Public Education, Front and Center in Davis

State Superintendent Candidates Come to Davis

It’s undeniable; the Davis community values education.  More than that, we value PUBLIC education.  Time and again, given the choice, we put our personal resources behind our educational priorities.

It’s also undeniable that present need may exceed our ability to respond.  The $5.6 million budget gap currently facing the Davis Joint Unified School District is a daunting chasm to bridge.*  Though our support is fully with the Davis Schools Foundation’s 2010 Dollar-A-Day campaign, and the DJUSD Board of Education has begun consideration of a possible parcel tax, it is also important that we make state policymakers understand that what we value is at risk without their advocacy.  We can start with candidates for the office of California Superintendent of Public Instruction, appearing on June ballot.

Local Students to Grill Candidates for State Superintendent

Elementary and high school students from Davis, West Sacramento, Woodland and Esparto will question these candidates during a public forum Monday, March 15, at UC Davis.

Capital Public Radio’s Jeffrey Callison will moderate the evening which is hosted by the UC Davis School of Education and the Yolo County School Boards Association. The event will start at 7 p.m. in Freeborn Hall and will also be webcast with a link on the UC Davis home page.

In addition to four elementary and high school students, a UC Davis student studying to become a teacher and event organizers will pose questions to the candidates.

“This is a critical time for California public education,” said Harold Levine, dean of the UC Davis School of Education. “The next superintendent of public instruction will face challenges of an unprecedented magnitude. Meeting those challenges will require leadership, skill and a willingness to think boldly and creatively.”

Among declared candidates for the nonpartisan seat, Assemblyman Tom Torlakson, D-Martinez, retired educator Larry Aceves and public school teacher Diane Lenning have confirmed they will attend.  State Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, was unavailable.  All are running to succeed Jack O’Connell, who will be termed out of the office.

In addition to issues raised by the students, candidates will be asked to respond to the following questions:

• March 15 is the deadline for first notices of lay-off to go to teachers whose services school districts can no longer afford in the 2010-11 school year.  What do you say to the educators affected and the parents and students worried about the impact on educational services?
• California has a unique system of public education governance, with its Superintendent of Public Instruction, Secretary of Education and State Board of Education.  How can you be effective within this system and accomplish your goals?
• What will you do to bring equitable access to quality instruction for all California’s students?

School Services of California and WestEd are major sponsors of the event.  Other sponsors include the California Association of School Business Officials, School Innovations & Advocacy, the UC Davis School of Education Alumni Council, the California School Employees Association Local 572, Leagues of Women Voters of Davis and Woodland, the Davis Teachers Association, and the Parent Organizations of the Davis Joint Unified School District.

The event is free and open to the public.  RSVPs appreciated to Linda Baldwin, Executive Assistant to Dean Harold Levine, at lkbaldwin@ucdavis.edu or (530) 752-4663.  (Directions and parking information)

In these times, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction must be an effective advocate for California’s students.  Attend Monday’s forum and determine which candidate is most worthy of your vote.

*For more information on the DJUSD budget situation, visit District Dollars.