The author discusses bringing her perspective as an early childhood educator and developmentalist to her policy-making position as a Board member of the Pasadena Unified School District. Noting that the higher education standards adopted in many states as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 have impacted kindergarten programs and expectations of preschool or child care curricula, Cooper advocates the need for school boards to provide plans and oversight for transitioning children from preschool to kindergarten, and notes potential disconnects between a school board unrepresentative of the district that it serves.