Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the Trustee, Trustee Area 3 — Santa Clara Unified School District
Find out their top 3 priorities, their experience, and who supports them.
Andrew Knaack and Michele Ryan want to represent District 3 of the Santa Clara Unified School District. Both candidates were invited to answer questions at an online candidate forum via Zoom hosted by the League of Women Voters and the PTA on September 21, 2020. This video forum features candidates that are running for District 2 and District 3 seats on the Santa Clara Unified School District Board.
I currently serve as the Governing Board President of the Santa Clara Unified School District, where I have been a board member since 2012. I recently completed my MBA at the University of Cambridge in the UK where my research project focused on gender diversity on corporate boards.
I have spent my entire career in education, first as a university instructor then in K12 education as both a teacher and school leader. I currently work in adult learning and development.
For ten years, I worked on the front lines of public education in California, moving from middle and high school classroom teaching to curriculum development and school leadership. I’ve seen both what works and what doesn’t in improving student achievement in the classroom, and I have a track record of innovation in my classroom and in schools.
We need to ensure that all decisions we make regarding a return to in-person learning are done with evidence, data, and the guidance from the Public Health Department. We need to ensure that we have a safety plan that is developed with the best expert advice we can get. We need to ensure our schools have the equipment they need to follow all recommended safety protocols.
I have valued the careful guidance of the County Public Health Department and the County Office of Education throughout this pandemic, and my expectation is that when they deem it is safe to resume in person instruction, I would support our transition back to in-person learning unless they are other factors in SCUSD that would provide a reason for us to take a different path. As a board member, I have a track record if using facts and evidence to guide our decision making.
The struggles of distance learning are not theoretical to me—I experience them in my own home with my own children every school day. My kids want to be back in the classroom, and I will support the return to in-person learning when I am confident it can be done safely.
As we moved into distance learning quickly in March 2020, Santa Clara Unified School District was in the fortunate position of having 1:1 chromebooks, so we were able to distribute devices to students. We were also able to distribute curriculum materials to our middle and high school students.
Ensuring all students have internet access, however, is a continuing challenge. We were able to purchase and distribute some hot spots in the spring, and we are continuing to work on other options for students, including the creation of learning centers at some school sites.
With more time to plan, we were able to provide more materials to all students at the start of this school year. My elementary school child, for example, received a box of school supplies, including some equipment needed for PE class, and we have picked up additional materials so far this year.
I am also grateful that Santa Clara Unified has developed a comprehensive health and wellness program during my time on the board, which has been particular important during this time. We have wellness coordinators at each school site, and they are able to check in with students, particularly those who have not been engaged in distance learning.
As we continue to work to ensure all of our students can be successful in distance learning, I have advocated that we fully develop an independent study option for our elementary and middle school students who need an alternative.
We are already seeing an impact on our budget from Covid-19 and distance learning expenses in providing technology and in readying our classrooms to return to in-person learning when it is deemed safe. Thanks to careful budgeting over the past several years, we have been able to absorb these additional costs without significant cuts in other areas.
The biggest hit to our budget, however, will likely come a year from now when our revenue declines as a result of the economic disruption caused by the pandemic. The pandemic’s impact to the larger economy may last longer than the pandemic itself, and if the District’s income declines, the Board will have to make difficult decisions on cuts.
As a teacher and a parent, I know that the most important work in education occurs in the classroom, so my priority in budgeting has always been to preserve as much as possible those areas that directly impact student learning. As we consider areas to cut, I would seek input from our teachers, staff, students, and community members. I want to hear what they consider the most critical services our district provides as well as the areas where we could pause spending. I have a track record on the board of ensuring that we include input from diverse community stakeholders in our decision making.
From my own perspective, three of the most critical areas are attracting and retaining the best possible teachers for our students, keeping class sizes as small as possible, and maintaining services for both special needs and ELD students. As an experienced educator and school leader, I know three areas have the greatest impact on student learning, and they would be the last places I would want to look for budget cuts.
“Michele Ryan’s deep experience, knowledge, and heart make her an effective leader on the School Board. She brings a laser-like focus to improving teaching and learning for all students” —Hon. Karen Hardy, Santa Clara Vice Mayor and award-winning Teacher
My mission is educating the next generation. I earned my Ph.D. from UCSC, my MBA from Cambridge University, and teaching credentials in Mathematics, Biology, Social Studies, and English. Over the breadth of my career, I’ve taught students in classrooms from kindergarten to college.
My fellow Trustees twice elected me as their Board President. In 2016, you re-elected me by more votes than any Area 3 Trustee in the last 24 years. With your trust I have worked to:
Build four new schools;
Create Mission Early College High School;
Bring millions of additional dollars to the District;
Hire outstanding educational leaders.
As a parent of three SCUSD students and the only credentialed teacher on the Board, I focus on the best outcomes for every student. Today’s challenges require experienced education leadership on the Board. In eight years on the board, I have used influence and collaboration to reduce the political challenges and entrenched systems that hold our great teachers back and limit student achievement. We must continue this work.
Viola Smith, SCUSD Principal and parent notes that “Dr. Michele Ryan’s experienced education leadership is driving Santa Clara Unified School District’s progress in becoming a world-leading school district where all students are prepared for success in college and careers.”
Thank you for your continued support!
Deeply Rooted in SCUSD
When I was a child, my mother made the tough decision to move in with my grandmother, allowing my brother and me to attend SCUSD schools. Growing up in a cramped three-generation household was challenging but allowed me to learn from all the District had to offer. Graduating from Millikin Elementary, Peterson Middle, and Wilcox High (my mom's alma mater) prepared me for college and a lifetime of service.
A Lifetime of Service
After returning to the South Bay post-college, I joined AmeriCorps and from then on devoted my career to helping vulnerable children and families through local nonprofits, including AACI (a community health center), LifeMoves (a homeless shelter network), and my current role at Ronald McDonald House Charities Bay Area (provider of housing and supportive services for families with critically ill children).
Over the years, I have given back through many community-focused organizations, including Rotary International, Japantown Community Congress of San Jose, and Women’s Empowerment International. I stay engaged in my local community, including a six-year member and current chair of the Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Commission. I am currently founding the City of Santa Clara Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with support from Santa Clara City Council.
Business, as usual, is failing, and students are being left behind as a result. In this quickly changing political and educational landscape, students, families, and staff need innovative leaders reflective of the community. If elected, I would be the only district alumnus and Asian American trustee. As SCUSD navigates a global pandemic that has exacerbated socioeconomic, racial, educational, and health disparities, my nonprofit leadership experience (spanning children’s health care access, housing insecurity and homelessness, and holistic health services for marginalized and vulnerable ethnic communities in Santa Clara County) is critical to meet the moment. My unique demographics, proven commitment to community service, and community-centered policy positions are vital to building bridges between the School Board and students, staff, and communities of color.
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