Fowler, a resident of Lakewood Village, was appointed to the Sunnyvale School District Board of Education as a provisional member on Dec. 12 and will take the place of James Boyd, who had to resign from the board because of his relocation to Texas. Fowler will serve as board member until the elections in November 2003.

"I was already interested in running for the school district board next November," Fowler said.

However, her opportunity came early when Boyd's departure left the five-member board with a vacancy to be filled. Fowler was one of four candidates who submitted a letter of intent and was called for an interview. On Dec. 12, board members listened to each candidate's short speech and their answers to five questions and gave scores to each one. When there was a tie between Fowler and another candidate, Fowler's answer to one of the five questions broke the tie and put her in the lead.

"At first I didn't realize it was my name they called out," Fowler said.

She added that it was fun to be sworn in by her husband. Phyllis is married to Fred Fowler, the former mayor of Sunnyvale and a current council member.

"I'm pleased and very proud," Fred said. "The school district uses a very rigorous evaluation process, and I'm happy that the board recognizes the contributions that Phyllis would bring."

Joseph Rudnicki, the district's superintendent, said he is looking forward to having Phyllis on the district board. Among other responsibilities, the school board sets policy for the district, determines funding resources and passes standards for the curriculum.

"Phyllis has worked with bond issues and has been active in the community," Rudnicki said.

Phyllis worked with the Citizen Oversight Committee on Measure A, which passed by an overwhelming majority. Area schools benefited from the bond, which provided schools with much-needed funds for facilities modernization, she said. Working on the committee gave her some new experiences, such as making cold calls to constituents and walking precincts. She added that she felt the effort was worth it because children would benefit.

"Children are just so important," Phyllis said. "What they learn is as important as how they learn."

She said that her own experience with a learning problem inspired her to overcome the challenges. She said she could have benefited greatly from programs like Project H.E.L.P., which the district has been sponsoring since 1991. Project H.E.L.P. provides supplemental instructional opportunities to underachieving elementary-school age students. The program ensures that all children work to their full academic potential. Children participate in a year-round program of extended instruction.

Although Phyllis' problem, dyslexia, was not diagnosed until she was in her 20s, she had help in school and was able to face her learning challenges. She said she was also relentless in quenching her curiosity about different subjects, such as science and math, by going to her teachers.

Phyllis explained that she tries to instill the same kind of love for learning in the six members of her Brownie troop by involving them in science experiments and accompanying them on interesting field trips.

One way to ensure children receive quality education is by retaining and hiring good teachers, Phyllis said. It's been a challenge because of skyrocketing housing costs in the area, but she said she looks forward to working with the city on arranging affordable housing for school employees.

Phyllis already has a busy schedule. She's been a Restorative Justice Program volunteer for the past 15 months, as well as working full time at Fred Fowler and Associates, based in downtown Sunnyvale.

Being a provisional school board member makes Phyllis' schedule even busier, but she said she's ready for the challenge.

"There are a great number of things I need to be concentrating on for the next few months," Phyllis said.

The starting point for her preparation will be reading through stacks of workbooks, she said. A training program in February 2003 will bring her up to speed on school board issues, she said.

The imminent state budget cuts will definitely have an impact on education and schools, she said. It might come to delaying some school projects, and possibly even cutting some, she said.

"I want to make sure Sunnyvale continues to deliver the excellent education it has been to its children," Phyllis said.