Candidate for
Board Member; San Leandro Unified School District; Area 1

Hermy Almonte is an active parent in our schools. His son attends San Leandro High School and his daughter graduated from SLHS last June. Almonte knows first hand the challenges our students face.

Why should you vote for Almonte?

Here is what Hermy says:

• Real Leadership On The School Board

I propose that the district conduct regular workshops and community forums, inviting parents, teachers and the community to comment on the district's performance and answer questions and address issues.

The district must do a better job communicating with the public. The district-wide parent bulletin and community newsletters should be restored. Finally, the district should develop an annual parent survey on our schools and district.

These are all ways the district can involve the community in developing solutions to the key issues facing our students.

It must also be recognized that the Superintendent has lost the respect of teachers and support staff and driven employee morale to an all-time low.

The School Board recently voted to give the Superintendent a pay raise and new contract. The Superintendent now earns more than the Governor. I would not have voted to give the Superintendent a pay raise or new contract.

• Focus on School Safety

One simple, no-cost step that can be immediately undertaken is to treat parents as valued partners and welcome them onto our campuses. Particularly at the secondary level, many parents feel unwelcome, and only step on campus during registration and back to school nights.

Having parents on campus is one of the most effective ways to deter gang recruitment, curb students fights and misbehavior.

Earlier this year, the School Board voted to reduce the number of grades at the high school and middle schools that parents and guardians of returning students must show proof of San Leandro residency.

Our middle and high schools are critically overcrowded. This creates ongoing safety issues. That is why I will vote to reverse the School Board's decision to weaken the district's residency verification standards.

• Quality Education for All Students: Preserving our art, music and vocational education programs from cuts due to the state budget crisis.

I am committed to seeing that we adopt a parcel tax for our schools to preserve and enhance our arts, music and vocational education programs. We must also improve the salaries of teachers and support staff so that our district attracts and retains the best educators for our children.

• Conclusion

I will see that our School Board values and encourages parent participation, respects teachers and staff and will unite the community in support of our schools.