Paul Gardner, Member
"As parents and community members, our most important responsibility is the education of our children. By any standard, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District has excelled in delivering the best educational experience possible. However, many challenges to our excellence lie ahead. State and federal mandates are not fully funded. Many of our schools sites have been improved thanks to Measure "D" funds; many more are in need of modernization. As a "low wealth" district, per-student funding is below that of many of our neighboring districts. Finding and retaining qualified teachers is a constant challenge as we struggle to provide competitive and fair compensation in times of budget shortfalls. State accountability standards are in a constant state of flux. Nonetheless, I am honored to be a part of this community and this district, and look forward to continuing to work with my board colleagues, our educators, administrators, legislators and the community in meeting the many challenges we face to providing the best quality education to all our children."
Paul Gardner, a long-time year Bay Area resident with strong family ties to the San Ramon Valley, was elected to the Board of Education in November 2000. He and his wife Marilyn, a Danville native who graduated from SRVUSD schools, have lived in the San Ramon Valley since 1993. Both their sons attended district schools.
Paul is a Colorado native who received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Marketing from the University of Colorado in 1969. In 2000, he retired from Bank of America after over 30 years' service, and is currently a Senior Vice President of First Republic Bank in San Francisco. He believes his strong financial background and his passion for quality public education are important ingredients to his service on the Board of Education.
