2020 Voter Information Guide
Hayward USD Board Candidates
Dear Community Members,
Democracy is based upon an informed electorate. As charter schools authorized by the Hayward Unified School District (HUSD), future support for both Golden Oak Montessori and Silver Oak High School depends upon decisions made by the HUSD Board of Trustees. During the upcoming election, there are several positions on the HUSD board up for grabs. This voter information guide is intended to help family members of students who attend Golden Oak and Silver Oak, and live in Hayward, make informed decisions about the candidates.
Candidates were asked four questions. Some responded in writing, others through interviews, which explains why some statements are written in first person and others in third person. Candidates are listed alphabetically, by last name. If a candidate on the ballot is not represented below, it is because they did not respond to multiple requests. We hope that this guide is helpful.
If you have not yet registered to vote, you may do so before October 19 by going to https://registertovote.ca.gov/ . The November 3, 2020 General Election has no polling places. Every voter will be mailed a ballot. There will be 100 Accessible Voting Locations throughout Alameda County, which any voter can visit.
Role of a Trustee
Candidates on the Ballot
SIMON "PETER" GUTIERREZ BUFETE
As a candidate for HUSD trustee, what are your priorities?
My priorities are student equity and opportunity - ensuring students have the means, abilities, and resources to succeed. Keep and retain top talent in the district - continue to hire the best teachers. A fiscally solvent budget and working creatively to get there. Prioritizing the health and safety of our students, teachers, and community.
Peter noted that he really wants to do well for his community. He grew up in Hayward. He is the only board candidate, and if elected, will be the only board trustee that grew up in Hayward and attended Hayward public schools. He has ties to Hayward schools and wants to make sure we are putting our kids in a position to succeed.
How will you advocate for assuring educational equity and dismantling institutional racism?
I will use data to assure educational equity, for example, updating metrics to identify groups that we need to further apply resources and attention towards. Dr. Oquenda (current trustee) endorses my campaign, in part, because student equity and opportunity is a priority and important to me.
What is your stance on educating the whole child?
I believe in the whole child pedagogy. I believe there are different approaches and interpretations, but in general, that mental health, physical fitness, critical thinking skills, and social skills are all things that we are responsible for developing in our children and that we should all hold ourselves accountable for doing that.
What is your stance on charter schools? Do you support existing charter schools in the District?
At the end of the day, we have HUSD students at all of these schools. I'm not going to be a board trustee who says I am anti-charter and alienate any student. I want those students to succeed just as much as I want all public school students to succeed. They are all public school students. If data and the success of a charter school system merits further expansion, then I will support that. However, if there is no merit or data to indicate this, I wouldn't be able to support expansion.
DR. ROBERT CARLSON
As a candidate for HUSD trustee, what are your priorities?
To maintain the highest quality education possible given current conditions and funding.
Assist students to progress towards their educational or vocational goals during times when the best educational methods are unavailable, and support is at a minimum.
Looking further out, to make certain the District operates within its means and avoids any need for State management.
How will you advocate for assuring educational equity and dismantling institutional racism?
Board adoption of a policy and statement of expectations regarding equity and racism.
Disseminate that policy and Board expectations to all staff.
Implement training of all faculty and staff regarding equity and their responsibility to act within the stated policy and expectations. Create understanding about what equity means and how to incorporate it into their work within the District.
Adoption of equity curriculum content or courses to establish a more equitable educational environment and develop social understanding.
Review, evaluate, and follow up to see its staff act within expectations.
Be persistent about the direction and need to change.
What is your stance on educating the whole child?
It is a matter of focus. The delivery of the educational experience must look past the strict delivery of curriculum. The educational experience needs to include long-term personal relationships that develop students in directions not necessarily specific to the curriculum itself. It requires an effort to know and listen to the students being taught and to consider/apply what is learned in this relationship to enhance the teaching process.
What is your stance on charter schools? Do you support existing charter schools in the District?
Charter schools pull funding needed by public education. Yes, there is the question of providing choice, but the public education student comes with a wide and varied set of experience and abilities. As public schools struggle to give every potential learner a chance at success they cannot easily surrender funds needed to provide the necessary wide-ranging education program. Charter schools already approved should continue if they meet operational standards and requirements.
MARIA DEL CARMEN ESPINOZA
As a candidate for HUSD trustee, what are your priorities?
Putting students and their education first. Holding people accountable. Transparency. Advocating for foster youth, homeless students, unaccompanied minors, special education students, ELL, and students that are severely academically behind - these are our most vulnerable students. I want to help every student, but these students are my priority. These children are getting lost in the system and it is important for me to bring this to light and help the most vulnerable.
Maria del Carmen discussed that Hayward has a very large Hispanic community and that community should be more represented in leadership. She wants to help all ELL families understand they have options and their students can succeed.
How will you advocate for assuring educational equity and dismantling institutional racism?
My top priority is to help the most vulnerable students. Dismantling racism ties into accountability, another one of my priorities. We have to hold people accountable to what they are doing and there has to be repercussions for their actions. I will use my platform to hold people accountable for their actions.
What is your stance on educating the whole child?
It's very important to me. Everyone has a different view of what they mean by educating the whole child - manners, how to conduct themselves, etc. I am one hundred percent for that. Educating the whole child has fallen on the hands of the schools, because parents have to work harder and longer to give their children a good life. In order for students to be successful they have to learn everything, not just academics.
What is your stance on charter schools? Do you support existing charter schools in the District?
I fully support parent choice. Parents and students should have options. I truly feel that there has to be something that fits the individual. Education can't be a one size fit for all. I support what is best for the child and the parents.
WILLIAM L. MCGEE
EUFEMIA DEL CARMEN MEYNARD
SARA PRADA
As a candidate for HUSD trustee, what are your priorities?
- Investing in our Teachers & Students during COVID-19 Crisis
Provide basic equipment for teachers like wifi and computers.
Support our students and families to ensure distance learning is easier and effective.
Address the growing mental health emergency our students are facing.
- Making Sure Hayward is a Competitive School District
Introduce ethnic studies to foster pride and to prepare students for new college requirements.
Evaluate special needs (IEP) programs to ensure they are in compliance with the law and students receive their right to an education.
Invest in math education to meet state standards.
- Ensure Administration and Superintendent Listen to the Community
Hold regular workshops to help parents navigate red tape.
Create a culture of serving the community and addressing parental concerns.
Invest our tax money in the classroom to improve school performance and control costs.
How will you advocate for assuring educational equity and dismantling institutional racism?
- Execute the existing Anti-Racism and Equity policy that I have publicly supported. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sQaZuUX5aOu_DdwRMImpOONhSqRVFwb1LsiLR--Jb6Q/edit?usp=sharing
- Introduce ethnic studies to foster pride and to prepare students for new college requirements.
- Listen to families and audit Uniform Complaints filed with the District.
What is your stance on educating the whole child?
Educating the whole child is the only way to ensure children grow into healthy adults who will help heal this world. This means mental healthcare, engaging students in a curriculum that reflects their diverse background, and is relevant to their lives. We need to stop teaching only to past a test and start teaching to enrich their lives.
What is your stance on charter schools? Do you support existing charter schools in the District?
As a parent, I understand that you have to make the best decisions for your children, and it makes me sad to know that many parents think our public schools are failing. Especially our African American families here in Hayward, many of whom are fleeing the public schools. On the other hand, we have seen other districts like Oakland struggle to place special needs families in charter schools. As far as current schools, I’m committed to a fair review process under California law, so I will listen to our community on a per-school basis.
DR. LUIS REYNOSO
As a candidate for HUSD trustee, what are your priorities?
The budget. Fiscal solvency.
How will you advocate for assuring educational equity and dismantling institutional racism?
It is all about the money. No matter how good of policies you have, they aren't going anywhere without backing. The budget speaks for it.
What is your stance on educating the whole child?
Absolutely! Project based education should be available. The average public school system doesn't do that, it's about performance.
What is your stance on charter schools? Do you support existing charter schools in the District?
My record speaks for itself in how many charter schools I have approved.
TAMI ROSSELL
As a candidate for HUSD trustee, what are your priorities?
High quality education, leading to a reputation and results that rivals Union City and Fremont
Equitable practices that support all students with funding that flows to students who need it most
More funding to students and teachers
Hands-on internships for students with small businesses in Hayward
Parent and student voice on the front-end of decisions
How will you advocate for assuring educational equity and dismantling institutional racism?
Execute the existing Anti-Racism and Equity policy, linked here.
What is your stance on educating the whole child?
Any quality education must address the needs of the whole child, especially the heart. HUSD sometimes lacks love, which could be improved by increasing district-parent contact and hiring case managers to check on families.
What is your stance on charter schools? Do you support existing charter schools in the District?
Parents should have choices. She supports the existing charter schools.