Candidate Experience
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Oakland Unified School District - School Director, Trustee Area 7
School Director, Trustee Area 7 — Oakland Unified School District
Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the School Director, Trustee Area 7 — Oakland Unified School District
Find out their top 3 priorities, their experience, and who supports them.
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About this office
Members establish educational goals and standards, approve curricula and the district’s budget, approve various purchases and renovations, and appoint the superintendent of schools.
This office uses ranked-choice voting, or “instant run-off voting.” When marking your ballot, instead of voting for just one candidate, rank up to three candidates in order of your preference.See the Voting info section for more.
You must select at least 2 candidates to compare them.
Candidates
You can vote for 1 of these 5 candidates.
Clifford Thompson
5th grade teacher
Top 3 Priorities
- I would create and establish innovative solutions...
- By expanding BP 6006, I would make sure all student...
- I will focus on fiscal solvency, transparency, and...
Profile
Endorsed by
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Mayor Schaaf, Larry Reid, James Harris, Bishop Wordlaw, Pastor Jenkins, Emma Roos, East Bay Times, Oakland Chamber, etc.
Top 3 Priorities
Ben "Coach" Tapscott's priorities are not yet available.
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Profile
Endorsed by
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Top 3 Priorities
Kristina Molina's priorities are not yet available.
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Bronché Taylor
Fiscal Sponsorship Coordinator
Top 3 Priorities
- Foster strong relationships with students, parents,...
- Fundraise and maintain fiscal accountability and stewardship
- Innovate policies and procedures to create better...
Profile
Endorsed by
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Victor Javier Valerio
Transportation Project Engineer
Top 3 Priorities
- Re-evaluate our Budget Priorities to Allocate Resources...
- Revitalize our School Leadership toward Transparency,...
- Build Trust between the Community and the School District.
Profile
Endorsed by
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Oakland RisingWellstone Renewal Democratic ClubBlock By Block Organization NetworkNetwork for Public EducationCWA Local 9415Educators For Democratic SchoolsNational Lawyers League - Sacramento ChapterFrustrated SociaistsMicah GrantRoseann TorresShanthi GonzalesDr. Stan OdenJoe CotoAnnie FloresRenee SwayneAlison MacdonaldEllen SalazarPatricia ArabiaDan SiegelJihan Macdonald
5th Grade Teacher
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Candidate has provided information.
My Top 3 Priorities
- I would create and establish innovative solutions to solve the digital divided in our district to ensure educational equity.
- By expanding BP 6006, I would make sure all student have access to high quality teaching and safe, excellent schools.
- I will focus on fiscal solvency, transparency, and accountability.
Experience
Education
UC Davis, Cal State Hayward, USF — I have two BAs, two MAs, and two doctorates., In my BA program I studied French, Rhetoric, and Liberal Studies. In my MA program, I studies Educational Admin. (2016)
Who supports this candidate?
Elected Officials (1)
- Mayor Schaaf, Larry Reid, James Harris, Bishop Wordlaw, Pastor Jenkins, Emma Roos, East Bay Times, Oakland Chamber, etc.
Questions & Answers
Questions from LWV Oakland (4)
Please provide examples of what you have done that reflects a commitment to K-12 public education, particularly in OUSD. For example, please list and describe all significant volunteer efforts, professional experiences, completed projects etc.
Answer from Clifford Thompson:
1. I tutored elementary students in reading, writing, and math.
2. Provided professional development.
3. Served as the GATE educator.
4. Participated in equity projects.
5. Helped to develop curriculum.
6. Participate in professional development.
7. Served as a community ambassador
8. Campaigned to Get Out To Vote.
If elected, how will you advocate for the following student groups using a holistic and equitable approach to address their needs - whether they are due to low performance and/or social emotional needs: English Learners, Homeless/Unhoused, Students with Disabilities, African-American, Pacific Islander, Foster Youth, LGBTQIA+, Latinx.
Answer from Clifford Thompson:
It is important to hear the voice of everyone in order to get a comprehensive understanding of the needs of all groups. It is vital to remembet that all voices are valuable and when one sector of our society is neglected, we have an impcomplet rendering of the commuity in its totality. Therfore, there are several steps I would take in order to bring about inclusiveness.
1. Establish meetings to hear from everyone.
2. Make sure the times are convenient for most, it not all participants.
3. Have a structured protocol to elicit everyone's participation.
4. Actively engage a prodecure to allow time for a report out.
5. Identify action items that are important to each indentified group.
6. Actuate a call to action.
Given COVID-19, under what circumstances would you feel comfortable returning students to in-person classes and what will you do to ensure that distance learning is equitable and effective?
Answer from Clifford Thompson:
I feel student and staff safety is a major concern. Maintaining the safety of our students and staff is primary to me because (a) if the student is not safe, learning cannot take place, (b) if the student contracts the virus it can be transmitted to other family members, other students, and community members, (c) financial continuity of the district will be affected. Likewise if the staff is not safe, it makes the delivery of education next to impossible. Compounded is the fact that parents have to work. Therefore, there will be a delicate balance between the number days students are in school affording parents the opportunity to go to work and provide for the family. Additionally, a major point of concern is the social/emotional well being of the students.
This pandemic highlighted the inherent inequity that exists in our district. It showed that certain students and families have the resources/accessibility to the necessary tools to continue the educative process. Conversely, the light was shined on those who lack the resources/accessibility. Unfortunately, the hardest hit subgroups are those who have traditionally been underserved.
I must acknowledge that the District moved to provided resources to all students, however, it
was not done according to the timeline I would have implemented. That said, the move to online
learning was not as smoothly done. I think structure adequate processes were not established
to address issues such as the pandemic. I would have established a team to preempt the
aforementioned situations. Additionally, I think there should be a team or task force that should
have been establish to deal with situations such as the pandemic. In other words, predictive
planning should always be part of any strategy. By doing the aforementioned, equity could be achieved.
In 2021, OUSD will no longer have its own police force. How would you re-imagine school safety (e.g., whole school RJ, counseling services etc.)?
Answer from Clifford Thompson:
For sure, Restorative Justices practices will have to be implemented in all schools.
The reallocation of funds to counseling services will have to actuated.
There will have to be more dollars put in professional development for our teachers.
4,609 votes (25.36%)Check
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Communications Coordinator
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Fiscal Sponsorship Coordinator
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Candidate has provided information.
My Top 3 Priorities
- Foster strong relationships with students, parents, teachers, and community
- Fundraise and maintain fiscal accountability and stewardship
- Innovate policies and procedures to create better educational experiences and outcomes.
Experience
Experience
Profession:Fiscal Sponsorship Coordinator
Fiscal Sponsorship Coordinator, Oakland Public Education Fund (2019–current)
Community Programs and Afterschool Program Director, Mcclymonds High School (2015–2019)
Arts and Expression Director / Teacher, Youth Uprising / Castlemont High School (2010–2015)
Student Trustree, San Joaquin Delta College (Stockton) — Elected position (2014–2015)
Videos (1)
Candidate Contact Info
Transportation Project Engineer
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My Top 3 Priorities
- Re-evaluate our Budget Priorities to Allocate Resources for Academic Support, Resource Centers, and End Community School Closures.
- Revitalize our School Leadership toward Transparency, Collective Accountability, and Community Building.
- Build Trust between the Community and the School District.
Experience
Experience
Profession:Transportation Project Engineer
Transportation Project Engineer, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (2019–current)
Committee Member, Oakland Unified School District Citizen Bond Oversight Commitee for Bond A, B and J — Appointed position (2018–current)
Committee Member, Human Relations Committee for City of Davis — Elected position (2002–2004)
Youth Comissioner, City of Oakland Youth Commission — Appointed position (2000–2001)
Education
San Francisco State University — Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering (2017)
San Francisco State University — Bachelor of Arts, Political Science (2017)
Community Activities
Project Lead, Engineers Without Borders (2011–current)
Biography
Our school district is at a critical juncture. Never before have there been four (4) open school board seats. Last year, the Alameda Grand Jury released a report on a broken administrative culture in OUSD that results in millions of dollars wasted every year. We don’t have millions to waste. I’m running for the school board because East Oakland is my community and we deserve a school district that is transparent, collectively accountable, and visionary. We need strong neighborhood schools where parents can entrust their children to attend.
I grew up in East Oakland and attended Oakland public schools. I am the first generation of a Mexican family that emigrated to the Bay Area in search of a good life for their children. Both my parents worked hard to make ends meet. Education was important to them and they made sure their children graduated from high school and college. I believe in public education, people having a chance to succeed, and a hard work ethic.
Today I work as a project engineer with SFMTA. I work on transportation projects ensuring their completion and functionality via engineering and management. I am also a commissioner for the Independent Citizen Bond Oversight Committee for Measures A, B and J. I am aware of the obstacles the school district faces. I have observed the proliferation of charter schools in Oakland that have proven detrimental to the overall financial health of the district. That has led to misguided school closures and the inability of the district to get to a true level of fiscal solvency. I believe as School Board Director I can provide the history, the experience in management, student experience, and community background to help redirect the leadership role of the school board and reevaluate the course of action needed to strengthen public education for all students.
Who supports this candidate?
Organizations (8)
- Oakland Rising
- Wellstone Renewal Democratic Club
- Block By Block Organization Network
- Network for Public Education
- CWA Local 9415
- Educators For Democratic Schools
- National Lawyers League - Sacramento Chapter
- Frustrated Sociaists
Elected Officials (3)
- Micah Grant
- Roseann Torres
- Shanthi Gonzales
Individuals (9)
- Dr. Stan Oden
- Joe Coto
- Annie Flores
- Renee Swayne
- Alison Macdonald
- Ellen Salazar
- Patricia Arabia
- Dan Siegel
- Jihan Macdonald
Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
I primarily see myself as a community member (and a former student) being elected to work toward regaining community ownership of the school district, establishing collective accountability, and prioritizing student’s success in low-performing community schools. As School Board Director, it is my duty to build trust between the school district organized to represent and be at service of the students preparation, workforce development, and community building with communities. As a School Board Director, oversight and strengthening of District-run schools is the forefront. It is also the responsibility of the School Board to increase student enrollment, engage in community input, be transparent on budget, and diligent on budget expenditures.
Oakland deserves strong schools that prepare everyone for a fulfilling life. I know firsthand what is great about Oakland Unified and where we struggle. I was born in East Oakland in an immigrant family, grew up attending public schools, and became the first in my family to finish college. My roots are in this city and now is my time to serve. In High School, I was elected ASB President and worked with other student leaders to advocate for better learning environments. In other words, I have been interested in these issues for a long time. Now, I serve as a committee member for the Citizen Bond Oversight Committee for A, B, and J providing critical oversight for publicly approved bonds.
Videos (1)
Candidate Experience
— October 22, 2020 Victor Valerio for OUSD School Board 2020
Self portrait image, images of students studying with parents, news article on OUSD school closures and scandals, and emphasinzing on why I am the better choice.
