Meet the Candidate: Valli Wigt, Ceres Unified School Board Trustee, Area 3

The following is a questionnaire sent out by The Bee to candidates for the November 2009 election. Candidates supplied the answers, and they are being published it their unedited form.

What is your full, legal name?

Valli G. Wigt

What name do you prefer be used in print?

Valli Wigt

What office do you seek?

Ceres Unified School Board Trustee, Area 3

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

As a retired teacher, I still want to stay in touch with the educational system, and this is a great opportunity to represent and provide support to school personnel and families in my community.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

My first priority will be to establish a relationship with the other board members and to visit school sites to get a feel for what issues are most important.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I was raised in a farm family, and every summer and fall for many years we picked almonds and walnuts around my grandparents’ vineyard. Kids at school always made fun of me because my hands were stained for a month. My parents never had the opportunity to attend college, so they stressed the value of education. Because I wanted to become a teacher, I worked hard to achieve good grades to be on the honor roll, and I put myself through college with the help of scholarships, loans, and a part-time job at a department store. My parents always stressed that if you do a job you should do it right, and I’ve always lived by that motto. No matter what I undertake, I always give it my all.

Where do you work and what is your job title? (If retired, list position before retirement)

Retired teacher; however, I teach the Academic Intervention Program after school.

How old are you and where were you born?

57 on Oct. 21, born in Stockton, CA

What is your spouse's name, if any?

Pete Wigt

What are the names and ages of your children, if any?

Gabe Lawson, 31 years; Max Wigt 26 years

Please list the schools and colleges you attended, the degrees you attained and when.

Graduated from Lodi High School in 1970; San Joaquin Delta College 1972 with an AA degree; Cal State University, Stanislaus in 1974 with a BA in Spanish

Have you ever held an elected or appointed public office? (Include dates and office title)

No

Have you run before for an elected public office? (Include dates and exact office title)

No

Approximately how much money do you expect to spend on your campaign?

$2500-$3000

Have you ever been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation? If so, please explain and include dates and locations.

No

Have you or a business you owned or had principal interest in ever filed bankruptcy? If so, please include dates and the location the bankruptcy was filed.

No