CSEA victorious in school board elections

11/4/09

Tuesday, Nov. 3 was a big Election Day for CSEA. Members were elected, hostile school boards were voted out of office and key issues were addressed in campaigns throughout the state.

Marisa Hernandez, a member of South Whittier Chapter 348, was elected to the Los Nietos School District Board of Trustees with the endorsement of the Los Nietos Chapter 380.

“I want to make a difference and what better way to do that than to be on the school board,” Hernandez, a paraeducator, said.

Hernandez said that CSEA members and staff helped her get elected by giving her advice and by campaigning for her.

“I couldn’t have done it without the help of all of these people who know what to do,” she said.
Since she is a classified employee who works in the classroom, Hernandez said she can bring the perspective of someone who deals with students on a daily basis to the school board.

“I can give the insight of what classified employees feel on certain issues, especially when dealing with budget cuts, layoffs and reduction of hours,” she said. “I can bring those points to the board and allow the other board members to see that side and understand where CSEA is coming from.”

King City victory
In King City, all three of CSEA's endorsed candidates won their races. Better yet, school board members, who have shown nothing but disrespect for classified employees, are now out of office.

The district laid off 60 classified employees and eliminated home-to-school transportation even though local families rely on buses in the rural district. 

"We had no communication with the administrators, and we could never get a straight answer from the board members," said King City Union Chapter 494 President Debbie King.

Going into the election, Chapter 494 decided to recruit better candidates to fill the school board seats. In collaboration with the district’s teacher’s union, Chapter 494 members worked to spread the word to the community about why their endorsed candidates – parents who were education advocates -- were the right choice.

"We sent out fliers, went door to door, made door hangers and everyone was making phone calls,” King said. "I’ve been with the school district 37 years and have never before seen this level of involvement."

Now, King said that chapter members’ work has paid off and they hope to see the district change course for the better.

“We don’t expect the new board to do everything that we want them to do, but they’re definitely in it for the well-being of the kids and that’s what it’s all about.”

More school board victories
CSEA had dozens of other key victories throughout the state. In other districts, it wasn't just about winning the election. Newspaper coverage and public forums gave CSEA and its endorsed candidates the opportunity to draw critical attention to issues such as layoffs, budget cuts, healthcare reform and retirement security.

Garamendi elected to Congress
In Contra Costa County, Lt. Governor John Garamendi won a special election to represent California's 10th Congressional District. Garamendi has been a strong supporter of classified employees for more than 30 years.  He has carried legislation for CSEA and stood with CSEA to increase school funding, protect classified jobs and improve education for our students. Garamendi will bring additional support to healthcare reform efforts in Congress.