MURRIETA —— Jan Fletcher describes herself as someone dedicated to family and friends. She said she wants to take some of her energy and love of people and use it for the Murrieta Valley Unified School District, which is why she is seeking a seat on the school board in the Nov. 8 election.

"I just think I would be a good person to represent the community," said Fletcher, co-owner of the Murrieta-based Fletcher-Smith Salon. "I am part of it. I have my business here. I want to make a difference. I really want this opportunity. I am dedicated to the service of others. That's what I do."

She also said she understands the important issues facing the district: its need for a third high school and its booming student population growth; the possibility of asking voters to approve another bond measure; and the need for district leaders to work together.

"Sometimes we have to put our personal feelings aside for the betterment of our community," she said when asked about the acrimony among board members. "I want our school board to work well with each other."

The 20-year Murrieta resident is running for one of two seats on the board, challenging seven other candidates: incumbent Kris Thomasian, attorney Richard Ackerman, small-business owner Robin Crist, teacher Jacqueline Hanny, market researcher Wyatt Haupt, educational research consultant Sheree Jederberg, and pastor John Wells.

The other seat up for grabs belongs to Austin Linsley, who is not running for re-election.

Fletcher has five children and 20 grandchildren, some of whom attend Murrieta schools. She recently completed a three-year term on the city's Community Services Commission. She was also a softball coach for 30 years and has volunteered at several schools.

"It's personal for me," she said of her candidacy. "My kids and grandchild are involved in the schools. I think any person on the board should have a stake. I decided to run because I love Murrieta. It's the only place I'd want to live."

Her goals, if elected, include making sure the third high school is built and all of the options for paying for the campus, which is expected to cost $155 million, are explored, she said.

"People work hard for their money," she said. "They expect the board to examine the costs of the high school so every dollar spent is worth it and justified. How we fund it is a major issue. I hate unnecessary taxes and fees and levies. I want to make sure when we tell people we need their money, we actually need their money."

She also said that as a trustee, she would examine the school district's curricula to ensure vocational skills as well as college preparatory classes are offered, and that there is an emphasis on the arts and physical education as well as academics in place.

"We need to educate the university-bound as well as the one who is going to get a job after graduation," she said. "There are very bright people who don't want to go to college. We have to provide for them, too. I will look at the curriculum to see what we are teaching our children."

She said as someone who did a stint home-schooling a grandchild, she has come to have a newfound respect and admiration for teachers, and as a trustee she would listen to their concerns.

She said she believes she is a well-rounded, positive candidate who will work hard to improve the district and be honest with the community about educational issues affecting their lives.

She said she wanted to emphasize her love for her family and her personal relationship with Jesus Christ as two important attributes that describe who she is and what she stands for.

The Murrieta-Temecula Republican Assembly, a group of about 100 local residents who support conservative candidates, among other issues, is supporting Fletcher's candidacy.

"She hit a note that we like," said the group's president, Bob Kowell. "She came across to us as a sincere candidate that cared about the issues we care about —— conservative social issues."

Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com.