San Leandro Times Profile of Hermy Almonte

By Hermy B. Almonte

Hermy Almonte Almonte states in newspaper interview that if elected he will focus on school safety, reducing overcrowding at the high school, strengthening the residency verification process, and getting students into art and music programs.

San Leandro Times, August 20, 2008

Hermy Almonte is vying for the District Area 1 seat on the San Leandro school board and has the endorsement of out-going At-Large Trustee Stephen Cassidy.

"Cassidy and (Area 4 Trustee) Mike Katz are working hand-in-hand with me on this," said newcomer Almonte.

Almonte said that his experiences getting involved at San Leandro High as an English learner advisor and member of the United Parents of San Leandro have helped prepare him to serve as a trustee.

Almonte was born in the Philippines and traveled throughout the world working in the shipping industry. In 1990, he settled in the Bay Area and began his current career as a [property manager at a non-profit housing developer].

He and his wife have a daughter who graduated from SLHS in June and a son who will be a junior there this year. Almonte said his experiences as a parent have inspired him to get involved." I will be focused on raising teachers salaries and getting a parcel tax on the ballot," said Almonte.

Earlier this year, the school board decided not to pursue a parcel tax after a public survey indicated it would not have enough support to pass with a two-thirds majority. "It's ridiculous and a big failure that the tax won't be on the ballot," said Almonte. He said that the voter support isn't there because the district hasn't proved itself to the public.

Almonte said that he will work on regaining that trust by making sure that parents are more involved in the board's decision making process. If elected, Almonte said that he will focus on school safety, reducing overcrowding at the high school, strengthening the residency verification process, and getting students into art and music programs.

He said that another one of his priorities will be raising teacher's salaries and that he would ensure that contract negotiations with the teachers' union would go more smoothly than the last round, which left the teachers working without a contract for nearly the entire school year.

"The superintendent and the school board don't have the respect of the teachers," said Almonte. "I have always supported teachers and teachers' rights. They are our biggest stakeholders."