Leadership is important

The Right Choice for CVUSD

My educational background and professional experience, coupled with my proven leadership and community involvement, offer a unique and fresh perspective as a board member. I have the relevant knowledge, qualifications, skill set, relationships and professional experience to be a successful candidate and school board trustee.

Why Karen

I am excited to be running for a seat on the Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) Board of Education – the seat that will represent the Westlake area.  I have been an active parent leader, volunteer, and community member for the past 18 years, giving me a wealth of knowledge and experience that is hard to duplicate.

I believe in public education and the CVUSD. It’s why my husband and I moved to this community and chose to raise our family here. My children have benefited from their CVUSD education and I have devoted my time and energy over the years to support its mission.

I have four primary objectives in running for this position:

  • Reopen schools safely while also supporting remote learning choices. 
  • Ensure educational opportunity and success for every student.
  • Foster a positive environment which considers the physical and mental health of students. 
  • Provide effective and efficient board management and fiscal oversight.

I have been President of the Westlake Hills Elementary School PFA (Parent Faculty Association), President of the Westlake High School (WHS) PTSA (part of CA PTA), and Executive Vice President of the PTSA at Colina Middle School. I’ve raised money for student programs, advocated for safety measures, and assisted teachers with classroom and extra-curricular needs – including ten years of coordinating WHS theatre productions!  I have served on the District Advisory Council (DAC) for nine years, providing me with a better understanding of district-wide issues and opportunities and enabling me to see the challenges faced by other school sites. Through DAC and School Site Council, I have participated in a “best practices” exchange of ideas.

My professional background is business-focused. I have an undergraduate degree from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Harvard Business School. In my career, I worked with businesses on corporate strategy, marketing, and operational effectiveness. I will bring this knowledge and experience to our District. 

Over the next few months I will be reaching out for opportunities to meet people and share my vision.  And as we have learned here in the Conejo Valley, school board campaigns have become very competitive and expensive to run.  We expect to be challenged by well-funded opponents. Any support you can provide the campaign to help us get to the finish line would be much appreciated. Let’s get to work.

A special thank you to photographer Stephanie Jacobs sjacobsimages.com
© Copyright - Karen Sylvester for CVUSD School Board 2020