two years and the Holiday Food Drive.  I served on the Allocations Committee and helped with the musicals.

At , I served in many support capacities, including Community Service Chair, School Site Council member and room parent. 

5.     What do you like to do in your leisure time when you get it?

I especially treasure vacations with my husband, Dave, and our two sons, Andy (a sophomore at Claremont McKenna College) and Ryan (a sophomore at San Marino High School). We enjoy any beach vacation, including boat trips to Catalina, and skiing.

Check back for more Patch Q&As with SMUSD Board of Education candidates.