Michael is a San Francisco native who has lived in Dublin since 1991. His passion for community activism was sparked when his daughter was in first grade by the simple act of volunteering to sell fireworks for a school fundraiser. What followed was 15 years of hands-on service and leadership that has included elected positions on the School Site Councils of Frederiksen Elementary, Wells Middle School,  and Dublin High School. He served on both the Citizens Bond Oversight and the Dublin Unified School District ("DUSD") Homework and Grading committees, participated as a stakeholder on behalf of Valley High School during their Western Association of Schools and Colleges ("WASC") Accreditation, and volunteered as an in-classroom tutor for 10 years at Frederiksen Elementary School.

These efforts earned him the DUSD Outstanding Volunteer Recognition in 2009 and the Superintendent's Award in 2017. Over the course of a decade, he collaborated with James Morehead as a Features Writer for OneDublin.org. With a focus on "Excellence in Education", highlighting success stories from every school site in the District, the online content produced has been viewed over 1 million times.

Michael earned a B.A. degree in Business Administration from California State University East Bay (nee Hayward). Michael has enjoyed a variety of careers that have improved health and benefited many clients. A Pharmaceutical Sales vocation over seven years with Sanofi-Aventis then led to an eight year engagement in the Scientific and Technical Recruiting space. With an emphasis on first-time home buyers, Michael worked in residential real estate for 12 years with Fox Real Estate in Danville. This pivotal switch in profession allowed him to work from home and become a front-line parent volunteer, advocate, and leader. More recently, he served as the Funding and Events Coordinator for the Dublin Partners in Education (DPIE) foundation. He and his wife, Katherine, have been married for 27 years and have one daughter who graduated from Dublin High School in 2017 and is in her fourth year at U.C. Davis.

Service & Leadership

• President/Member of Dublin High School School Site Council 2013-2017
• President/Member of Wells Middle School Site Council 2010-2013
• President/Member of Frederiksen Elementary School Site Council 2007-2010
• Member, DUSD Community Review Committee that served to evaluate locations for the new high school
• Member, DUSD Homework & Grading Committee
• Member, DUSD Citizens Bond Oversight Committee 2012-2016
• Challenge Day Facilitator, Valley High School
• Read Across America, Annual Volunteer Reader
• Academic Tutor at Frederiksen Elementary School for 10 years, grades K, 1, 3-5
• Troop 32595 Volunteer & Member, Girl Scouts of America 2005-2017

Awards

• California School Boards Association Golden Quill Award (Features writer for OneDublin.org) 2019
• Dublin High School Video Production Reel Award 2019
• DUSD Superintendent's Award 2017
• City of Dublin Mayor's Award - OneDublin.org 2016
• DUSD Outstanding Volunteer 2009

My name is Michael Utsumi and I believe in Dublin Schools and the high-quality education this district offers our children.

I have demonstrated that belief by my actions, work, and advocacy for more than 15 years, occupying many roles including: parent volunteer, School Site Council chair at three different campuses, advocate, fundraiser and community partnership coordinator, helping to bring hundreds of thousands of dollars into Dublin classrooms. 

I have both the extensive experience and perspective necessary to serve the Dublin Unified School District ("DUSD") as the Trustee for Area 4.

Our Board must lead by example in demonstrating trust and stability, creating opportunities for collaboration and consensus and ensuring that we actively listen and respond to the needs of our community. I am committed to fighting for what I believe in, contributing to thoughtful, respectful dialogue and then supporting the decisions we have made as a collective.

We must continue to prioritize the academic success of all students as well as their social and emotional wellness. 

We must provide teachers, leaders and staff the resources they need to weather this difficult time and move our district forward. 

We must prepare for the future of our new facilities by spending smart and making the most of our finite resources to create the best possible learning environments for students.

We must move toward greater equity for our students by working diligently to close achievement gaps. We must do this purposefully, by asking what our students need, how we will get it for them and what barriers must be overcome.

DUSD will be put to the test on many levels over the next decade. I am prepared right now to be a leader on the Board, a champion for all students and would be honored to have your vote on November 3.