Heather addresses the AUSD Board of Education’s changes to the equity statement.

AUSD’s API Roundtable asked all the candidates for school board these questions. Since an AUSD round-table can’t endorse a candidate - the round-table wanted its members to see how the candidates answered specific questions - we wanted to share with you too.

From the beginning, I have recognized that the first priority of the district has always been about education, but the priority of the district during a pandemic has to also be public health and ensuring that our students and staff and their families, while learning and working, are not put at-risk. Now that Alameda County has moved into the "orange zone" the board has the mighty task of weighing the greater good in these unprecedented times.

I encourage you to vote for the three candidates that you think will improve special education. When we improve the outcomes and services for our students furthest from the goal - it benefits all our students.

The Green Party of Alameda County asked Heather 10 questions. Here are her answers.

In 2018 the Board approved a three-year Special Education Strategic Plan. Based on your knowledge of AUSD, what do you think are the most achievable goals outlined in this strategic plan and which would pose the biggest challenges to implement?

If we find we are over-identified and all those students were accessed and received services and were identified because there is indeed a NEED and NOT some bias or lack of cultural understanding…. than I AM FINE WITH BEING OVER IDENTIFIED - because that is equity. All this will be sorted out in the CCEIS.

The district makes it possible for parents to send their children to district schools outside of their zone, often for the very same reasons that parents will choose a charter. So, the question is not about whether I think charters are good or bad, it is about looking at our school system and asking ourselves why do parents opt for them instead, and then trying to address the issue.

As a parent of two students who have all attended west end public schools, and who are both currently at EHS, regardless of the state reports, I am very happy with the educational experiences afforded to my kids. But reducing the disparities and looking for ways to offer equitable access to students across the island, by potentially offering dual enrollment in schools so that students can have the opportunity to expand their course classes, is something that I'm actively discussing with Superintendent Scuderi.

When it comes down to it, I want a school district that builds confident leaders and that uplifts students who are furthest from their educational goals in safe, welcoming educational environments. I want AUSD to live up to its motto of “Everybody Belongs Here” by championing policies and procedures that truly reflect these words, not just as a motto but as a culture. A culture where students and families of all structures, races, ethnicities and abilities have a voice, where they feel included, and where they have access to the same technology, classes, resources and innovations no matter which end of the island they live on or which school they attend.

It is time for AUSD to elevate its SpEd program. We need to safeguard the budget, increase clear and consistent communication, create a culture of inclusion, recruit and retain credentialed teachers and staff, implement best practices and bring SpEd voices to the table.

My top priorities are Special Education, Early Identification & Intervention and Budget Equity.

Overall, climate change is REAL. We need to make sure our students - the future leaders of our city and country - understand that science matters and what it takes to be good stewards of the earth.

This comes down to correcting the wrongs of the past. We have so much work to do to make our community and education system equitable. There are simple and powerful statements that Alameda can do to make everyone feel like they belong here - like the renaming Haight Elementary to Love, or the renaming of our Goddfrey or Jackson parks to reflect and celebrate people who worked to uplift not divide. Adding Jewish experiences and history to Ethnic studies is another powerful and simple change.

Prop 15 closes the property tax loophole that wealthy corporations take advantage of and would reclaim billions of dollars every year for California schools.

I believe the school board member’s role is to ensure the district’s actions, budgets, policies, and guidance are reflective of the districts and community’s values and priorities; and to advocate on behalf of all the children the district is serving.