By Kathleen Acuff

When well-known schools volunteer Tammy Logan announced her withdrawal last week from the upcoming Los Altos School Board election, she cited a need for more time to organize and finance a winning campaign.

“Since filing, it has become obvious that earlier organization and intensive fund raising are required in such a competitive race. I will carry this valuable lesson forward into the next LASD election in 2007,” her written statement said.

Current trustees’ comments in recent district board meetings led Logan to expect to spend about $2,000 for a ballot statement and yard signs, she said.

“When I saw Mr. La Poll’s professionally produced campaign booth at the town picnic and talked with other candidates, it was obvious that this was a different kind of race,” she said. “It is obvious that a budget of $12,000-$15,000 is required to be competitive, an amount that I could not spend out of personal funds nor raise fast enough for the November election.”

Logan plans to talk up the three candidates she has endorsed - David Luskin, David Pefley and Mark Goines - to the school community.

She also plans to target her immediate neighborhood “to inform individuals who do not have children in our schools and may not be aware of upcoming district issues.”

Logan feels that the school board election is focused on the district’s issues with Bullis Charter School.

“While this is a major concern for adults in our towns, our children will be more affected by budget shortfalls, finishing our facilities improvement program and meeting state and federal program requirements. We need school board members who have a history of working positively for the district and can work together to protect and improve our excellent programs,” she said.