Meet Tara Boyce, Candidate For Livermore School Board

LIVERMORE, CA — Patch reached out to all candidates for the LVJUSD Board of Education with identical questions. Here are the responses from Tara Boyce, a business consultant and LVJUSD parent.

Responses have not been altered.

1. What is your personal, educational, and professional background?

I was born and raised outside of Scranton, PA and educated in the public schools. I was raised in a blue collar family which set the foundation for my work ethic. I earned a BA in Economics and Political Science from Wilkes University in PA then went on to earn an MBA from the University of Scranton while working full time. My career started in finance for a luxury retailer out of NYC. In 2007, I moved from PA to CA to work for Ross Stores which began my career shift from Finance to the layers between Technology and Finance. After leaving Ross, I went on to hold positions at Deloitte Consulting, Workday, RAND Corporation, and others before starting my own consulting firm during the pandemic where I engage with clients seeking creative solutions in their current architecture in all areas of Finance and adjacent areas.

2. How long have you lived in Livermore?

14 years

3. What brought you here?

I originally landed in San Ramon when I moved to CA but I was soon seeking a city with a small town feel and found it here in Livermore! Truth be told, I was looking for a certain plant for my garden and google led me to Alden Lane which was my first glimpse of Livermore. It was a downtown much like where I grew up that had folks walking, shopping, and eating together as a community.

4. How have you been involved in the community?

I have been an active member of the yoga community through Dragonfly studio. My passion for human rights and keeping folks safe led me to volunteer with Bay Area Crisis Nursery and Tri Valley Haven to serve some of our most at risk communities. Once I had children, my involvement has centered around their schooling and extra curricular activities.

5. What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges facing LVJUSD?

Reductions in funding from the state and expiration of grant funds coupled with increased needs of students following the pandemic. Evaluating and upgrading assets to ensure a quality educational foundation for EVERY child. Identify and support students facing academic or wellness issues as it is crucial for these needs to be met in order for students to thrive.

6. What are your plans for addressing them?

Working across the entire district to ensure redundancies are identified and eliminated to ensure that existing funding is used to its maximum benefit. Support identified improvements and development that satisfy recognized needs in our district and scrutinize proposals to ensure the most efficient solution is found. Continue to grow programs already in place to increase resiliency and growth mindset. Prioritize training for faculty and staff to increase abilities to recognize and support academic and wellness issues in a proactive manner.

7. What makes you the best candidate?

I bring a unique perspective from my blend of educational and professional experiences, not currently represented either on the board or in any current candidate, that allows me to be effective immediately in the areas of budget and finance. With young children just starting their education at Junction K-8, I am wholly invested in the growth and success of LVJUSD for years to come. I have always been an advocate for vulnerable communities and will continue this effort as a Board member to ensure their unique needs and safety are considered.

8. Outside of politics, what do you enjoy doing?

I am a voracious reader and always have been. As a child, the library was my favorite place and continues to be that to this day. Travel and food are my passions and I often combine them with my love of yoga by attending yoga retreats around the world. My children, a book, and a beach is my idea of perfection and you can often find us in Half Moon Bay doing just that! I am a huge movie buff and spend plenty of time at both of our movie theaters and love The Vine for its cozy couches and showings of Independent films.

9. Any other comments?

In a crowded field of candidates for School Board, we all have similarities but there are distinct differences between us. Voters should talk with us, research our backgrounds, and know our core values to choose a candidate that resonates with their idea of what an effective board member should be.