My husband and I fully support Allison Panella to serve another term as a school board member for Kelseyville Unified School District.

We have two children who attend Kelseyville Elementary School, and one child who attends Konocti Christian Academy. Everywhere our kids are involved, Allison has been found volunteering her time. She’s been their coach for soccer, baseball and basketball. She has volunteered for the Kelseyville Elementary PTO at every event we’ve put on, and I can’t tell you how much it means to us to be able to have someone so reliable for these events.

In addition to volunteering, Allison and her husband are the first to step forward and help sponsor an event that promotes health and education in our children, such as the first Jog-a-thon our PTO put together in April.

I can honestly say that seeing all Allison does for our community and our schools has inspired me, and is the reason I have become so involved the last couple of years. Anytime I’ve come to her with a concern or issue, she’s helped me to organize a game plan to help resolve it, and she follows through.

Last year I mentioned to her that our schools could really benefit from some sidewalks, signage and street lights along Konocti Ave and Oak HIlls lane, since these roads see so much foot traffic from children going to the schools. That very week she was out there with her youngest daughter walking the route with me and helping me pick up garbage along the way.

Six months later Congressman Mike Thompson was presenting a check to the elementary school for the funds that would go towards creating a safer walking route along Konocti Ave.

During one of our PTO meetings last year, an issue was brought up that it was hard for some people to volunteer at school functions because they couldn’t afford the costs of doing the background check. Allison immediately came up with a solution, went to the school board with her proposal, and two months later was able to report back to us that from now on, all volunteer background checks will have the fees covered by the district.

We feel very honored to have Allison and her family be a part of our school district and our community and hope to see her be able to continue the amazing work she’s been achieving.

Sarah and DJ McGrath live in Kelseyville, California.