I spent part of Monday evening phone banking for Measure B. Measure B is the $109 million facilities bond that will fund construction of a performing arts center, a freshman campus that will relieve overcrowding of the high school, upgrades of the vocational education facilities, and much needed modernization and upgrades for the elementary and middle schools.
The Measure B office is located at 14895 E. 14th Street (at Hesperian Blvd.) in San Leandro. The office has more than a dozen phone lines where volunteers spend hours each evening calling registered voters and encouraging them to support Measure B.
On the night I phone banked, Superintendent Christine Lim, School Board Trustees Linda Perry and Ray Davis, and Republican Assembly candidate Jill Buck were among the volunteers making calls. Nearly everyone I talked to was supportive, which is very encouraging.
You can find additional phone banking dates at the Measure B web site. McKinley Elementary and Washington Elementary were built in 1916 and are in dire need of upgrades. Windows in many classrooms at McKinley Elementary don't even open, creating uncomfortable conditions on hot days. If Measure B passes, San Leandro's schools will be in a great position to obtain funds from Proposition 1D, if it passes on November 7.
The September 2006 edition of American Machinist has an article about advances in technical education that includes the following about the re-opening of the metal shop:
Separately, the San Leandro High School, reopened its metal shop just in time for the start of the 2006 --2007 school year, after it had been closed for several years.The shop closed because most of its equipment was old enough to be both out-of-date and in need of so many repairs that it wasn't worthwhile to keep it maintained.
A $75,000 donation from the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA), and a expenditures made by its school district to renovate and purchase updated equipment led to its reopening, and it's now equipped with lathes and milling machines, sheet metal processing equipment and some woodworking equipment, now is in session again under the direction of shop teacher Dion D'Amico.
I attended the re-opening and should note that SMACNA donated $2,000 while the School Board authorized $75,000 for renovation and new equipment.
As a candidate, I'm learning more and more as I talk to people. Katy Murphy at the Daily Review, covers education for Hayward, Castro Valley, San Leandro and San Lorenzo. in the September 18, 2006, edition, she wrote about the nursing situation at San Leandro and some other nearby schools. San Leandro needs more nurses for its schools, but we're still better off than many other districts. I look forward to exploring alternative methods for securing funding (such as hiring a dedicated grant-writer) so that we can provide funding for areas where our need is greatest.
Mike has started to walk the precincts to let people know about his candidacy and why they should vote for him. This is his favorite activity of the whole campaign and he comes home exhilarated and ready for more. It allows him to get to know the voters, the vast majority of whom are very nice and supportive.
He is also holding coffees where people can come and meet them. The next two coffees are at Zocalo Coffeehouse on Sat. Sept. 23rd from 8:30 to 10 AM and Tuesday Sept. 26 from 7 to 8:30 PM. We'll announce more dates and locations shortly.
If you want to help Mike win, please e-mail us for volunteer opportunities or come to our volunteer meeting on Sep. 27th. You can also download window & lawn signs, print them and display them.
I am happy to announce that the San Leandro Teachers Association has endorsed my candidacy for San Leandro School Board. The endorsement was based largely on a questionnaire containing eight questions that was submitted on Monday, September 11, 2006. Although the SLTA has conducted in-person interviews in the past, there was not an interview this time. The SLTA represents nearly 500 teachers working to educate the children of the San Leandro Unified School District.
A few weeks ago, I was invited to a meeting of the Sentinels at Vila Cereja, to take place on Wednesday, September 13, 2006. The Sentinels are a local recipient committee (essentially a political action committee) that endorses candidates and gives money to their campaigns. If there is a proverbial "old-boys network" in San Leandro, the Sentinels, formed in 1978, are it. Dale Reed, the President of the Sentinels, and a Planning Commissioner for the City of San Leandro, presided over the meeting. Other candidates at this meeting included my opponent and the candidates for the State Assembly: Republican Jill Buck and a representative for Democrat Mary Hayashi. The candidates for State Assembly went first. Each candidate had a few minutes to introduce themselves, followed by a few questions, and a very brief closing statement. Since three of the most senior members had already endorsed my opponent, it wasn't surprising that he and Jill Buck, the Republican candidate for State Assembly, received the endorsement of the Sentinels.
The Daily Review has published an article on the School Board race between Mike Katz and his opponent. Thea article is very even handed, but I think shows Mike's actual commitment to education and on making the schools better for our children and all San Leandro students.
Mike Katz has just been endorsed for San Leandro School Board by the Alameda County Democratic Party. As a long-term registered Democrat, Mike is proud of the endorsement of his party.
Mike's opponent, Pete Lismer, was a registered Republican until shortly after he decided to run for School Board, at which time he changed his party affiliation.
Are you curious as to what Mike stands for? Do you have questions or suggestions about San Leandro schools? Come and meet Mike and pose all your questions and suggestions. Mike will be at Zocalo on Friday September 15th from 8:30 to 10:00 AM ready to meet you and listen to you. Come and join us!
Mike has been endorsed by San Leandro Vice-Mayor Surlene Grant. Ms. Grant broke ground in San Leandro as the first African American woman to serve in the San Leandro City Council. As the council member for district 2, she represents a large proportion of the population that Mike will represent as the School Board Trustee for area 4. Mike is honored to have her endorsement and looks forward to working closely with her on matters that affect both the city and the schools.
The informational meeting for Measure B, scheduled for Monday September 11th, has been cancelled. The meeting came into conflict with several back to school activities planned around town.
Measure B, the School Bond measure, has a website now at http://www.aboutmeasureb.com/. Check it out and find out why your support of this bond measure is so important.
The San Leandro Community Action Network sent Mike, and other candidates for School Board, a long and comprehensive questionnaire about their experiences, positions and ideas on how to improve San Leandro Schools. You can now read Mike's answers online and find out more about where he stands on the issues.