I have spent the past 17 years in public service advocating for the citizens of California through my work for Senator Dianne Feinstein, as a education program evaluator for school districts and afterschool programs, and as a Director of Federal Relations for University of California. In these roles, I am responsible for providing timely and detailed analysis of legislative proposals and their impact, and and I will bring my analytical skills to the role of Board of Education Trustee. I received my Master’s in Public Policy from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy focusing on K-12 education policy and graduated cum laude with Honors in Government from Claremont McKenna College. My Masters Thesis investigated city programs to reduce teacher turnover in San Francisco. I worked with the San Francisco teachers union and gathered best practices from around the country to inform my recommendations. A year after I gave my report to the City of San Francisco, then-Mayor Newsom implemented my recommendation that the city create a downpayment assistance program for teachers to help with the high cost of housing. I currently serve as the President of the Terra Linda HOA and was appointed by Mayor Phillips to serve on the Wildfire Prevention Committee in San Rafael. My husband Kieran grew up in San Rafael, and we are thrilled to raise our two kids, William and Juliet, where they can receive an excellent public education.
San Rafael Elementary School DistrictCandidate for Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 1
Gina Daly
Higher Education Director
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Candidate has provided information.
My Top 3 Priorities
- Ensure that a return to in-classroom instruction is guided by science, not politics
- Close the digital divide and put equity at the center of all programs
- Attract and retain excellent teachers
Experience
Experience
Profession:Advocate for Public Higher Education
Director of Federal Relations, UC Berkeley (2015–current)
Committee member, San Rafael Wildfire Prevention Committee — Appointed position (2019–current)
President, Terra Linda Homeowners Association — Elected position (2017–current)
Director of Federal Relations, UC Davis (2011–2015)
Director of Field Services, Senator Dianne Feinstein (2008–2011)
Associate for Evaluation, Hatchuel Tabernik & Associates (2007–2008)
Legislative Correspondent for the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Dianne Feinstein (2003–2005)
Education
University of California, Berkeley — Masters of Public Policy, K-12 education policy (2007)
Claremont McKenna College — Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Government and French (2003)
Community Activities
Board of Trustee, Goggio Family Foundation (2008–current)
Biography
Who supports this candidate?
Featured Endorsements
- Gary Phillips, Mayor of San Rafael
- Greg Knell, San Rafael Board of Education Trustee
- John Gamblin, San Rafael City Council
Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
I am a lifelong Democrat who believes that public education has the power to close the opportunity gap in this country. Every decision that I will make as a school board member will be in the best interest of the students with the highest need in order to improve student outcomes. I have spent many years working with underrepresented minority students to help them achieve their policy goals and will share that experience and knowledge to empower our young people to make the change they wish to see in their community. As a mother of two young kids, I want them to grow up in a more fair and equal society, and it starts with ensuring that every child has the best start in life.
Position Papers
COVID-19 Safety
Summary
Any return to in-classroom instruction must follow science, not political pressures.
Students, parents, teachers and staff need to trust that there is a plan in place for a safe return to in-person instruction and that it follows science, not political pressures.
At the same time, parents need to work and are under immense pressure to oversee their children's daily classwork, have their children at home, and keep their jobs. Other families are experiencing job loss and reduced pay and hours as a result of the pandemic.
I will work with local public health authorities to understand the latest science and public health guidance to ensure that returning to school is safe for our students, teachers, and staff.
If the evidence suggests that we can’t have in-person instruction, we must keep equity at the forefront as we provide additional assistance to students who need more assistance because of socio-economic status or who need supportive services.
Communication and transparency in decision making is necessary to help parents, teachers and staff make informed decisions about a return to the classroom.
Equity and Excellence
Summary
We must ensure that equity and empathy are at the core of every decision that we make.
One of the hardest lessons of the pandemic is evidence of a stark digital divide that has been exacerbated by the move to remote learning. We need to make sure that every student has access to technology regardless of their socio-economic status. This not only includes providing computers to students to use at home, but ensuring that students have access to WiFi. I will work with the City of San Rafael, County of Marin, and the schools to close the digital divide.
I will advocate for more funding for public education. We will always lose if we believe that funding is a zero sum game with winners and losers. As a lobbyist, I have experience building coalitions at every level of government. More funding for students will ensure that they have the foundation they need to succeed in life regardless of their parents' income.
College and Career Readiness
Summary
We need to align our standards with what students need to attend college and to start their careers.
The achievement gap in the San Rafael City Schools must be addressed. Students of color are dropping out at higher rates than their white peers and disadvantaged students aren’t completing the required courses to attend University of California and the California State University system, known as A-G courses. Graduation requirements from San Rafael City Schools currently do not meet the A-G requirements, meaning that a student can graduate and still not be eligible to attend a four-year public university in California.
Using the best research, case studies from other cities, and drawing on the knowledge from our own community, I will work with the school district, families and teachers to address inequity and provide better pathways to college and career for all students.
