Meet Lesli
I grew up in Southern California, studied accounting and went on to have a 10 year career in banking. Ultimately, I assumed the role of Vice President where I specialized in Entertainment Contract lending.
I met Peter, we were married in 1998 and we have two children, Andrew and Rachel. When our oldest started Kindergarten it became clear that I needed to be closer.
I stopped commuting to Beverly Hills and took on the role as CFO of our Calabasas based engineering firm. Like most parents in our community, we moved to Calabasas 20 years ago specifically to raise our children in Las Virgenes Unified School District. Although they didn’t appreciate it at the time, our kids were fortunate that I had the flexibility to help in the classroom and to volunteer in so many other ways.
What we found at Lupin Hill Elementary was a dedicated group of parents, teachers and administrators all striving to make a difference in each students’ education. During my years there, we started Pizza in the Park, an annual social event for new parents to meet the community before starting their children in kindergarten. I served countless hours at various school functions including school beautification projects, walk to school days, and the carnival.
In collaboration with other parents, we were able to convince the City of Calabasas to include grants to the PFC’s in their annual budget. These grants paved the way for a more sustainable budget at Lupin and ensured the continuation of teachers for Physical Education, Music, Art, and Computers. My roles included volunteer, Treasurer and President of the Lupin Hill PFC.
As my children were working their way through Lupin Hill, A.E. Wright and Agoura High School, I was also finding my path. I began digging into the numbers. My work in banking and business lending helped me to decipher the convoluted way California paid for public schools. I learned how important it is that leaders in our community advocate for resources with elected officials and listen to the needs of all stakeholders. I founded a non-profit, CURE, Californians United to Reform Education and travelled to Sacramento to speak before our state legislature.
As the kids entered middle school, I was appointed to the Measure E and G Oversight Committees. We looked deep into the LVUSD budget and made sure that all funds were accounted for and spent correctly.
My time as an LVUSD volunteer helped to expand my understanding of public schools and build open communication with teachers, administrators and our school board, but it was my service as a PFC board member, Treasurer and President at both the elementary and high school that I hold dear.
I have been the new mom dropping her son off at kindergarten. I have experienced unease as each of my children grew up and transitioned from elementary to middle school. I was conflicted when they entered high school where I was expected to both keep an eye on my teenagers and let them become independent. And I too have been both proud and nervous as they graduated and tried to find their way in this world.
My experience at LVUSD along with my business knowledge make me uniquely qualified to be your representative on our school board. Please vote, Lesli Kraut for LVUSD on November 5th.
