Meanwhile, larger amounts of more traditional special interest money are playing a role in local school board races, with considerably less controversy. I was on the Orinda School Board four years ago, and so I worked with elementary schools, and thats one of the feeder districts for the Acalanes district and we were able to do a lot of good stuff there, so Im hoping to continue some of that good work on the Acalanes. Some question the effectiveness of the flyers placed during the football game and their benefits in gaining support for the upcoming elections. Blueprint: Ok and one of my last questions: Why do you think a voter should choose you for the school board? There was quad discussion about that, students were unsure about what it was going to be about, teachers were kind of split in terms of pros and cons, and so that was a major issue for not only in terms of if we should do it or not, but also the year-long process of getting ready for it. Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Baker and Bauer-Kahan Speak in School-Wide Election Simulation, Volleyball Stages Comeback to Defeat San Marin, https://www.cocovote.us/acalanes-union-high-school-district/. | Elections take place at Veterans Memorial Building in Lafayette on Nov. 6. Diablo school system will hold its first district elections. Cities | He covers criminal justice issues, often with a focus on injustice, on the Race and Equity team. Dont forget the new standards, where weve introduced the common core, but the next generation of science standards are being implemented. The joint Lafayette campaign issued a statement complaining that their private social media profiles had been mined for screenshots, while acknowledging some of McSorleys tweets could seem inflammatory.. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images). All rights reserved. Questions may be submitted in advance by email tovoter.services [at] lwvdv.org. Parent Education on Sports and Wellness hosted by Dr. Doug Gardner, Parcel Tax Exemption Forms and Frequently Asked Questions for Seniors, Contra Costa County Career Technical Education (ROP), Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Aquatics Coordinator at Acalanes Union High School District Novato, CA. Blueprint: What do you think is your primary platform or mission? 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. And so how does someone really stand out? In the Lafayette race, incumbents Rob Sturm and David Smith have raised $6,000 and $15,000, respectively. * Web site address is provided to CDE by the school district District Reports. Rogers said hes mostly seen this tactic in politically contested areas, where the Republican-Democrat split is much closer than in the East Bay. Acalanes Union High School District is a public high school district in Contra Costa County, located in the Bay Area of California. For more information, email EDJOINHelpdesk@SJCOE.Net . He was on the ballot in the general election on November 8, 2022. If you would like to help our coverage scope grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia. 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. Acalanes Union High School District, California, 100 largest cities in America by population, Evaluation of California school district websites, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Acalanes_Union_High_School_District,_California&oldid=8302885, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections. to see it through and hopefully, the decisions are the best for the community. 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. : Well hopefully because I am qualified, experienced and passionate. Rain finally came to California. I assume its because shes a friend of my family and wanted to show support, Ledeen, who calls himself a moderate, said in an email to The Chronicle. smoothly and that kind of thing, but I mean, its up to the school board to set a strategic direction. 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. 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. One of the candidates on the Lafayette slate, retired police officers Robb McSorley, has previously sounded off on Twitter about his disdain for trans athletes competing against others of their gender, and he railed against mask wearing (of course) back in May 2020. Clarence Thomas has now served on the Supreme Court for 30 years. Dont forget the new standards, where weve introduced the common core, but the next generation of science standards are being implemented. I will say that personally, I think all the candidates are qualified. 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. Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. ACALANES UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT is a company based out of 310 MORAGA RD, Moraga, California, United States. Im willing to give these new voices a chance, she said. Kendzierski: Well hopefully because I am qualified, experienced and passionate. Stephanie Travis. Derksen: Yeah. The Acalanes slate reported raising just $10,700 when the numbers were released last week. The flyers included the names of the six candidates and stated, The only MAGA APPROVED candidates for the 2022 Lafayette and AUHSD school boards!. The three share a website, treasurer, finances and even yard signs that feature all of their names. See map: Google Maps Please join us for a virtual forum to meet the candidates for the Acalanes Union High School District Governing Board! Its always going to be a challenging issue and always kind of what we focus on. Acalanes Union High School District is a school district in California . Hey everyone; my name is Christopher Grove and I am running for School Board in the Acalanes Union High School District! So there are a number of things going on. So like you kind of said, Im open to hearing whats going on and what are the important issues, and working within the team to figure out the best solution for the district. Please save your work frequently! Occupation . Hopefully, its driven by what the student needs are. The Acalanes district encompasses high schools in Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga and Walnut Creek, four suburbs on the eastern side of the Oakland hills, where typical home values often well exceed $1 million, according to Zillow. 20 of US Schools have Uniform Policies (Up 8) School uniforms are more popular than ever in the United States. But, I think I can do a good job, so Im really hoping people will support me. 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. We are three actively engaged parents that are concerned about this communitys children, the fiscal stability of our schools, and that parents have felt unheard and sidelined, particularly during the pandemic, the Lafayette candidates said. Joshua Sharpe joined The San Francisco Chronicle in February 2022. Jobs - Acalanes Union High School District | EDJOIN Notice of Scheduled Maintenance: Please note that we will be conducting server maintenance for the next few weekends. They won't say anything? The board is responsible for setting the overriding policies of the district. They are elected at-large by the registered voters of the district and generally meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Before long, local sleuths found a Twitter account that appeared to belong to Lafayette slate candidate Robb McSorley, a retired police officer and high school football coach. Do you have a view on that or any other issues you want to focus on? The Student Newspaper of Acalanes High School, CategoryNewsPosted onOctober 16, 2022AuthorAcalanes BlueprintLeave a comment, By Helen ONeal, Kiran Foster, Lulu Levy, Online Editor-in-Chief, Online Sports Editor, and Online Feature Editor. Blueprint: So one of my questions was going to be what initiatives you plan to take, but it sounds like one of your goals is to be more nonpartisan. not specifically the country, but what we should do to make sure a community is educated because thats how we can learn and work together, hopefully. Note: The League of Women Voters does not endorse or oppose candidates. Students: Please log in using your auhsdschools.org email address and network password you received at registration days. Thats my hope. School Board Campaigning at the Acalanes vs. Campolindo Football Game. Acalanes Union High School District - No Election. My Top 3 Priorities So I just finished my first four-year term on the governing board. The Acalanes Union High School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. When I retired, I moved back up here about ten years ago and four years ago I ran, and now I am running for re-election. Curran learned that Gabe Ledeen had been a guest at an event put on by the influential right-wing Federalist Society. The Chronicle reports that one of candidates in November's Acalanes Union High School District Governing Board has oddly received a contribution from Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme. She has covered state government from Sacramento since 2016 and has worked at The Sacramento Bee, The Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times. He is a native of South Georgia, in the Okefenokee Swamp. 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. All rights reserved. But dropping out of a joint campaign is a complex proposition. While it is not unusual for campaigns to promote themselves in an election, students had varying opinions on campaigning at school-related events. I know student stress is a really big thing that the district is dealing with. Blueprint: Why should a potential voter choose you for the schoolboard? So, you know, one of the things that came out of [the Contra Costa Television round table] is that there are essentially four qualified candidates. Get all the latest & greatest posts delivered straight to your inbox, Bizarrely, Clarence Thomass Wife Is Pumping Money Into an East Bay School Board Race, Republican-led Recall Gavin Newsom campaign, received a contribution from Ginni Thomas, played a role in the January 6 insurrection, All Three School Board Members Recalled In Landslide [SFist], SF Police and Sheriff Unions Engaged in Bizarro Social Media Fight Over Staffing at SFO, Newsoms Proposed Budget Slashes $2 Billion From Public Transportation, Legislators Up In Arms, Expos Finds San Francisco Doled Out $90M Last Year to Nonprofits That Are Not In Good Standing With the State. Five citizens are elected to serve overlapping terms of four years each. Click on the foundation logo to learn more about our four parent foundations. I thought it would be a good step and I was hoping I would bring a lot of contacts and experience in. I am a current Special Education tea. 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. and displaying flags promoting sexual orientation, unlimited gender identities, according to her website. The Acalanes Union High School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. reported. So this is an ongoing issue. Five citizens are elected to serve overlapping terms of four years each. This school district is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates. You know, you walk around here and its thirty students per class. A year later, her Californians approved billions for new water storage. Thats the number one reason why I am running is to try and promote student wellness and make high schools here a little bit better place to beless stress, more feeling safe, and things like that. State executives | 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. : Ok and one of my last questions: Why do you think a voter should choose you for the school board? 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. What originally made you want to apply? 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. Theyre under the umbrella of the same campaign structure, and all have the same website and they also seem to be aligned with another three-candidate slate in a Lafayette school district race. The incumbent candidates answered questions from a moderator, then from the audience. : Im excited to help the high schools keep moving along, and for where we can to do even better. U.S. Congress | Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Please join us for a virtual forum to meet the candidates for theAcalanes Union High School DistrictGoverning Board! If the concern is that its a Republican movement, Im not even a Republican, Woolway, who said he doesnt identify with either major party, told The Chronicle via email. We cant get the other people to come in? Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox. Federal courts | Nice if it was done in a civil manner. Blueprint: So I know youve already been in the heat of the school board. Derksen: Okay. Acalanes High School (1971 - 1972) Lafayette, CA. transgender Typical campaigning has occurred through postcards sent to residents, lawn signs, and word of mouth. Which Bay Area city is best for you? Since there was an even number of candidates and open spots, Susie Epstein, Tom Mulvaney and Richard Whitmore will be appointed in lieu of election. 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. Spats broke out between the slates supporters and critics. . Local parent Chad Curran was put off by the way the candidates had teamed up. It was the source of the money, however, not the small amount, that caused worry for some. However they still remain at crisis levels, according to a new report from the city's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). I will say that personally, I think all the candidates are qualified. Lafayette 94549-2623: Phone . As a volunteer school legislative representative for many years, I gained significant knowledge of education legislation and school funding and have worked with all of the schools and partner districts in the Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) attendance area. $5 million for each longtime Black resident? Open Session typically begins at 7:00 p.m. Closed Sessions and Study Sessions may begin earlier.Meetings are held in the Community Room of the Acalanes Union High School District Office, at 1212 Pleasant Hill Road in Lafayette, unless otherwise posted. And when you have great people, things go much more smoothly than they would otherwise. Blueprint: And if elected, what are student issues you want to focus on? Has a right-wing movement infiltrated Bay Area school boards? 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. Both have continually demonstrated a thoughtful insight into, and a deep commitment for, meeting. It went on to address the rumors about their intentions. conservative activist associated with Ginni Thomas and Trumps former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, Woolways co-candidate Gabe Ledeen told The Chronicle his team, rounded out by candidate Renee Nowac, hasnt received any help from the California Republican Party, Parent Revolt or any other organization. This election, nearly 80 people are campaigning for 40 available seats on 17 school boards in Contra Costa County alone. A service to celebrate Mr. Acosta's life will Kenneth Acosta (D), 60 . You know, really go out and sell yourself. Parent Revolt, Acalanes High School is a top rated, public school located in LAFAYETTE, CA. Candidates for the Acalanes Union High School District Governing Board onstage at Del Valle Education Center in Walnut Creek. By Helen O'Neal, Kiran Foster, Lulu Levy, Online Editor-in-Chief, Online Sports Editor, and Online Feature Editor. There, his reporting helped free two innocent people from incarceration, including one man who was 20 years into a life sentence and one facing life. success. 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, : Yeah. 17 cars broken into on a single night in this San Francisco neighborhood. Thats the number one reason why I am running is to try and promote student wellness and make high schools here a little bit better place to be. Stay up to date! District Details. I want students who are challenged, but that are healthy and that their health is good. His father, Ruben Flores, was found not guilty by a separate jury of being an accessory after the fact. Kendzierski: Well, the fact is that many of the things that weve done have just started. Blueprint: And why should a voter choose you for the school board? Reviews from ACALANES UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT employees about ACALANES UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. One New York political action committee, 1776 Project PAC, endorsed more than 100 school board candidates this year in Florida, Texas, Virginia and Pennsylvania with 35 wins in August alone, Politico reported, the Chronicle points out. Screenshots ricocheted across Nextdoor and Facebook in late September. Im trying to find out myself, said the moderator, laughing. 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. 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 . Hopefully, its driven by what the student needs are. These guys sit back and wait for people to come to us and now we need to get out there and recruit. 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. Below, you will find their transcripts, as well as the recordings of each candidate. Accidental overdose deaths in San Francisco, largely driven by the proliferation of fentanyl, continue to decline slightly in number from a peak in 2020. . Martha Goralka, LWVDV Voter Services Chair, Candidates' Forum, Acalanes Union High School District - October 13 (online only), The format will include brief candidate statements followed by questions. One New York political action committee, 1776 Project PAC, endorsed more than 100 school board candidates this year in Florida, Texas, Virginia and Pennsylvania with 35 wins in August alone, Politico Local parent Anthony Severo said he wanted to know for sure where the candidates stood, especially on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives in the schools. Theres a desire to see local school boards and local school politics as a way to heighten conflict over divisive cultural issues, he said. Blueprint: And why are you running for re-election? John Rogers, an education policy expert at UCLA, said Republicans in California and nationally see school board races as a way to drive turnout. Trying to raise more awareness about equity issues that will be ongoing, and trying to make sure our programs are for all students. Acalanes Union High School District 1212 Pleasant Hill Road, Lafayette, CA 94549 (925) 280-3900 Website 6 Schools 5,655 Students Grades 9-12 & Ungraded 1 Elementary School 1 Middle School 6 High Schools 6 Total Schools RATINGS District Summary Ratings A larger number of schools in this district are rated above average in school quality. . Three candidates for the Acalanes Union High School District Governing Board have pulled in more than $10,000 in campaign contributions, much of it from the insurrectionist wing of the Republican party. About half of his funding came from the Washington, D.C., group Leadership for Educational Equity, which helps people run for local education jobs and is run by a former CEO of Teach for America. So that whole issue of how does Academy period work and how do we target the kids who need remedial help vs. the kids who are more or less on their own. Apr 2017 - Apr 20171 month. 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. Please review our BoardDocs website for updated meeting times, meeting agendas and minutes. And there is also clearly a trend that the right-wing outrage machine has identified of taking over local school boards as their new culture-war front, with an agenda to ban books and push batshit theories about litter boxes in schools. I know these initiatives have given my kids a sense of belonging, he said. but rather a continuation of the many initiatives. More than an hour in, an elderly attendee with large glasses appeared on the screen. Hockett: Right. One of the big arguments was itll be a true two-week vacation, meaning a semester break and no homework and I was very adamant about that. Public policy. In education, theres never going to be a time where we say, Oh, solved that problem and now we are moving on. 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. 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. 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. Meetings are held in the Community Room of the Acalanes Union High School District Office, at 1212 Pleasant Hill Road in Lafayette, unless otherwise posted. 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. Parents If you have not logged into this site before, please click Create New Account to register. We and our former colleagues on the Acalanes Union High School Board, Vanessa Crews, Susie Epstein, Tom Mulvaney, Margot Tobias, Fred Weil and Richard Whitmore, would like to recommend. Gavin Newsom, former San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin and several members of the San Francisco school board. How to vote | So its kind of listening and hearing whats going on and whats playing here in the district and going from there. Under block schedule, weve had an increase in the number of students getting Ds and Fs last year. We have a growing teacher shortage thats going to hit us for the next few years and we need to prepare for it, and Im a former teacher, but theres nothing more important to a childs education, other than the home of course, than the teachers, and that the most important determination of a students progress is the teachers the students have, so Im really focusing on that, which others really arent. Knowing that everyones attention is about making things right here and not about pursuing personal agendas has been really nice. // 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. Blueprint: Why are you running for the Acalanes School District Board this year? // 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. 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. So thats always been a big issue with me. 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. : And why should a voter choose you for the school board? 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 something Im trying to focus on. I noticed a bunch of flyers on all of the cars, and then [there was] one on my car. National Republican groups often help conservative candidates through informal networks of foundations, think tanks and legal advocacy groups. About 83% of the Acalanes groups campaign funds came from donors located outside the district, according to financial filings. 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. Severson: 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. Please review our BoardDocs website for updated meeting times, meeting agendas and minutes, Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). During the forum, the Acalanes three said they support diversity efforts, didnt believe in banning materials and thought the district had great programs for trans students, but expressed frustration over the school boards October 2020 decision not to return to in-person learning. Has a right-wing movement to flip school boards really landed in the Bay Area? Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 187 188 189 190 Next Weve been lucky so far. Its a different job than being an advocate or volunteer, but I have worked with so many different districts as a result of my volunteer work that it seemed like a logical step, and I was interested in the kinds of governing structures and issues that are tackled at the governing board level. So does that mean some of our below C students are struggling from block schedule, or are not benefiting from Academy? the Acalanes slate answered the question in broad responses about the importance of sharing different viewpoints and keeping politics out of the classroom. There seems to be an elephant in the room, said the man. Blueprint: Can you share what some of your experiences have been over the past four years as a governing board member? This is a high volume role, requiring me to prioritise and manage an extensive portfolio of candidates through the vetting process. Our students and community will continue to benefit from their leadership, knowledge and experience. I was born and raised in Lafayette, I am a graduate of Acalanes, and I taught government history in high school for 33 years down in Southern California. 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. 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). Could you just expand on that? School districts | Could you just expand on that? Acalanes Union High School District is a school district in California. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. We blew our chance to use it, Drake-backed fried chicken chain opens first Oakland restaurant this week. didnt attend. Its mystifying that Ginni Thomas would contribute $250 to this race, said Orinda mother Jill Kwan-Jacobs. Blueprint: So you mentioned earlier that you applied to become a member of theSchool Board. Andrew M. HR . It has 1,303 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1. alix miraculous idaho state fair concerts 2022. pier 1 glass dining table . On top of which, we need to make sure we stay fiscally stable because well see with a new governor, whoever is elected, how the state is funding schools in ways that largely we dont control. who have advanced the lie that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. The board is responsible for setting the overriding policies of the district. Acalanes Union High District California Districts California High Schools Education Home 5 high schools Sort by: SEARCH BY : AP and Advanced Placement are registered trademarks of the. Like what were some of the issues you worked on and something you are particularly proud of over there? Its nice to have a mix, but I think its helpful to have some experience. Chicago, Illinois 60690-1979 Phone 312-534-5388 Fax 312-751-8307 . Ana Puntch. Board Members: Kristin Connelly President Contact member Transition to In-Person Instruction & COVID-19 Safety Info, Educational Services - Old - Deletion Pending Aida's Decision, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Acalanes (DEI), Enrollment - Registration, Residency & Transfers. 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. : Well, I have been a very active parent volunteer for a number of years and have a number of friends who have been Board members. : 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. Due to maintenance, EDJOIN will be down intermittently. Jennifer Chen, a mental health professional, has reported $37,000 in donations, nearly all from inside the district. If someone is getting five and a half hours of sleep to do their homework, someone is mad at me and so that will be an ongoing issue. I truly believe its the cornerstone of what this country is. She hoped theyd turn out for the next forum for the Lafayette race, a virtual event last Thursday night, but the slate Its a different job than being an advocate or volunteer, but I have worked with so many different districts as a result of my volunteer work that it seemed like a logical step, and I was interested in the kinds of governing structures and issues that are tackled at the governing board level. 504 Coordinator: Director of Special Education and Auxilary Services, 1212 Pleasant Hill Road, Lafayette CA 94549, specialed@auhsdschools.org. The Academy issue was also part of that. Now people are targeting individuals and asking them directly to vote for a candidate, and in this example by putting flyers on every car at the football game, instead of putting up a yard sign, Jay said. I have been an active parent and community volunteer since moving to the area in 1995, including sixteen years on the executive boards of PTAs and as a Moraga Education Foundation director since 2005. 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? An attendee asked the incumbents why they hadnt stood up for their opponents who had been bullied online. 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. Id like to see it through, and hopefully, voters see it that way. I really do believe in public education, so its really not hard to think about trying to put myself into, to basically run or volunteer. Recorded October 12th, 2022 at The Del Valle Theater. 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. Nice if it was done in a civil manner. John Swett Unified School District (3 Seats) Marina Ramos. District Profile: Acalanes Union High. 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. : Why are you running for the Acalanes School District Board this year? I think what they did was okay, because they were doing it after school and it was [an event with] a lot of people who are involved in the schools, Potter said. But the outside donations, a recent endorsement of both slates of candidates by the Contra Costa Republican Party and the slates similar websites featuring vague statements about things like teachers pushing political ideology have stirred concern in the heavily Democratic 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. : What do you think is your primary platform or mission? Hockett: One issue that I am trying to focus on in particular is the teacher shortage in California, which is very major. And one thing weve done in recent years: weve offered retired teachers five years of vision and dental plan if they let us know theyre retiring by Feb. 1, so that is a head start because we tend to now know. Paralegal Clayton Gardner has not reported any fundraising. So its kind of listening and hearing whats going on and whats playing here in the district and going from there. In my mind, whats hard about being a board member is that you come in and you think youre going to tackle some pet projects that you might have as a person, but that might not be necessarily effective for a school board. Before moving across the country from his native Georgia, he spent five and a half years at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. U.S. President | What do we know about their positions?. Neighbor warned neighbor that the conservative movement to flip school boards couldve made it to Contra Costa County. Mark Woolway listens during a public forum for candidates for the Acalanes Union High School District governing board at Del Valle Education Center in Walnut Creek. the acalanes union high school district (the "district"), comprising acalanes high school, campolindo high school, las lomas high school, miramonte high school, and alternate high school programs, is one of the top-ranked high school districts in the state, and has been able to offer its students an outstanding educational opportunity for many Severson: Im excited to help the high schools keep moving along, and for where we can to do even better. 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. Flyers were placed on the windows of cars in the Campolindo parking lot and on nearby streets during the game. Before moving your household goods interstate, movers are required to give you the Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet and FMCSA's Ready to Move brochure to help you understand the documents that a mover will ask you to sign, and explains your rights if your household goods are lost or damaged. Then just the fact that it didnt explain anything and it was so random, Campolindo senior Nikita Vayner said. Blueprint: So you mentioned wellness. Something I am proud of that we worked on there. focused on recruiting and supporting strong Republican candidates to run for local education offices.. The district operates four high schools. Questions may be submitted in advance by email to. What originally made you want to apply? On Sept. 23, Niels Larsen announced on social media that he was suspending his part of the Lafayette campaign, citing attacks online and an ugly and destructive process, according to criticizes sex education and critical race theory : So one of my questions was going to be what initiatives you plan to take, but it sounds like one of your goals is to be more nonpartisan. : And if elected, what are student issues you want to focus on? This is a more direct way of campaigning as it felt very personal. Blueprint: Do you have any ideas on how to combat teacher shortages? We were directly involved with that and I think we did a great job of bringing on some really good people to the Orinda School District. Acalanes Union High School District Schools Acalanes High School Campolindo High School Las Lomas High School Miramonte High School Acalanes Center For Independent Study Acalanes Adult Education AUHSD Staff Links Staff Information Page District Website Login to GMail Login to Google Drive Login to Google Calendar AUHSD Parent & Student Links The intentional harassment being currently expressed online is the same type of behavior that we teach our children not to take part in as it can lead the recipient to depression and self harm, the statement said. 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. : Well its kind of funny, you know when people always ask about the platform for the school board. That phenomenon has also landed here in the Bay Area. This school district is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates. and efforts to make curriculum more inclusive. // As the election for an opening in the Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) Governing Board comes to a close, Blueprint spoke with each of the four candidates, Paul Derksen, Christopher Severson, Nancy Kendzierski, and Bob Hockett, to discuss their campaign platforms. Sophia Bollag joined the San Francisco Chronicle as a politics reporter in 2022. I think its a really good group, I know them all. Joe Kukura is an SFist staff asst. All candidates must have a valid, unexpired government issued or school issued photo ID at the time of fingerprinting. District: Acalanes Union High (School Profiles) County: Contra Costa: Address: 1212 Pleasant Hill Rd. 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. Create New Account Get the Aeries Mobile Portal App! Severson: Yeah. 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. As one of the other candidates said, theoretically voters couldnt go wrong with picking any three of them. 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. We did an earlier pass on that. The candidates said they hadnt been looking at social media, with the exception of Smith, who said he had defended the slate candidates. // As the election for an opening in theAcalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) Governing Board comes to a close. 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. Candidates (Vote for 3) This is a preview of the election. : Why should a potential voter choose you for the schoolboard? Democrats make up about 54% of the voters in the region, while Republicans represent just 19%. 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. So like you kind of said, Im open to hearing whats going on and what are the important issues, and working within the team to figure out the best solution for the district. Please review our BoardDocs website for updated meeting times, meeting agendas and minutes. Nancy, you have to apply!. School Districts / Acalanes Union High 2013-2020 salaries for Acalanes Union High 9,491 employee records found - Page 1 of 190 Subscribe to this agency | Download records | View average salary by job title | View all agencies Note: Benefits include statutory benefits. Apply for the Job in Food Service Manager VI - Skyline High School (2022-23) at Oakland, CA. But, I think I can do a good job, so Im really hoping people will support me. Shane Reinhart. MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2021-2022 SCHOOL CALENDAR ADULT/VOCATIONAL EDUCATION HOLIDAYS 2021 September 6 Labor Day November 11 Veterans' Day November 25 Thanksgiving Day HOLIDAYS 2022 January 17 Observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday February 21 All Presidents' Day May 30 Observance of Memorial Day. If elected, are there any initiatives you hope to implement besides the work that youve been doing? Its nice to have a mix, but I think its helpful to have some experience. Severson ( Republican Party) (also known as Doc) was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 14A. 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. Acalanes Union High School District UC Santa Barbara About Recent graduate from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. 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. She grew up in the East Bay and graduated from Northwestern University, where she studied journalism and literature. Curran researched and learned about Woolways connection to Trump. Biography. PhD candidate @RutgersU | Duckweed, Plant Microbiome . The district takes its name from Rancho Acalanes, an 1834 Mexican rancho grant which occupied much of the area from Orinda to Lafayette. But also because you can look at various boards, weve had a very cohesive and highly functioning board, so from a personal perspective, its been a real joy to work with the other members and with the administration. And then other priorities, you know, are to maintain our great education because that is what we are charged to do, to educate our students, and third thing is again back to the money thing; making sure were spending our money wisely and not wasting it on things that arent helpful for the kids and the environment of the school, but making sure we spend our money on things that are really going to help out. Acalanes Union High School District Candidate for Board Member Next Contest Christopher Severson Acalanes Union High School District Governing Board Member 31,638 votes (23.68%) Winning My choice Candidate has provided information. Contra Costa Board of Education Area 2 candidate Rupy Krishnan got $20,000 of her $23,000 from Sacramento charter school political action committee Champions for Education. I was elected to the city council down in Southern California, so I served a city council and so when I moved back up here, I still wanted to contribute to education in some way, so I thought Acalanes Union is a high school and of course a governing board, so the combination of my interest in government and my interest in high school education just seemed like a good fit and something that I could contribute to, and so thats why I decided to run and here I am. Research salary, company info, career paths, and top skills for Food Service Manager VI - Skyline High School (2022-23) Open Session typically begins at 7:00 p.m. Closed Sessions and Study Sessions may begin earlier. The Wellness Centers are another example of the reaction to that. Some candidates in the region are explicit about trumpeting conservative talking points. : 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. Challenge success is a program that stands for challenging the word success and is especially targeted towards the highly motivated student body, where we tend to really stress the academics, sports or co-curricular activity, lots of homework and are we over-stressing kids out? FINGERPRINT APPLICATION FORM. And so how does someone really stand out? The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title II and Title IX Coordinator: Associate Superintendent of Administrative Services, 1212 Pleasant Hill Road, Lafayette CA 94549, adminservices@auhsdschools.org. Counties | Ballotpedia features 393,611 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. Local parent Stacy Schirmer is among those disappointed by how the slates have been treated. We have great working conditions. 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 Address 1212 Pleasant Hill Rd, Lafayette, Ca 94549. Blueprint: Youre on the governing board, correct? Elections in 2023 | The Challenge Success is going to be something that we look at every two years by sending out these surveys. 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. So there are a number of things going on. This is a carousel. A high efficiency OPEN SAT, 1PM TO 4PM $1,075,000 4 Beds 2 Baths 1,781 Sq. 3. Email: joshua.sharpe@sfchronicle.com, sophia.bollag@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joshuawsharpe, @sophiabollag. 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. Severson: Well, I am the only candidate that has kids in the school district right now. 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. Christopher Grove, Michael Bonino and Rupy Ahluwalia Krishman are the challengers. Barbara Vargen-Kotchevar. 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. : Well, the fact is that many of the things that weve done have just started. Some students were unsettled and unsure of the connotations of the flyers. Ft. 125 Cora Ct, Walnut Creek, CA 94597 Acalanes Union High School District Home for Sale: Situated on over half an acre, this traditional home provides single level living showcasing beautiful views of the Berkeley hills. I mean, you name it, and Ive probably done it at some time. : Because I still have things to contribute. The Lafayette district includes four elementary schools and a middle school within the city. - Analysed potential investment risks and pitched findings to SAM risk analysts. Luck does have some part of it, there are some challenges, but thats what you sign up forto see it through and hopefully, the decisions are the best for the community. The. 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. A similar slate sharing a treasurer with the Acalanes three is running in the same coordinated way for the Lafayette School District Governing Board, which oversees K-8 schools. That looked off, said Curran, whose daughter will in a few years attend high school in the Acalanes district. gallery owner who sprayed homeless woman in viral video apologizes. Blueprint: So what made you originally decide to run for the school board? Acalanes now has a new school superintendent for its five high schools in Moraga, Lafayette, Orinda and Walnut Creek. Skip to main content I mean, I do hope if I get elected to be involved with the implementation of the. Glasgow, United Kingdom. With just weeks to go before Election Day, the races show how a relatively small amount of outside money, a few MAGA connections and inconclusive policy statements plunged two races into pitched debates about what the groups want. As one of the other candidates said, theoretically voters couldnt go wrong with picking any three of them. I think that weve done a good job so far. He learned that Ledeen was the son of Barbara Ledeen, a The Acalanes Union High School District in California's Bay Area shuttered its schools for some 18 months, over the objection of many parents. I think she donated $250 $250 doesnt go very far these days, Woolway said in response at a recent candidate forum. Candidate L.L. An unknown individual placed flyers regarding candidates running for the AUHSD and LAFSD school boards on attendees cars at the football game at Campolindo High School against Acalanes High School on Oct. 14. 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. 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. Renee Nowac, Christopher Severson and Mark Woolway attend the candidates forum for the Acalanes board. Severo, who adopted two Black children, didnt want to see gains lost. "Vern" Weber has been a school consultant for the past. Blueprint: So can you share some of your experiences over there? Acalanes Union High School District Forgot Password? Kenneth Acosta - @Mrreiper . All you have to do is refer to a much more active recruit. less stress, more feeling safe, and things like that. in Feminist Studies in hopes to attain a Masters in. I know student stress is a really big thing that the district is dealing with. His name was already on everything including the ballot. So I think the experience will help and I guess I truly believe in public education. Governing Board Meeting, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Gabe Ledeen and Renee Nowac are members of a slate of three candidates running for the Acalanes district board. On the Acalanes Union High School District board, two positions are up for election. 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. He was in a kitchen, leaned over, looking frustrated. We did an earlier pass on that. editor / reporter who has been published in almost every San Francisco publication, including Hoodline, SF Weekly, Thrillist, and Broke Ass Stuart. 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.