Why do you think you should be elected to the Board of Education?
The Mayor has a tough job in picking the 3 BOE appointments. I have a demonstrated record of being 100% committed to helping our students. I am qualified and prepared to do the job- budget, supervisor search, focus on student outcomes, communicating with the public, following laws.I have reviewed the Board Policies, watched the Brown Act training. I have consulted with several former BoE Commissioners. I will act with my heart and my ears first to restore trust and faith.
The Mayor has a tough job in picking the 3 BOE appointments. I have a demonstrated record of being 100% committed to helping our students. I am qualified and prepared to do the job- budget, supervisor search, focus on student outcomes, communicating with the public, following laws.I have reviewed the Board Policies, watched the Brown Act training. I have consulted with several former BoE Commissioners. I will act with my heart and my ears first to restore trust and faith.
How do you propose to address the learning loss and mental health issues affecting our kids?
The heartbreaking concerns of learning loss and mental health issues were a concern prior to the pandemic, and have indeed been exacerbated by the School Board’s actions. Now is when we need grace, empathy and making space, recognition of students (and teachers and paras and all staff) for where they are.
Students want to be heard, to be around others, to feel comfortable, before they can confidently face the challenges of learning and growing. We need to acknowledge we have limited resources. Find examples of school sites and school districts that have made things work and encourage such processes.
The heartbreaking concerns of learning loss and mental health issues were a concern prior to the pandemic, and have indeed been exacerbated by the School Board’s actions. Now is when we need grace, empathy and making space, recognition of students (and teachers and paras and all staff) for where they are.
Students want to be heard, to be around others, to feel comfortable, before they can confidently face the challenges of learning and growing. We need to acknowledge we have limited resources. Find examples of school sites and school districts that have made things work and encourage such processes.
How do you propose to address the budget deficit affecting our school district?
Fiscal right-sizing needs attention to detail. I have reported on the past few years of SFUSD Budget discussions. Read my newsletter https://eyessfboe.substack.com I have reviewed the District budgets, including PEEF and Parcel Tax, line by line. I am on the LCAP Task Force for a 2nd year. I have managed several multimillion dollar budgets in my various professional roles, currently as a General Contractor.
I will have several long talks with Elliott Duchon, the state appointed Budget babysitter. I will have several deep talks with Chief Financial Officer Meghan Wallace and Deputy Superintendent Myeong Leigh.
I would encourage staff to make further District cuts on the upper levels. I would scrutinize how classroom cuts were decided. Were parents and teacher input incorporated? I would encourage cuts where the classes are unusually small. I would encourage cuts where they would not hurt future enrollment. I would make sure that spending would encourage improving outcomes.
Fiscal right-sizing needs attention to detail. I have reported on the past few years of SFUSD Budget discussions. Read my newsletter https://eyessfboe.substack.com I have reviewed the District budgets, including PEEF and Parcel Tax, line by line. I am on the LCAP Task Force for a 2nd year. I have managed several multimillion dollar budgets in my various professional roles, currently as a General Contractor.
I will have several long talks with Elliott Duchon, the state appointed Budget babysitter. I will have several deep talks with Chief Financial Officer Meghan Wallace and Deputy Superintendent Myeong Leigh.
I would encourage staff to make further District cuts on the upper levels. I would scrutinize how classroom cuts were decided. Were parents and teacher input incorporated? I would encourage cuts where the classes are unusually small. I would encourage cuts where they would not hurt future enrollment. I would make sure that spending would encourage improving outcomes.
How do you propose to correct the educational equity gap in our school district?
Tragically, the educational equity gap has been exacerbated by the current Board and District. Vision 2025 is a good framework but is not being implemented. Investments should continue to assist the most needy students. Investments in higher performing students should not be inordinately reduced as this is not a zero sum game.
I would encourage the District to focus on outcomes. I would appreciate and encourage teachers, schools, after school programs, and other school districts that make such efforts work. We can make the SFUSD a shining example of creating a 21st Century workforce.
Tragically, the educational equity gap has been exacerbated by the current Board and District. Vision 2025 is a good framework but is not being implemented. Investments should continue to assist the most needy students. Investments in higher performing students should not be inordinately reduced as this is not a zero sum game.
I would encourage the District to focus on outcomes. I would appreciate and encourage teachers, schools, after school programs, and other school districts that make such efforts work. We can make the SFUSD a shining example of creating a 21st Century workforce.
How would you address the Lowell admissions issue?
Lowell admissions should go back to merit. Having underprepared students enter the school and perform poorly helps nobody. The judge said go back to merit admissions. The District cannot be lazy and say they can’t do it. Merit plus equity is doable.
All lower, middle, and high schools can prepare all students better. Don’t cut AP programs. We can soon have public schools that can compete with the City‘s private schools.
Lowell admissions should go back to merit. Having underprepared students enter the school and perform poorly helps nobody. The judge said go back to merit admissions. The District cannot be lazy and say they can’t do it. Merit plus equity is doable.
All lower, middle, and high schools can prepare all students better. Don’t cut AP programs. We can soon have public schools that can compete with the City‘s private schools.
Tell us about a time when you had to overcome obstacles & build a coalition to get things done
I worked with several groups and individuals to bring back Citizen Oversight to the District facilities spending, after 3 years and delayed audits. I did the research and made the case and shared info with others. We brought the heat to the District and got it back.
I was on the AAPI voter outreach task force. We overcame language barriers, inertia, naysayers, and low funding, and we registered hundreds of new voters, even on Election Day.
I worked with several groups and individuals to bring back Citizen Oversight to the District facilities spending, after 3 years and delayed audits. I did the research and made the case and shared info with others. We brought the heat to the District and got it back.
I was on the AAPI voter outreach task force. We overcame language barriers, inertia, naysayers, and low funding, and we registered hundreds of new voters, even on Election Day.
