A year later, her Californians approved billions for new water storage. But on the evening of Oct. 3, no one from the Lafayette slate attended the candidates forum inside the multipurpose room at Stanley Middle School. Its always kind of interesting because its a nonpartisan position and there are five people on the board that basically have to work together to come to a consensus, and whatever personal opinions I have, thats obviously going to drive some of my thinking, but its always about whats best for the district as the whole and whats best for the students and the families. : Well, the fact is that many of the things that weve done have just started. Nancy Rieser. District programs shall be free from discrimination based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parent status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression or identity, military status (current or veteran), immigration status, the perception of one or more of these characteristics, or . By Helen O'Neal, Kiran Foster, Lulu Levy, Online Editor-in-Chief, Online Sports Editor, and Online Feature Editor. San Francisco tech investor and Woolways fellow early PayPal official David Sacks and his wife Jacqueline are the biggest donors to the Acalanes slates effort, having given almost half of the total. Severson: Well, I am the only candidate that has kids in the school district right now. District programs shall be free from discrimination based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parent status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression or identity, military status (current or veteran), immigration status, the perception of one or more of these characteristics, or association with a person with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics or special populations. In the race for I am an emergency medicine physician, so I have a lot of training in health and wellness, and again, thats really my own focus with my kids being involved in the Acalanes School District. Under the profile name Bay Area Dad, the user had posted about: lunatic educators spewing their hatred on a daily basis in public school; the absolute garbage of trans athletes competing in sports against others who match their gender identity; and, in May 2020, how people shouldnt wear masks. Jennifer Chen and Nancy Kendzierski participate in the Acalanes board candidates forum. FINGERPRINT APPLICATION FORM. I think she donated $250 $250 doesnt go very far these days, said Woolway, a former PayPal executive who served on former President Donald Trumps transition team. In 2020, Christopher Grove raised more than $32,000 for his successful run for the Acalanes board, about 85% of which came from outside the district. Donors from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Maryland have also contributed to their campaign. Number one is being a high school teacher, Ive also been interested in high school education because thats what I was; thats how I got into teaching. Virginia Thomas, a voice in the crowd said, referring to Ginni Thomas, the right-wing activist and wife of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. : Why are you running for the Acalanes School District Board this year? Right now we are doing a homework policy review because we are going to a new calendar next year and I was all for that. So thats always been a big issue with me. Blueprint: So you mentioned earlier that you applied to become a member of theSchool Board. See map: Google Maps Please join us for a virtual forum to meet the candidates for the Acalanes Union High School District Governing Board! // As the election for an opening in theAcalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) Governing Board comes to a close,Blueprintspoke with each of the four candidates, Paul Derksen, Christopher Severson, Nancy Kendzierski, and Bob Hockett, to discuss their campaign platforms. So all the candidates get asked what their priorities are and my main priorities are first of all, which is what you already mentioned, student wellness. Something I am proud of that we worked on there. So I just finished my first four-year term on the governing board. If you would like to help our coverage scope grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia. of the things that makes a school district great is the people there, and so a thing that were responsible for is helping to higher the superintendent and the principals and some other staff people. In Texas, a cell phone company called Patriot Mobile, whose owner says its driven by conservative Christian values, has been injecting huge amounts of cash into school board races with remarkable success., Woolway is part of a three-candidate slate that also includes Renee Nowac and Gabe Ledeen. Acalanes Union High School District Governing Board Candidate Forum No views Oct 13, 2022 Seven candidates run for three open positions in the Acalanes Union High School. So does that mean some of our below C students are struggling from block schedule, or are not benefiting from Academy? Related: All Three School Board Members Recalled In Landslide [SFist], Image: WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 21: (L-R) Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas sits with his wife and conservative activist Virginia Thomas while he waits to speak at the Heritage Foundation on October 21, 2021 in Washington, DC. I guess I would say theres an awful lot of work to be done on the things that weve done, Block schedule is by no means all the way through, the calendar shift is going to take place in the future, were just starting the discussion on homework related things, weve just introduced Wellness Centers in each of the schools, so were looking at that. Thank candidate for sharing their information on Voter's Edge. Which Bay Area city is best for you? The. The format will include brief candidate statements followed by questions. Its not strictly related to whether you do or dont, but thats an area that I think you have to think very carefully about making sure we have something for everyone, that not everyone whos doing whats called the A to G UC requirements, but that its a constantly evolving thing with the legislature deciding whether thats a thing at the high school level, at the community college level and the kinds of credentials. Renee Nowac, Christopher Severson and Mark Woolway attend the candidates forum for the Acalanes board. another seat on the board, special education teacher Anait Letona got almost $10,400 of her $13,500 from public education group San Ramon Valley Education Association in Dublin, putting her ahead of college health care instructor Cheri Calcagno and incumbent Mike Maxwell, who has reported no contributions. We educate every student to excel and contribute in a global society. But, I think I can do a good job, so Im really hoping people will support me. U.S. President | Blueprint: So you were President of the Orinda School Board District, correct? Students: Please log in using your auhsdschools.org email address and network password you received at registration days. Company size 1-10 employees Headquarters Moraga, California Locations 310 MORAGA RD. Some students were unsettled and unsure of the connotations of the flyers. The Acalanes Union High School District's Governing Board functions as the legislative body of the district and establishes policies and goals by which the school district is operated. and efforts to make curriculum more inclusive. Blueprint: Do you have any ideas on how to combat teacher shortages? : Yeah, so a lot of what we work on is budgetary stuff because, again, one of the things the board is tasked with is looking over finances to make sure the finances are going well, so we worked a lot with that. So the school board sets a strategic direction for the district, so I wouldnt necessarily say that I would take any kind of initiatives, but there could be things that the school board as a whole directs the superintendent and the staff to look into, so, whatever things come up. So thats something Im trying to focus on. Nice if it was done in a civil manner. She grew up in the East Bay and graduated from Northwestern University, where she studied journalism and literature. Occupation: Acalanes Union High School District Governing Board Member Mark Woolway 11035 votes 8.26%. : Because I still have things to contribute. That phenomenon has also landed here in the Bay Area. websits, // As the Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) and Lafayette School District (LAFSD) school board elections approach, candidates have been working to gain popularity amongst voters to secure their seats. I thought it was so unprecedented, just putting [flyers] on random strangers cars, especially students too. transgender I think one thing Im hoping is that one of the school board members thats rolling off brought a little bit of financial background to the table, and I think with some of my background in my professional work and my volunteer work as treasurer dealing with the financial side, Im kind of hoping to bring that to the table as one of the areas to stand out compared to the others. The Chronicle describes Woolway as a former PayPal executive who served on former President Donald Trumps transition team.. Neighbor warned neighbor that the conservative movement to flip school boards couldve made it to Contra Costa County. // As the Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) and Lafayette School District (LAFSD) school board elections approach, candidates have been working to gain popularity amongst voters to secure their seats. : Yeah. Its nice to have a mix, but I think its helpful to have some experience. But the candidates those who responded to messages say they are falsely accused. Its nice to have a mix, but I think its helpful to have some experience. I guess I would say theres an awful lot of work to be done on the things that weve done. smoothly and that kind of thing, but I mean, its up to the school board to set a strategic direction. Accidental overdose deaths in San Francisco, largely driven by the proliferation of fentanyl, continue to decline slightly in number from a peak in 2020. I thought it would be a good step and I was hoping I would bring a lot of contacts and experience in. Under block schedule, weve had an increase in the number of students getting Ds and Fs last year. Barbara Vargen-Kotchevar. on her campaign Facebook page. Blueprint: Why should a potential voter choose you for the schoolboard? My first-grader just needed to sign a pledge saying, If you see someone being bullied, tell a teacher, said the mother, adding that someone had been putting Trump stickers on their yard signs. Sometimes things happen that can make it difficult. Ballotpedia covers public school districts in the 100 largest cities in America by population, as well as the 200 largest public school districts by student enrollment. Screenshots ricocheted across Nextdoor and Facebook in late September. Curran learned that Gabe Ledeen had been a guest at an event put on by the influential right-wing Federalist Society. Community members attend an Acalanes Union High School District Governing Board campaign forum in Walnut Creek. The Academy issue was also part of that. You know, really go out and sell yourself. Note: The League of Women Voters does not endorse or oppose candidates. The forumcan be watched live on LWVDVYouTubechannel. Its not strictly related to whether you do or dont, but thats an area that I think you have to think very carefully about making sure we have something for everyone, that not everyone whos doing whats called the A to G UC requirements, but that its a constantly evolving thing with the legislature deciding whether thats a thing at the high school level, at the community college level and the kinds of credentials. Joe Kukura is an SFist staff asst. He was in a kitchen, leaned over, looking frustrated. Public policy. Do you have a view on that or any other issues you want to focus on? Three individuals, including two incumbents, filed as candidates for three open positions on the Acalanes Union High School District Governing Board. The district operates four high schools. Oakland started the year with 98 teacher vacancies and by the start of October, they were down 48, but these are still teacher vacancies that we dont have because this is a popular place to teach because the kids are so motivated, the community is so supportive, and so most teachers that come here stay because its a great place to teach. Mark Woolway, a father of four, is running for Acalanes School Board in San Francisco's Bay Area. Typical campaigning has occurred through postcards sent to residents, lawn signs, and word of mouth. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Elections in 2023 | : Why should a potential voter choose you for the schoolboard? That looked off, said Curran, whose daughter will in a few years attend high school in the Acalanes district. The challenge success is ongoing in terms of trying to challenge this notion of what is success and about that well being of our students. Clarence Thomas has now served on the Supreme Court for 30 years. So weve introduced two and were ready for our third, and as a result of that, there will probably be a review of graduation requirements. I dont see it so much as I want to do this or that, but rather a continuation of the many initiatives. The district serves grades 9-12 and is "considered one of the highest performing districts in California." The district has four high schools, an alternative school, and an adult education program. The candidates connections to Trump and other conservative voices as well as controversial tweets by one Lafayette candidate have caused some parents to fear the groups are part of a national movement to flip school boards amid conservative backlash to COVID protocols, Hockett: One issue that I am trying to focus on in particular is the teacher shortage in California, which is very major. Our students and community will continue to benefit from their leadership, knowledge and experience. Please review our BoardDocs website for updated meeting times, meeting agendas and minutes. He was in office from 2002 to 2011. No one from the Lafayette slate responded to requests for comment. I want students who are challenged, but that are healthy and that their health is good. Across the country, right-wing groups are pouring money and support into local school board races amid lingering outrage over COVID closures and concepts such as white privilege being taught in schools. Before you can train to become a PSYOP Soldier, youll need to pass a 10-day . * Web site address is provided to CDE by the school district District Reports. As much as youve been involved with schools, its different being on the board, but for me, its been a wonderful experience in no small part because of the people, the students, the faculty, and all of our staff. Whatever your feelings about the SF school board recall election last February, it certainly benefited somewhat from support from a COVID-denying, anti-masker element, and had overlap with the Republican-led Recall Gavin Newsom campaign. His name was already on everything including the ballot. About 83% of the Acalanes groups campaign funds came from donors located outside the district, paper adds, noting that school board races nationwide are being flooded with money from out-of-state conservative organizations. It was the source of the money, however, not the small amount, that caused worry for some. The Chronicle reports that one of candidates in Novembers Acalanes Union High School District Governing Board has oddly received a contribution from Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who seems to have played a role in the January 6 insurrection (and lives 3,000 miles away from Acalanes High). A 26-year-old mystery out of San Luis Obispo came to a conclusion Tuesday, as Paul Flores was found guilty in the murder of 19-year-old Kristin Smart. That usually never happens but mainly for other reasonsfor economics or for other districts, they have greater ability to say, Well I know youre going to teach history and we have a history opening where maybe here, we say, Well, we know you want to teach history but right now we need English so maybe later on. As one of the other candidates said, theoretically voters couldnt go wrong with picking any three of them. Hockett: One thing thats different from the city council is that it is only education, which is nice, but an ongoing issue is a fiscal issue and itll always be an ongoing thing. Copyright 2022 Acalanes Union High School District. Woolway told the Chronicle, If the concern is that its a Republican movement, Im not even a Republican, despite his affiliation with the Trump administration. I am a current Special Education tea. Their supporters and even some slate candidates said they felt attacked. So there is a whole survey and the first one was done three years ago and one last year and a large percentage of our students district-wide report that they are not getting enough sleep, they are really stressed out, they are spending two and a half hours plus on homework every night, plus on weekends. How to enjoy WorldPride 2023 - Australia's biggest LGBT party,After a couple of years of muted Mardi Gras, Sydney is back with a rather big glitterball bang next month when WorldPride rolls into town. Counties | I mean, I do hope if I get elected to be involved with the implementation of the new school calendar to make sure that it runs smoothly and that kind of thing, but I mean, its up to the school board to set a strategic direction. Three former students of Miramonte High School in Orinda filed a lawsuit earlier this month against the school and the Acalanes Union High School District, alleging both were negligent in allowing a former teacher to continue teaching after officials knew he was sexually abusing them. All rights reserved. schools letting young students read books about trans people It has 1,303 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1. While it is not unusual for campaigns to promote themselves in an election, students had varying opinions on campaigning at school-related events. Derksen: So basically, Ive spent the last 15 years or so volunteering at schools when my kids started in the public schools, and so I did a lot of PTA volunteer functions as treasurer, president, auction chair etc. While the Acalanes slate isnt the first in a local school board to have raised money primarily from outside the district, it is the first time the issue has become a flash point in the community, locals say. In California, Republicans have pointed to local school board races as a place they can win elections. And with my background, I think I can make a really good contribution to, and of course, the academics are important, but I think whats more important is how our students are doing from a wellness and mental health standpoint. : Im excited to help the high schools keep moving along, and for where we can to do even better. Career technical education is an area and linked learning is an area that is constantly being reviewed because of trying to make sure all students have a path, but not every student is intending to go to a four-year university, but career technical is actually a combination. Livestreaming begins at 7:00 pm. Woolway is one of three candidates campaigning in lockstep for majority control of the Acalanes Union High School District Governing Board in the Nov. 8 election. I think that with the number of initiatives we have going in the very early stages, its helpful to have someone with experience on the board. Weve been lucky so far. Woman found dead near tree limb at Golden Gate Park identified as San 49ers game review: What happened in the worst half of Brock Purdys NFL conservative activist associated with Ginni Thomas and Trumps former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, schools letting young students read books about trans people, criticizes sex education and critical race theory, Which Bay Area city has best quality of life? Help expand Ballotpedia's elections coverage - volunteer with us. I thought it would be a good step and I was hoping I would bring a lot of contacts and experience in. conservative activist associated with Ginni Thomas and Trumps former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, Where I taught, it was 40 students per class and so these types of things and trying to keep on top of pay and financial issue, but also trying to keep our working condition in such that were a place you want to teach and keeping our beneficial salaries right at the top so we can be in that. 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