We have an outstanding school district, exemplified by our students' exemplary test scores, dedicated employees, sound fiscal health, and high levels of parent and community involvement. But I know we can be even better.

We must keep in mind the ultimate purpose of education: a foundation of skills and abilities that enable students to become contributing members of society, who can learn, think critically, communicate and interact. Students come to school with different learning needs that require different levels of resources. This is a reality we need to become better at addressing. Furthermore, the journey through public education should not be painful. It should be engaging and challenging; not defeating or boring. And it should be valued and respected for the gift that it is.

Rachel Hurd was elected to the Board of Education in 2006. After years of school volunteerism, serving on the Board of Education was a natural extension of Rachel's involvement and commitment to education in our community. She currently is a board liaison to the Facilities Oversight and Advisory Committee, the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs, the PTA Legislative Committee, and the Special Education Community Advisory Committee and is on the Finance Subcommittee, the District Negotiations Team, the Response to Intervention Task Force, the Math Acceleration Task Force, and the Parcel Tax Exploratory Committee.

Her school volunteerism began at Country Club Elementary, working in the classroom and serving on the PTA, site council and education fund. It expanded to the district level through her involvement in the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs. She served as Council PTA President during 2003-05 and continues to serve on that board as Special Needs Chairman, advisor, and a member of a number of committees. She also serves on the board of the 32 nd District PTA for Contra Costa County . Rachel has received Honorary Service Awards from the PTA Council, Country Club PTA and Pine Valley PTA.

As the parent of three children, two of whom have dyslexia, Rachel is interested in education for different learning styles and needs, particularly in the area of reading. With a small team, she piloted a reading intervention program designed to use parent volunteers as tutors. Now many other district elementary schools are using the program to help students. Rachel continues to tutor and feels that this is among the most rewarding work she does.

Rachel was raised in Palos Verdes in southern California where she attended public schools. She graduated from U.C. Davis with a B.S. in mechanical engineering in 1987. She worked for McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Company in Huntington Beach , initially doing engineering analysis, then strategic technology planning and management. When McDonnell Douglas adopted Total Quality Management, she became a trainer and facilitator and continued to work in a strategic planning and business development in the advanced technology division of the company. She “retired”from aerospace in 1994 when her husband Alec's career change took them to Stockton , CA . They have lived in San Ramon since 1997. Their two sons and one daughter attend California High, Pine Valley Middle and Country Club Elementary, respectively.