September 5, 2018 - If you are interested in deciding how to cast your vote in the upcoming school board election, you are invited to see them speak at the next Mariposa Democratic Club meeting. It is set for Saturday, September 8 at the Miners Roadhouse located at 5159 Hwy. 140 at 9:45 A.M.  People can arrive at 9:00 A.M. if they would like to order breakfast.

Incumbent Judy Eppler (pictured left) has worked for the school district for over forty years, including seven years on the Board of Education. During those years she served as a high school teacher and counselor, a Middle School Principal, and an Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum.

She has also consulted for the Fresno County Office of Education for the past several years on a part time basis. “That work allows me to stay current on issues related to education including facilities, teacher credentialing, state requirements, safety issues and funding regulations.,” says Eppler.

“As a MCUSD parent and I believe parents have the best knowledge about how their child functions and learns.  I think parents need to be involved in their child's school, and I am committed to listening to their ideas,” Eppler stated.

Eppler’s stated goal is to work with fellow Board members to address unfinished business that affects all students and their learning.  As she explained, “We need to address the overcrowding at Mariposa Elementary School, class sizes at Woodland, increasing the enrollment at Greeley Hill and Coulterville High School, utilization of the former Middle School site, the implementation of the Bond Master Plan, and hiring and retaining qualified employees at all levels.” 

The opponent is Christy Wall (pictured right) whose educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts with a major in Philosophy and a double minor in Math and Science. She has a Paralegal degree and worked in a large law firm in Bakersfield. She has taken courses towards her master’s degree in Education at Penn State University.

Wall has the primary educator for her children.   For over 20 years she has reviewed and implemented different curriculums, assessing their strengths and weaknesses and how they benefit a child's learning capacity. “I believe children deserve every opportunity to learn and reach their full potential.” states Wall.

Wall is also Red Cross Certified Lifeguard with CPR and a Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructor and teaches swim lessons at Mariposa County Parks and Rec.  Other volunteer duties include the Mariposa Bears Football and Cheer Board where she has helped that program to grow for over 10 years.  She is President-Elect with the Soroptimists an organization which helps women and girls to "be their best".  She is very committed to helping teen-age girls to overcome obstacles and live their dreams in the Dream It Be It program. She has been working within 4-H for over 10 years. She is a member of the Mariposa Sheriff’s Posse, helping rescue large animals from fire or other disaster. Wall also enjoys riding her horse at events to help patrol and keep the peace.

There will also be a short presentation by Kim Keith and Ginnie Day of the Mariposa County Health Dept. Tobacco Education Task Force. They will talk about the vaping epidemic affecting children and schools.

The new e-cigarette products have fruity flavors many people don’t realize the products include nicotine until they are addicted. Children have figured out how to buy these devices, which resemble computer flash drives, by using their parents online accounts.

 According to Keith, research indicates 80% of youth who use tobacco begin with flavored tobacco products. These products contain high levels of nicotine, a highly addictive substance. Research shows the brain’s peak period to develop addiction is in adolescence. Many communities are beginning to adopt local policies that reduce the sale and availability of flavored tobacco products, in an effort to prevent youth initiation of tobacco use and an overall reduction in tobacco use.  

As always, this event is open to the public. Free coffee and water will be available.