Curt Parker

Trustee Area 1
Term of Office - December 2009 - November 2013

I have been a resident of Marina since 1994 having moved to the Peninsula in 1968.  I am married to Lori and have four adult children, all who attended public schools.  In 2003, after 34 years of service to MPUSD as a teacher and principal, I retired.

I feel fortunate and feel a great responsibility to give back to education.  I was raised in Kansas, the oldest of five children, in a poor welfare family.  Education was not a priority, survival was.  I dropped out of high school briefly, but luckily returned upon the urging of an uncle I trusted.  Three things helped me to get out of the circle of poverty into which I was born:  1) Military service (Vietnam vet); 2) Education, and 3) my Faith.

Even though we are experiencing a painful time of budget cuts, money is not always the bottom line.  It is the needs of our children.  We must do whatever we can to make sure that all children come out of school at a level where they can be successful in life.

I want to collaborate with others on the Board, who also have a sincere interest in public education, to make those difficult choices which are required so our children will see that the American dream --- the California dream --- is still possible for those who work hard and set their goals high enough.
 



Helen B. Rucker

Trustee Area 2
Term of Office: December 2009 - November 2013

I retired from MPUSD in 1988 after serving 37 years in public schools in California, Louisiana, and Europe. I last worked at Manzanita Elementary School in Seaside as Librarian. Since retiring, I have volunteered in my community, serving as Mayor Pro Tem and Councilperson on the Seaside City Council, as well as volunteering for countless social, civic, health, and educational organizations. I believe we should provide a quality education for all students in our District, regardless of socio-economic status, race, or educational level of parents. All of us --- education professionals, parents, and community members --- should share in the achievement of this lofty goal.

Diane Creasey - Board President

Trustee Area 1
Term of Office:  December 2007 - November 2011

In March 2007, I was selected by the Board to complete the term of the Area 1 Trustee. I appreciate this opportunity and responsibility to serve the students, families, and citizens of Area 1. I also see my role as making choices that are in the best interest of everyone who is affected by the decisions the Board makes concerning the education and school experience of students and citizens in our District.

Being aware of the financial and governing history of MPUSD for the last 12 years, I am very happy to now be working with a new superintendent, dedicated principals. support staff, and numerous teachers who are highly qualified and dedicated to promoting optimal educational opportunities for all students and their families. My life and career paths have been committed to serving children and families in a variety of settings. I realize the importance of optimizing the education and life experience of all individuals so that they can make choices which will serve them well as they choose the paths they will develop and walk as they live out their lives.

My family has lived in Marina for the last 12 years, and includes a child who has attended Olson Elementary School, Los Arboles Middle School, and currently Monterey High School. I have served as a board member in the PTAs in all three schools, as well as served on the boards for the Gifted and Talented Education Program and the Monterey Academy of Oceanographic Science at Monterey High School. In addition to supporting numerous activities in MPUSD schools over the last 12 years via fundraising and grant writing, I have worked as an Oncology and Critical Care Nurse for over 20 years. I also work part time as a clinical Nursing Instructor in the Community College system. Prior to Proposition 13, I worked as an early childhood and kindergarten teacher for 6 years. I value the responsibility that being a Board member involves in promoting exceptional and equitable opportunities for all students, families, staff, and administration in developing their potential as human beings.

Debra Gramespacher - Clerk Vice-President

Trustee Area 2
Term of Office - December 2007 - November 2011

As the mom of 2 boys, who attended elementary school in Seaside, Middle School and High School in Monterey, my experience brings a respect for
the District's educational services and respect for our youth as individuals and future adults.

My goal within the Monterey Unified School District is to expand our educational opportunities in the Sciences, Arts, and Public Speaking so that every student has the opportunity to follow their passion and ultimately become well educated professionals contributing in their own personal way to the betterment of our community, as well as to see our
District become number ONE in the State.

With 20 years of experience in business and technology, I am an engineer with Northrop Grumman providing contracted support to implement
Congressional programs benefiting our service members and their families at the Defense Manpower Data Center. An active volunteer, I have tutored at schools, helped found the Education Foundation for MPUSD, and have held board positions with the PTA and a High School Academy.

My education started in Fresno, attending Clovis Unified School District before graduating from University of California, Santa Barbara, with a Double BA in Business Economics and Geography. During my studies I spent a year at the University of
Edinburgh, Scotland, prompting me to continue on to Germany, where I and my husband successfully managed a company designing and marketing
software in Europe for 14 years, witnessing the reconciliation of Eastern and Western Europe.

We moved to Seaside in 1998. My 2 sons took English as a second language their first year, moving on to become academic scholars; one majoring in engineering at the University of California at San Diego and the second a pre-med University of California Regents Scholar at Santa Barbara.

Richard G. Glenn

Trustee Area 3
Provisional Appointment
Term of Office: March 2011 - November 2011

Regena Lauterbach

Trustee Area 3
Term of Office:  December 2009 - November 2013

Crusader and Guardian - While teaching a class of kindergartners, I campaigned for school board with a desire to improve our District. The downside of my election was leaving those wonderful children, but the challenge is that I have their educational futures in my hands. With 32 years of experience in the classroom as a teacher, my favorite Board duty is visiting our varied school sites, meeting employees, and seeing public education in action. I am proud of our loyal employees for persevering and continuing to educate and support our children under difficult financial restraints. We, as a Board, are now in a position to move forward in a cautious manner. We must continue financial oversight, develop a Districtwide strategic plan, involve Peninsula leaders and communities, and instill a positive belief that we will improve our educational system. Working together as a Board and community we can achieve these goals.

Dr. Bettye Lusk

Trustee Area 2
Term of Office: December 2009 - November 2013

A Commitment to...Every Child

Every Child...A Success...Every Child...a tapestry woven piece by piece!!!! As a child, I learned how important and special it was to have great teachers. Growing up in the South in a one-room school taught me much about having a great family and the commitment of a great teacher. I decided then that I wanted to become a teacher. I wanted to pass on to other children my first teacher's gift of love, patience, and encouragement which enabled me to believe in my ability to become who I am today. As a Board member, my commitment is to be a wholehearted participant in the creation of a culture that would nurture and celebrate the success of every school in MPUSD.

The empowerment of all particpants...students, parents, teachers, classified staff, District staff, Board members, and our communities will foster opportunities to create an environment that will support the success of our children...our future. We are one another's greatest strength, and all are accountable for the outcomes. Mary McLeod Bethune says "All of my life I have worked with youth. I have begged for them and fought for them and lived for them and in them. My story is their story."

This is to be my legacy...what will yours be?