Millbrae has money on the mind

Barbaro, 47, is the president and general manager of Golden Gate Bolt and Supply Company in South San Francisco. As co-president of the PTA with Spring Valley, Barbaro helped raise $85,000 to help pick up areas in the classroom lacking because of budget cuts.

"I feel that I could do a much better job. I feel that I am in closer touch with the needs of the children, the teachers and the principals. We've cut out our teacher's aide, our art program, our janitors. Our principals are basically emptying the garbage cans. As a parent I have to step up and try to change this. And that's something they haven't been able to do in the past three years," he said.

The returning crew does share Barbaro's interest in increasing funds and fundraising.

Luxenberg, 60, a business analyst for Delta Dental, first ran four years ago. She was very involved with the PTA prior to joining the board. With funding from the state based on a per student basis, Luxenberg said Millbrae has been subjected "to a double whammy," with the state continuing to cut the budget and enrollment decreasing within the area.

"With the state budget this year, it's going to be very difficult," she said.

Millbrae has cut about $1.7 million in the district thus far.

"We've cut so many things that really make a difference. We've cut absolutely everywhere else. So in the future we need to pursue these revenue sources," Luxenberg said.

Shea, 55, runs a community swim club and has four grandchildren attending school within the district. She would be returning for her fourth term on the board.

"I think [the issue] we've been faced with in the past few years is funding. We've been able to keep the cuts as far away from the classroom door. We've made a lot of cuts, but not directly in the classroom," she said.

Shea would like to look into new funding sources to supplement the state income.

"I truly believe that I can make a difference with the kids, teachers and the staff at our schools," she said.

Miller, 76, started his involvement with schools through the PTA when his children were little. His youngest son just got his Ph.D., yet Miller decided to continue his efforts as a thank you for what the district provided for his own children.

This would be his third term on the board. "[The district has experienced] a long period of declining enrollment coupled with the state funding. But we've all worked together and come up with a balanced budget each time and kept the cuts away from the kids," he said.

While Miller said the board has kept the cuts away from the classrooms, he said restorations can be made as the financial problem is solved.

Dennis, 42, a lawyer by training, worked for the National Audubon Society and runs a non-profit music school. She has two girls in the Millbrae school district. She was PTA president and has volunteered in the schools since her oldest daughter started school.

"I decided to run because I really care. I'm an advocate for kids professionally and kind of personally as well. I also have a lot of policy training and legal training. I thought I could make a bigger impact for the kids on a district level," she said.

While Dennis said cuts and fundraising are important, it's the not answer.

"The only way to solve our budget problem in Millbrae is for the community members to come together, show a little outrage. Do advocacy work and talk to federal legislators. There's no way we can do this on a local level," Dennis said.

Dennis, who has experience lobbying on a federal level, said a really aggressive lobbying campaign is needed.

Another concern for Dennis is access for the English as a second language students, a large population within the Millbrae School District.

"We really don't have the staff resources to help these kids. Because of budget cuts, it's really hard on the teacher, but we do have aids. I think at my kids' school there is one aid for 35 kids struggling to learn the language," Dennis would like to see after school tutoring programs and volunteers who can help.