Kostas for county education board

The Sonoma County Office of Education is a little-known government agency that partners with the county’s 40 school districts and 182 schools, providing important services to help them meet legal mandates, operate cost-effectively and raise student achievement. SCOE provides fiscal oversight to districts and operates schools for special education and alternative education students, as well as career technical education programs.

The elected members of the Sonoma County Board of Education work with the county school superintendent to implement a host of educational initiatives, among them facilitating the new Common Core standards; promoting college and career readiness programs; ensuring that English learners are successful in school settings; and facilitating effective fiscal and accounting practices.

For 20 years, Ray Peterson has capably represented the Petaluma area on the board, and with his retirement from the board this year, November’s election will decide his successor.

Candidate Dan Drummond is an attorney with a strong business background who views the position as one primarily focused on fiscal oversight. His opponent, Peter Kostas, is a lifelong educator who sees the position as a chance to continue his advocacy for students.

Of the two candidates, we believe Peter Kostas has the enthusiasm, expertise and vision to best represent Petaluma on the SCOE board.

Kostas has 40 years of experience in public education, including service as a science teacher, school principal, school counselor and assistant superintendent in the Mendocino Office of Education, a position in which he prepared and oversaw an $8 million annual budget plan for the Mendocino County Board of Education.

A three-year resident of Petaluma, Kostas is energetic and committed to youth. A board member of Petaluma’s Mentor Me, Kostas is passionate about public education and kids.

Drummond, executive director of the Sonoma County Taxpayers Association, says his expertise in fiscal matters is needed on a board that oversees the finances of not only the office of the county Superintendent of Schools, but also of all the school districts in the county.

While fiscal proficiency will certainly be critical in the position, we believe Kostas possesses a broader, more well-rounded skill-set to serve Petaluma constituents.

We recommend the election of Peter Kostas to the Sonoma County Office of Education board.