Pamela Price's supporter brings money and, better yet, an important story to tell
Alameda County removes school masking requirement; Fremont NIMBYs denigrate the homeless again
ELECTION 2022
ALCO DISTRICT ATTORNEY
—PRICE IS RIGHT—We’re nearing the point in the June primary season when late big money contributions begin fortifying campaign coffers. On Friday, Pamela Price’s campaign received a $20,000 contribution, according to a Form 497 filing with the Alameda County Registrar of Voters. The money is significant, but the story behind the contributor might be infinitely more valuable to Price’s campaign.
—The large contribution comes from John Bauer, a Pleasanton resident who filed suit against Pleasanton Police in the wrongful death of their mentally-ill son and received a $5.9 million settlement. Furthermore, the settlement included reforms to the Pleasanton Police’s policy toward mentally-ill individuals. Prior to the incident with Pleasanton Police, Bauer had expressed on four occasions his worry that city’s police officer might harm their son.
—The Bauer family’s story neatly dovetails with Price’s long record of highlighting police misconduct and could be a powerful statement in this spring’s District Attorney’s race, which is currently a toss-up. In addition, the story and contribution could go far in a region of Alameda County that has in the past proven difficult for Price to gain a foothold.
ALCO SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
—MONROE RESPONDS—The impacts of the pandemic more acutely impacted school district officials more than its seems their counterparts in other areas of local government. In the Bay Area, three San Francisco school boardmembers were unceremoniously recalled, Oakland has been roiled by controversial school closures, and contentious school board meetings have ignited in cities across Alameda Count over the past year. It’s no wonder that this June’s primary for the Alameda County superintendent of schools race may soon be the contentious of them all.
—Earlier this week, former Alameda County superintendent Sheila Jordan blasted her successor, L.K. Monroe. Jordan said Monroe has failed to support teachers or regularly visit schools. Several teachers’ unions are supporting Monroe’s challenger, Alysse Castro. On Thursday, Monroe responded to Jordan’s statement:
Her comments disappoint me, but frankly, they do not surprise me. As I assumed office eight years ago, even former Superintendent Jordan herself said that I would do the job differently and as I contemplated the role, she told me I should not fear finding my own way. I believe I had done just that. It was very important to me to have a county office that was flexible in its work, accountable to students and districts, collaborative with community partners and empowered to create change, not a place that housed a collection of disconnected programs and unaccredited schools. Change is difficult, but necessary, if we are to improve outcomes for all students. We still have a lot of work to do…
I came to this office as an educational leader, not a politician, with an understanding that leadership is about being present in many ways. Leadership in a global pandemic is about providing districts and schools the comprehensive and consistent support that they need most. Such as the distribution of 135,000 at-home tests, the facilitation of 10,000 vaccines for education staff, 100 meetings between school leaders and the county public health, contracts for testing, ACOE staff as substitute teachers, training for COVID liaisons and the dedication of staff for two years to assist our schools to make sense of the shifting COVID protocols that help to keep their staff, students and families safe. I am proud of this work, know that it has made a difference and frequently receive feedback from district leaders, board members, and educators alike that they feel well-supported during the most challenging days we have ever faced in public education.
MORE IN THIS ISSUE: County’s Covid Update | County Names Interim Directors | EBCE Covets Stockton | Fremont’s Anti-Homeless NIMBYs | Oakland Denounces Russian Invasion |
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