Mike, my husband, is running for our local school board. This is the sort of thing you do when you grow up, become established in a community and have children. Or that you would do if you had enough time for it. I am happy for Mike, he is one of the most committed people I know and one of the few who can get along with (practically) everyone without sacrificing his own moral and political stands. Being completely non-judgemental probably helps with that. And I think he will make a great school board member, I think he can bring new ideas and enthusiasm to a board that seems stuck in the past, and help shake it just a little bit.
Of course, both the race and the actual work as a school board member will take a lot of time from our family life - and require lots of organization from our part. I can't say I'm thrilled about that. But since I've decided to support him, I'm going to figure out how to make it work. Probably my work will suffer, but as Jesus said "the poor will always be with you."
Anyway, here is Mike's press release. If you are in San Leandro please consider supporting him.
Mike Katz Announces Candidacy for San Leandro School Board, Area 4
For Immediate Release Contact: Mike Katz (510) 207-7165
San Leandro, CA - July 25, 2006 - Mike Katz announced today that he has filed papers to run for San Leandro School Board Trustee from Area 4. As a member of the School Board, Mike will work to ensure a quality education for all our children and build a school system that will make the community proud. Schools need the support of the entire community, including parents, teachers, local businesses, residents, and city officials, in order to give our kids the education they deserve. Mike will make it a priority to outreach to parents and the community and to involve them in the decision-making processes of the Board. Furthermore, Mike believes that transparency and accountability of the School Board and the district are essential to guarantee a positive relationship with the community, and he will work to make the School Board accessible, open and transparent.
Mike supports safe and clean schools that operate at or under their capacity in order to provide the optimal learning environment for our children. He supports the facilities bond that will be on the ballot in the November election, and in particular the building of a new freshman campus to relieve overcrowding at the high school. Mike also believes in building stronger relationships with businesses. Businesses should be giving money to and supporting our schools, not political campaigns.
Mike Katz supports the idea that the time spent in school should be used to the best advantage. He believes strongly that children must master the three "Rs" while learning analytical and critical thinking skills. He believes children must be given a foundation in the sciences, the arts and the humanities as well as in civics and technology. He supports increasing the number of teachers’ aids and creating curricula that addresses the needs of 21st century students.
Mike’s notes from recent school board meetings can be found on the web site of the San Leandro Community Action Network (http://www.slcan.org). As part of his outreach effort, Mike plans to visit all of the schools and hold meetings with parents, faculty, and staff to ask for their input on how we can do better for our students. Mike worked the phones in support of Measure A and will work hard to ensure that the school facilities bond is successful in November.
Mike Katz and his wife Margarita are the parents of two girls, Michaela and Camila, who will attend McKinley Elementary. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, where he majored in Environmental Science. He has taught at the Lawrence Hall of Science, worked as a camp counselor, and volunteered as a computer tutor at the San Leandro Public Library. He belongs to the San Leandro Parents Network and is a founding member of the San Leandro Community Action Network and its Quality Schools committee. He has been involved with Amnesty International, School of the Americas Watch and Derechos Human Rights, among other groups. He currently works as an information security engineer.
A Campaign Kick-Off will be held at Zocalo Coffeehouse on Thursday, August 3, 2006, at 7pm.
You can contact the "Elect Mike Katz" campaign by phone at (510) 483-4005, by email at info@electmikekatz.com or on the web at http://www.electmikekatz.com.