MONDAY 12:10PM IN TH SCHOOL LIBRARY
TENTATIVE AGENDA:
1. BUILDING REP UPDATES
2. SCHOOL LOOP
3. OTHER BUSINESS
PLEASE ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE
UBC MEETING MINUTES: APRIL 20TH, 2009
RECORDER: DAVID WILLIAMS
IN ATTENDANCE: 25 THANK YOU
GUESTS: NIK KASTNER, LINDA PLACK, KN TRAY, DENNIS KELLY
UBC REPS.: GERBER,BROWN,WILLIAMS, WOOTN,MCCACHREN,GALGANO
A. APRIL 28TH, 2009: 4:30PM, UESF MARCH IN SUPPORT OF LOWER CLASS SIZES
…..AT 727 GOLDEN GATE, CIVIC CNTER SCHOOL…PLEASE PARTICIPATE. (SEE
ATTACHED BLOW)
B. NIK KASTNER: GREEN SUSTAINABILITY….DEVELOP SCHOOL GREEN TEAM….
C. SCHOOL SITE GREEN TEAM LEADER: DANIELL BELLUOMINI : NOMINATED AND
UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED
D. DISCUSSION OF ROLE AND RSPONSIBILITIES OF GREEN TEAM….$500.00
STIPEND FOR SUPPORT….EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES….SEE MS BELLUOMINI FOR
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
E. DENNIS KELLY: UESF LOCAL 61 PRESIDENT: SPOKE ON MARCH IN SUPPORT OF
PARAS AND SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. FIRST TIM SCHOOL BOARD RESCINDED
LAYOFFS. 38 PARAS COULD HAVE BEEN LAID OFF. SCHOOL BOARD VOTED 5 TO 2
TO RESCIND THESE LAYOFFS.
F. LINDA PLACK UESF LOCAL 61 VICE PRESIDENT:YOUR SUPPORT NEEDED TO
MARCH IN SUPPORT SFUSD MAINTAINING LOWER CLASS SIZES. SFUSD WANTS TO
RAISE CLASS SIZS BY 3-5 STUDENTS. MARCH WITH UESF TEACHRS AND STAFF
4/28/09 TO 555 FRANKLIN…YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED.
G. KELLY/PLACK/MCCACHREN…..: DISCUSSION OF SCHOOL LOOP PROGRAM. WILL
COST MILLIONS, NO NGOTIATIONS WITH UNION TO DATE ON SCHOOL LOOP,
CONCERNS IT WILL SIPHON NDED MONIES FOR TEXTBOOKS AND INSTRUCTIONAL
MATERIALS, CONCERNS OVR ADDITIONAL HOURS OF WORK WITHOUT PAY TEACHERS
WILL B RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLETING.
H. LINDA PLACK/ KEN TRAY C.O.P.E DIRECTOR: UESF SUPPORT LEAD TO PASSAG
OF PROP A . 70% USED FOR SALARY INCREASES EVERY MONTH. REST FOR
PRINCIPAL SALARIS AND AND OTHER ITEMS SUCH AS TECHNOLOGY …ETC. PROP A
MONIS WILL ALSO BE USED TO PROVIDE EXTRA MONY FOR HARD TO FILL SCHOOLS,
SPECIAL EDUCATION , MATH, AND SCIENCE. 4-5TH YEAR TEACHRS AND 8TH-9TH
YEAR TEACHERS WILL ALSO SEE BONUSES.
I. PLACK- SCHOOL LOOP – PILOTED NOT BROUGHT TO UNION . UNION WILL SPEAK
WITH PROGRAM COORDINATOR AND TH NGOTIAT WITH SFUSD FOR ADDITIONAL
MONIES. VISTACION VALLY VOTD NOT TO DO IT OVER PRINCIPAL. IT IS NOT
WORKING WLL AT A.P. GIANINNI.
J. KELLY/PLACK/TRAY- PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP CAUCUS:
1. WORK TOGETHER AS TEAM
2. RUNNING AGAINST EDU
3. PLC- ACTIVE IN PARAPROFESSIONAL FIGHT
4. SUPPORTED RAINY DAY FUND
5. MADE UESF A RESPCTE UNION , WHOSE SUPPORT IS SOUGHT OUT ON MANY
ISSUES
6. DISCUSSED EFFORTS AS PLC
PLEASE ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN THIS IMPORTANT RALLY !!!!!!!!!!!!
Rally to Keep Class Size Small
Tuesday, Aprl 28 - 5:00 p.m.
Half-sheet Flyer for fellow educators & parents
On March 24th the SFUSD Board of Education passed a resolution late in
the night that would raise class size in Kindergarten next year to 22.
UESF Vice-President Linda Plack was on hand to tell them what a
terrible idea the resolution was.
Now, it's time to send the message again. Let's tell the Board to do
everything in their power to save the valuable and successful Class
Size Reduction program.
UESF will rally at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, April
28th. We'll start with a 5:00 p.m. meeting in the auditorium of Civic
Center Secondary (727 Golden Gate Ave.), march to 555 Franklin at 5:30,
and send several speakers into the Board meeting at 6:00 p.m.
This is an issue that not only affects Kindergarten students and
teachers, but the whole of every elementary school. Wear your UESF
t-shirts. Ask your parents to come along.
Class Size Letter to Board of Education
The teachers and paras at Feinstein Elementary have developed a letter
to send to the Board Commissioners about class size. Please consider
using this as a template to create your own letter. Also, don't forget
to contact your PTA and tell them about the situation and ask them to
join us on the 28th.
UESF LOCAL 61 MONTHLY MEETINGS:
April 27, 2009
Joint UESF/SFUSD Special Education Committee Mtg.
4:15 p.m. @ Civic Center Secondary School - Library (727 Golden Gate
Ave. [map])
April 28, 2009
Rally to Keep Class Sizes Small.
5:00 p.m. @ 555 Franklin Ave. Details coming soon.
GO TO THIS WBSITE IF YOU WISH TO READ CANDIDATES STATEMENTS …..
http://www.uesf.org/09_election/index.html
SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE TO READ STATEMENTS ON THIS WEBSITE LOCATION
Candidate List for 2009 UESF Election
As appearing on Official Ballot
Note: Number to be elected in each categaory in parantheses ( ).
Officers
President (1)
1 - Adrienne Johnstone
2 - Dennis Kelly
Vice-Pres-Paraprofessionals (1)
3 - Carolyn Samoa
Secretary (1)
4 - Susan Solomon
5 - Lita Blanc
Sergeant-at-Arms (1)
6 - Roberto Michel
7 - Karen Zapata
Executive Vice-President (1)
8 - Linda Festa Plack
9 - Tom Edminster
Vice-Pres-Substitutes (1)
10 - Elizabeth (Liz) Conley
11 - Julian P Lagos
Treasurer (1)
12 - Darlene M Anaya
13 - Elaine Merriweather
Certificated Representatives
High School (4)
14 - Heidi Scott
15 - Giulio Salvador Sorro
16 - James E Pierce II
17 - Kathleen Cecil
18 - Kathy Melvin
19 - Claire J Merced
20 - Lawrence Orloff
21 - Stanley A DeBella
Middle School (3)
22 - Patty Golumb
23 - David Russitano
24 - Mark Murray
25 - Larry P. Blake
Special Education (1)
26 - James A. Galgano
27 - Patricia Mann
Elementary School (5)
28 - Rose Karlsberg Curreri
29 - Julia Fung
30 - Jeffrey Franey
31 - Cynthia Lasden
32 - Carmen D Melendez-Lugo
33 - Kit Bell
34 - Darcie Chan Blackburn
35 - Earl Lene DeSantiago
36 - Magdalena De Guzman
Child Development (1)
37 - Betty Robinson-Harris
Substitutes (2)
38 - James Sheldon
39 - Marilyn Cornwell
40 - Ron Trapp
41 - Robert Heller
42 - Daniel Markarian
Bilingual (1)
43 - Lisa Gutierrez Guzman
44 - Helen Karoukian
Counselors (1)
45 - Jay Kozak
Support Services (1)
46 - Susan Kitchell
47 - Sarah Brant
At-Large (4)
48 - Luisa E. Ezquerro
49 - Ken Tray
50 - Derrlyn Tom
51 - Andy Libson
52 - Jeremiah Jeffries
53 - David Kubrin
54 - Richard Moore
55 - Gale Ow
Classified Representatives
Instructional Aides - Series A (3)
56 - Janet Eberhardt
57 - Salvador Aguilera
58 - Tom Henriksen
Special Education - Series N, S (2)
59 - Anthony B Singleton
60 - Cathy O'Byrne Shewchuk
61 - Diane Johnson
Support Services-Series P (1)
62 - Teanna Tillery
Community Relations-Series R (1)
63 - Mary A Lavalais
64 - Annette Hughes
Security Aides-Series T (1)
65 - A J Frazier
Child Development - Series C (2)
66 - Rachelle Glaze
67 - Aracelly Martinez
68 - Karen M Quinn
LABOR COUNCIL DELEGATES (13)
69 - Carolyn Samoa
70 - Susan Solomon
71 - Linda Festa Plack
72 - Judith Christensen
73 - Patricia L Crawford
74 - Jaffrey Franey
75 - James A. Galgano
76 - Tom Edminister
77 - Darlene M Anaya
78 - Ken Tray
79 - Andy Libson
80 - Annette Hughes
81 - Robert Heller
82 - Tom Harriman
83 - Jeremiah Jeffries
84 - Adrienne Johnstone
85 - Hene Kelly
86 - Dennis Kelly
87 - Claire J Merced
88 - Gale Ow
89 - Karen Zapata
90 - Earl Lene De Santiago
91 - Magdalena De Guzman
2009 UESF Officer, Executive Board, and Labor Council Election
Election Timeline
Tuesday, April 21 – Candidate forum for officer positions of Executive
Board. Forum will start at 5:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Secondary
school auditorium.
Friday, April 24 – Ballots will be mailed out no later than this date.
Friday, May 15 – All ballots must reach the locked postal box no later
than 5:00 p.m. Ballots may be hand delivered at the UESF office only on
Friday, May 15 before 5:00 p.m.
Monday, May 18 – Ballots will be tallied by machine. Results to be
announced via email and UESF website.
Candidate Statements
The following candidate statements and photos are listed by office, and
then by alphabetical order. The number to be elected in each category
is in parentheses.
Executive Officers
PRESIDENT (1)
Adrienne Johnstone
Adrienne believes that our union has three main tasks in front of it in
the years to come:
• First, we must fight for the rights of ALL members, especially our
lowest paid members who are being left behind.
• Second, we must build and lead a movement for the full funding of
public education so that all children, especially poor children and
children of color can have access to high quality education.
• Third, we must not only take a stand, but actively participate in
building the social justice movements that take on poverty, war and
racism.
Adrienne is in her ninth year of public school teaching in SFUSD. She
taught for seven years at George Washington Carver, two at SF Community
K-8. As building rep. at Carver she built a strong UBC and was an
active voice for her site at the Assembly meetings. She is currently
Building Rep at SF Community and a member of the UESF Executive Board.
In 2006 she was a lead organizer for UESF's Contract Organizing Team
and was awarded the CFT "Emerging Union Leadership" Award in 2006.
Adrienne is a socialist and labor activist who has not confined her
activism to UESF alone. She has been active in the San Francisco
antiwar movement since the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. She was an
MC for the January 27, 2007 antiwar demonstration and a past member of
the Bay Area Labor Committee for Peace and Justice. She was an
organizer for the Labor Day march for Immigrants Rights in 2006 and for
the protest against Prop 8 on November 15 and the "Day Without a Gay"
rally on December 10.
Support leadership that believes that by involving the largest number
of people possible our union can struggle and win. Vote EDU. Visit
educatorssf.com.
Dennis Kelly
In this election you have a clear choice to continue the success and
growth experienced by UESF over the past six years of the Dennis
Kelly-Linda Plack leadership.
The Kelly-Plack team is also known as the Progressive Leadership Caucus
slate. Dennis Kelly and Linda Plack ran for UESF office in 2003 with a
group of friends and allies who had come together as the Progressive
Leadership for UESF. In subsequent elections, some of the faces have
changed, but the name has remained.
The Progressive Leadership candidates have made solid gains for our
union:
• pay raises
• layoffs fought to a standstill
• educational leadership and professional respect for our profession.
Six years ago the Kelly-Plack team was voted into office to put a spark
into the union and end the era of cozy dealing with a vengeful
administration.
• reconstitution was defeated
• Arlene Ackerman left town
• a friendlier Board of Education was elected
• UESF developed more UBCs.
Since that time our union has grown in stature as our strength has been
tested.
• election victories for Prop H, and Prop A parcel tax
• defeat of key Board of Ed opponents
• solid contractual gains through negotiations.
Our union has come to be seen as a powerful force within the politics
of the city based on the accomplishments mentioned above. That newfound
respect has allowed us to sponsor retirement celebrations in City Hall
and receive a million dollar housing support from the Mayor in the form
of the Teacher Next Door program.
• UESF members are now known citywide by their distinctive UESF shirts.
• Rallies and demonstrations regularly see hundreds of teachers,
paras, and other school workers turn out for mutual support.
Please Vote for the Progressive Leadership Caucus candidates and
continue UESF's important work.
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT (1)
Tom Edminster
Roles/service since 1987:
Executive Board & delegate -- SF Labor Council: majority of last 22
years.
UESF Sgt At Arms, 3 years
Served on/initiated UESF bodies:
founder, chair & co-chair: Peace Justice and Human Rights Committee
past participant: Site-based Services, Educational Policy & Student
Outcomes, Budget, Personnel,
Amendment Protocols, Rules Committees
Bldg. Rep: Lincoln HS
Initial author/reviser of many portions of UESF Constitution and ByLaws
Past chair & current co-chair, Labor in the Schools Committee, CFT
Delegate: most CFT conventions & several NEA & AFT conventions
Values/politics: solidarity, democracy, transparency, inclusion
Time: UESF members/ school employees need time
to collaborate in educational decisions/assessments & to participate
in their union
The struggle for time is a struggle for
A decent workload;
Input and control over time: professional time uses should be
determined
by those who do the work—-we need time to collaborate on issues of
curriculum,
the needs of school site and on behalf of specific students.
Empowerment & Alternatives:
UESF members need time & consultation-with each other & with union
leadership
UESF needs to foster competency:
leadership, staff & members need to learn/develop their skills and
responsibilities:
build a culture of empowerment, encouragement & expectation.
UESF needs:
an internal culture to seek & develop alternatives, not merely
pre-digested formulae
to fight for basic public education:
basic funding (not just grant money, bond money, categorical
set-asides, regressive taxes, etc.) for ALL
school needs: salaries and wages of ALL employees, adequate program at
every school site, all support services, basic infrastructure: roofs,
computer networks, custodial & clerical support, textbooks, etc.
pro-active policies on:
funding adequate public education
small schools and school size
testing, standards and appropriate public education
Educators for a Democratic Union: for YOU and for ALL of us!!
http://www.educatorssf.com/
Linda Plack
What have you done for us lately????
People ask the question in a variety of ways.
The answer is hours, wages and working conditions.
That is the primary responsibility of your union. How the elected
officers of UESF work to get the best we can for our members is what
having a union is all about.
• It is done at the bargaining table by negotiating the best contract
we can get.
• It is done at the school site by organizing members to insist that
the contract is followed.
• It is done at the local, state and national level by advocating for
what the membership needs and wants. It is done at the ballot box by
electing responsive office holders who can be held accountable for
their actions.
• It is done by participating in the larger labor movement in the city
and in the state.
• It is done through a democratically run organization whose members
are informed and encouraged to participate.
That is what we do, and that is what we have done.
That is what the Kelly Plack team has done for all of it's members for
the last six years.
And what it will continue to do in the future.
VICE-PRESIDENT PARAPROFESSIONALS (1)
Carolyn Samoa
Please re-elect Carolyn Samoa for Vice President for Paraprofessionals.
I will continue to fight for a better Paraprofessional retirement,
better compensation and benefits for all UESF members. In these
difficult times we need strong experience leadership. Please vote
Kelly/Plack, the PLC team. Let's continue to build our union.
VICE-PRESIDENT SUBSTITUTES (1)
Liz Conley
INCUMBENT. Experienced in resolving problems for substitutes.
Successfully developed the site administrator survey, now in its 3rd
year. Committed to improving working conditions for ALL, especially the
lowest paid members, substitutes and paraprofessionals. Member - PLC.
Supporter of the Kelly/Plack recent successes. Retired Multiple Subject
Spanish Bilingual Teacher. VOTE PLC!
Julian P. Lagos
R-E-S-P-E-C-T. That's what our Substitute Teachers want and deserve,
both from our District and Union. Translated, Respect means Job
Security, Living Wages, Health Benefits, Sick Leave Pay, Unemployment
Compensation, Legal Representation, Due Process, and Arbitration on
unsettled Grievances. As Vice-President, I will work hard for the
RESPECT you deserve.
SECRETARY (1)
Lita Blanc
EDUCATORS FOR A DEMOCRATIC UNION; UESF EXECUTIVE BOARD and BARGAINING
TEAM. I have been a consistent voice for an informed and active
membership. UESF must defend the rights of all: paras, subs, CDP and
K-12 educators. VOTE EDU!
Susan Solomon
For the past six years, under the leadership of President Dennis Kelly
and Executive Vice President Linda Plack, UESF has made great progress.
We have stronger contracts; Proposition A; increases in salaries at a
time of cutbacks in other districts; maintenance of sabbaticals;
improved paraprofessional retirements benefits; and more substitute
teachers receiving health benefits than ever before. We have activated
Union Building Committees at a vast majority of our sites. This year
saw our first-ever joint UBC/principal training, which never would have
happened without the skills of the experienced professional staff
brought onboard by Kelly and Plack.
Besides working at the school district level to protect and expand our
rights and benefits, UESF has gained local and state recognition as an
organization which must be heard. We have been instrumental in electing
members of the Board of Supervisors, School Board members, and State
legislators. It is important to note that it is not just that elected
officials respond when we reach out to them; they regularly check in
with UESF on issues involving education.
A few years ago, I assisted Linda Plack in founding Local Union Leaders
United, a growing caucus within CTA, CFT, NEA, and AFT. This group of
progressive union leaders from around the state is in the forefront,
pushing our affiliates to take stands for increased funding for all
social programs; against merit pay; and for a change to the 2/3
majority requirement for passing a budget.
Since 2003, it has been my honor to work for you, with Kelly, Plack,
and the many other Progressive Leadership Caucus members, as your
Secretary. My other roles, past and present, include Elementary
Committee Chair; Union Building Representative; delegate to CTA State
Council, NEA Representative Assembly, CFT and AFT conventions; Social
Activities Committee Chair; and Negotiations Team Secretary.
Vote PLC!
TREASURER (1)
Darlene M. Anaya
Vote for Darlene Anaya for Treasurer of UESF
Vote for Darlene Anaya for Labor Council Delegate
Darlene Anaya is a bilingual teacher at Newcomer High School. She has
taught at Newcomer for five years and taught at Mission for two years.
Since joining SFUSD,
Darlene has been an active unionist, serving on the UBC at Mission and
serving at
Newcomer as Building Representative for the past four years-creating a
strong UBC.
In the school, Darlene-along with the UBC-has fought for:
• Equity for all stakeholders: students and educators
• Establishing Regular Administrator-UBC collaboration per Article 25
• Minimum Days for completing MRD's, common to other high schools
• Served as strike coordinator and strike captain of Newcomer during
the tense contract negotiations in 2007
Within UESF, Darlene worked and served
• As a Member Service Specialist for three years where she worked
taking members' calls, providing informational and assistance on
members problems
• As an assistant to the VP-Substitutes in handling substitute needs
and assisting at substitute general meetings
• As a delegate to the San Francisco Labor Council where she served
for two years
• As a delegate to the California Federation of Teachers Convention
for three years where she fought to protect educator rights
Darlene has championed progressive causes. She also brings broad
experience and education to UESF. Her career includes 20 years as a CPS
social worker. She has an MBA degree in addition to her teaching
credential. In addition to her professional capacity of teacher and
social worker, Darlene has worked tirelessly for youth empowerment in a
volunteer capacity. Most notably she served as Parent coordinator of
the New Mexico branch of Amigos de las Americas, an international youth
leadership and public health organization.
VOTE FOR EDU
Elaine Merriweather
As Treasurer of United Educators of San Francisco my responsibility has
been to make certain that our union remains fiscally sound. I have
worked closely within the confine of our Leadership team to assure that
financial decisions best support our membership. As an activist member
of The Progressive Leadership Caucus, we have used our expertise and
energies, to achieve some remarkable goals, i.e., successfully
negotiated for the Rainy Day funds for teachers, vigorously campaigned
for Proposition A and the Implementation of phase one of the Child
Development Staffing Pilot Program.
This past year circumstances surrounding the Educational Budget have
given us some valuable experiences in regard to the importance of
organizing and collaborating with community, state and national
organizations. We have strengthen our union's position on varies
issues; with your continual support our efforts will not stop here. You
can make a difference for future Teachers and Paraprofessionals by
voting for Elaine Merriweather. Your vote is appreciated and I will
continue to diligently work for you.
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS (1)
Roberto Michel
PROVEN PARAPROFESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE LEADER ADVOCATING FAR ALL UESF
MEMBERS, SUPPORTING LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL, EDUCATION FRIENDLY
CANDIDATES. TAUGH ECONOMIC TIMES CALL FOR EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP.VOTE
FOR THE PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT UESF, PROP A, RAINY DAY FUND AND BUILT UP
PARA RETIREMENT. PLEASE VOTE FOR THE PLACK/KELLY TICKET VOTE PLC
THANKS!
Karen Zapata
Educators for a Democratic Union (EDU) will bring vision and a spirited
fight for workers rights and social justice. Vote for our whole EDU
slate! Vote for Adrienne Johnstone and Tom Edminster!
Certificated Representatives
AT-LARGE (4)
Luisa E. Ezquerro
EXPERIENCED TEACHER AND UNION ACTIVIST. THE UNION IS THE COLLECTIVE
LEADERSHIP AND POLITICAL VOICE TO ASSURE THAT WE HAVE THE PERSONNEL,
CLASSROOMS AND MATERIALS NEEDED FOR TEACHERS AND PARAPROFESSIONALS TO
BE EVEN MORE EFFECTIVE WITH OUR STUDENTS. VOTE FOR THE PROGRESSIVE
LEADERSHIP CAUCUS CANDIDATES. VOTE FOR LUISA E. EZQUERRO
Jeremiah Jeffries
VOTE Jeremiah Jeffries, At-Large Representative
VOTE EDU! Visit http://www.educatorssf.com
'Equity is about creating and empowering systems to compensate for the
variety of needs a student or educator may have so they can be
successful. Equity is about giving people what they need to be
successful and enabling them to act out that success.'
Jeremiah Jeffries is an educator/organizer working to protect the
rights of all educators and public school children. He has served on
the UBC and school site councils since Fall 2000.
He currently serves on the Faircare/SFUSD Discipline Taskforce, looking
to give greater support to educators around discipline including
professional development for administrators and faculty.
Jeremiah also served on the Prop H committee and has worked to bring
more credentialed librarians, counselors, and a learning support team
(including mental health, nurse) or wellness center to every school.
'I believe that schools should be fully resourced to deal with the
diversity and intensity student bring to school. The teachers and
paraprofessionals should not have to bear that responsibility alone.
Jeremiah is a coordinator of Teachers 4 Social Justice
(http://www.t4sj.org ), a grassroots nonprofit providing support,
training and resources for teachers/paraprofessionals and
community-based educators.
He's taught primary grades for 12+ years. He has worked as a
preschool/child development paraprofessional and teacher, while working
nights and weekends in a residential program for SED (Severely
Emotionally Disturbed) children. Joining SFUSD in 1998, teaching 1st
Grade and 6th Grade Math. He taught six years at Ben Franklin MS, John
Swett ES until it's closure in 2006 and at Sherman ES for two years
before moving to Redding ES where he currently teaches 1st grade.
Vote Jeremiah Jeffries At-Large Representative for UESF Executive Board.
For more info about EDU visit: http://www.educatorssf.com
Join the movement to make our union stronger and relevant to you!
Andy Libson
I have been a science teacher for 8 years at Mission HS. I have also
been active in our UBC and been the Building Representative for the
last 5 years. In that time, we have built an active union presence at
Mission. We have done much to overcome members sense of disconnect of
their union by keeping them informed about critical issues faced by our
union and by taking an active stand on issues at our site (both
contractual and non-contractual). We have actively worked to support
our classified staff and overcome the divisions that often exist
between certificated and classified. We have also actively worked to
take up issues of racism faced by our large immigrant population and
supporting PD that emphasizes an anti-racist orientation.
I am part of Educators for A Democratic Union (EDU -
www.educatorssf.com) because I believe we need a union which is much
more oriented on building strong sites at all levels (HS, MS, Elem. And
CDC). We need a union leadership that puts educating and informing its
membership at the center of its operation. We need a union that is
interested in informing its membership with the aim of facilitating a
more active and aggressive rank-and-file union. That is what will be
needed to fight the budget cuts, to fight for progressive taxation that
will make fully funded public education a reality. We need a union
that defends all its members and does not allow teachers, substitutes
and paraprofessionals to be divided. We need a union that stands for
stopping the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, defending immigrants and
supporting our LGBT brothers and sisters. Social justice is the
foundation of public education. If you agree with this. VOTE EDU.
Vote for
Adrienne and Tom.
Richard Moore
I am pleased to be nominated as an At-Large candidate for the Union
Executive Board. I am a chemistry and biotechnology teacher at John
O'Connell High School. I am interested in participating because I think
everybody should agree to serve the organization that best represents
the teachers of San Francisco Unified- our Union!
My "issues" are equity, access, and participation. Hopefully through
my participation I can increase support of all teachers student groups
in their struggle to meet their professional and educational goals- but
I don't support JROTC- lets promote a service option alternative!
Secondly, improving access to information and the decision-making
process for all teachers and paraprofessionals through continued email,
snail-mail, and school site visits . Finally, through my work on the
Executive Board I would try to foster teacher and paraprofessional
participation in UESF activities and the continued voice and presence
of UESF in the San Francisco social, artistic, political and labor
communities.
Gale Ow
I am a para rep, on the Exec. Bd, an AFT/CFT civil and women's rights
committee member. I've been a long time Asian community activist, a
substitute (3 yrs) and a bilingual teacher (10 yrs) Let's work together
to stop the budget cuts. Vote for me and the PLC ticket.
Derrlyn Tom
VOTE FOR CHANGE! VOTE EDU! Educators for a Democratic Union will work
with you to strengthen ALL worksites and UBCs. EDU will fight for
social justice for ALL educators, families, and students. EDU will
defend public education, demand adequate funding for ALL public sectors
through progressive taxation. PLEASE VOTE EDU!
Ken Tray
Six years ago union activists asked Dennis Kelly and Linda Plack to run
for UESF leadership. Last year's historic Proposition A victory and the
ongoing successful fight to prevent hundred's of layoffs are testaments
to the achievements of the Kelly/Plack team. If reelected to UESF
Executive Board and San Francisco Labor Council I will work alongside
them in the continuing fight to improve working conditions, benefits
and salaries that San Francisco educators so richly deserve.
Twenty-three years ago I wrote on chalk boards at Balboa High. It was
there that I first appreciated schoolhouse unionism as we fought to
improve working conditions at a site struggling under the weight of
poverty, alienated students and an ineffectual administration.
Over the last two decades I stood and delivered, alongside UESF
activists, at Balboa High, Mark Twain Continuation High, Linking San
Francisco and Lowell High. I now serve as UESF Political Director, on
the UESF Executive Board and as UESF Building Rep. for Lowell High.
Six years ago I became UESF/COPE Political Chair. UESF power in San
Francisco politics is now a critical component in the struggle to bring
more classroom resources to our schools and improved compensation for
those of us who educate the children of San Francisco.
UESF/COPE Achievements
• Proposition A victory: Ensuring pay increases for next 20 years
• Won 10 of 12 school board seats
• Expanded UESF/COPE Contributions building a winning political "war
chest"
• Helped defeat the Governors' anti-educator and anti-union initiatives
• Built pro-educator political alliances with San Francisco community
groups
• Worked with San Francisco Labor Council to revitalize labors'
political strength
• Built strong working relationships with City Hall and San
Francisco's team of state legislators
Vote for Progressive Leadership Candidates. Vote for Ken Tray.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT (1)
Betty Robinson-Harris
I am running to continue the work that this leadership has started, to
develop a permanent cohesive staffing structure with a livable wage. To
simplify the CDP staffing with the rest of the working world. To insure
that this integral program maintains equity in our union and city and
county.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (5)
Kit Bell
Para, CDC & Elementary teacher. My union work: UBC Rep, Labor Council,
Executive Board; Academic Freedom, Social, C.O.P.E., Elementary
Committees; Prop A activist & phone banker. I trust the Kelly/Plack
leadership to guide us through the hard times ahead, supporting the
interests of all the membership. Vote PLC!
Darcie Chan Blackburn
Darcie Chan Blackburn, Bryant ES If re-elected as an E-board member, I
will continue working with the Kelly/Plack leadership and the PLC to
strengthen UESF during these difficult times. I am currently a Co-chair
for the Elementary Committee, an alternate on the Bargaining Team, a
PAR panel member, and the Building Representative for my school.
Rose Karlsberg Curreri
I have worked in SFUSD schools from a Sensory Motor Skills consultant
to parent volunteer, to bilingual para-professional through the Para
Career Program to elementary classroom teacher, to Reading
Recovery/Descubriendo la lectura/Early Literacy intervention, HM and
ELD teacher in various guises, from pull-out to push-in, as well as
mentor and coach to many teachers. I also have been Union Rep for my
last two schools.
Because of my own children's climb through SFUSD and my specialty,
teaching reading, I have been in many different schools over the years.
My experience has taught me to respect and support teachers and paras
in all ways I know how. Students need the best guidance possible as
provided by happy teachers. I intend to work my hardest to attain
well-being for SFUSD teachers, bringing in new ideas, different
perspectives on issues new and old, discussing openly about challenging
the status quo and voting my conscience on the best possible solutions
to those issues.
I am willing to work hard to help you confront issues large and small
with understanding, openness and with the knowledge that I am
representing one of the most underrated and underrepresented
professions in the world. I hope that you will put your faith in me to
help make the decisions that you would make, with the same spirit of
participation and collaboration you demonstrate at your sites. That
spirit is crucial especially for furthering the right of all children
to access excellent public schools taught by satisfied teachers who are
respected in their profession, well compensated so that they can live
decently in the city in which they work and allowed to reach the
maximum of their profession by the best administration we can work
together to obtain.
Magdalena De Guzman
EDUCATORS FOR A DEMOCRATIC UNION – progressive and transparent – fights
to protect all educational gains for our communities, schools, families
and children amid our nation, state and local economic uncertainty. In
addition, fights to oppose budget cuts that compromise our children,
teachers, colleagues, and parents' access to resources. Equity for all!
Earl Lene De Santiago
A PLC member; presently serving: UESF Executive Board Budget and
Personnel Committees, CTA Steering Committee, Building Representative;
supportive of the Kelly/Plack leadership; former Area 4 Representative;
am experienced and will continue to be committed, and an active voice
for you.
Jeffrey Franey
As a Proposition A. Substitute I will be able to be present at multiple
school sites, enabling me to get a first hand view of the needs that
reside within the district. Working at individual school sites will
allow me to see specific issues that our district faces. I also
Julia Fung
As a K-8 representative, I will be an active advocate for teachers,
paras, and substitutes.
Cynthia Lasden
VOTE EDU!!!
I have been elected two times to serve as an Elementary Teacher
Representative on the UESF Executive Board (2003 – 2007). Please
consider voting for me for a third term.
After having a baby and taking a sabbatical, I am now excited to rejoin
our union leadership with Educators for a Democratic Union/EDU who will
work to make our Union a more democratic place for ALL educator
members!
During my previous years on the Executive Board, I was a very active
representative. I regularly attended both Union Executive Board and AND
Assembly meetings, as well as Board of Education meetings to speak out
regularly to fight for better work conditions. I have also led a very
active UBC at my site for 13 years.
I am also...
…a former delegate to the San Francisco Labor Council
…an active UBC Building Rep, with an active UBC at Fairmount ES
…a former paraprofessional
....a former substitute teacher
…a National Board Certified Teacher
...a Spanish Bilingual Teacher
…a teacher activist, new teacher coach and school leader
...a proud member of the Educators for a Democratic Union -- EDU!
VOTE EDU!!!
Please email me with any questions or comments at
sin_thee_yah@yahoo.com.
Carmen D. Melendez-Lugo
My name is Carmen D. Meléndez and I teach bilingual 3rd grade. Public
education has changed a lot since 2000, my first year teaching. I have
experienced these changes here, then as a teacher in Central Florida,
where I lived from 2002 to 2008. I have witnessed what awaits if we
continue down the road of irresponsible fiscal and pedagogical policy,
and it is not pretty.
Central Florida school districts choose to toe the line of the NCLB
Act very closely, because of their utter dependence of federal funding
since FL has no state income tax, and because they can't protect their
share of local taxes. As a result, students are tested to death,
teachers are demoralized by repressive policies and unions are too weak
to defend anyone. Public education in FL is inadequate for most
students since the emphasis on standardization and cookie-cutter
testing has forced teachers to teach "the" curriculum to every student
regardless of their different needs. I have taught under conditions
that rob teachers of initiative, leadership and creativity. I have come
back to CA only to see the same process of destruction of public
education well under progress.
I see our union largely complicit with these changes, not fighting
vigorously for the future of our profession. I want a union that stands
up to this privatization and standardization of the most valuable
resource of a democratic society: its free and equal educational
system. I want a union that protects everyone involved, from students
to all the educators who work with them. A union that works closely
with parents, alerting them and helping mobilize their latent power. A
union that respects and supports the initiative and the voice of the
different communities. That's why I joined EDU and I hope you do so
too. Vote EDU!
MIDDLE SCHOOL (3)
Larry P. Blake
Re-elect Larry Blake as Middle School Teacher Representative to
E-Board. Union Member since 1986, UBC member most years, GLUE Chair
Early 1990's, Bargaining team with PLC. Worked Phones, walked to help
pass Prop. A. Unrepentive fighter to enhance salary, benefits of ALL SF
Educators, despite unending budget cuts. Defender of
Patty Golumb
I would like to represent and serve our students paraprofessionals, and
teachers in San Francisco, to work for financial security for schools
and teachers and to work to make our schools the education rich
environments they should be. I am running with the Kelly/Plack slate.
Vote PLC.
Mark Murray
Please re-elect me to the Executive Board! Twenty year Middle School
veteran with twenty of those as a union activist. Proud member of the
PLC team that passed Prop. A and got us the rainy day funds.
Experienced representative at state and national levels. Whatever your
decision – VOTE!
David Russitano
David Russitano has been a math teacher in San Francisco for 3 years.
His first school was Gloria R Davis which was closed by the district in
2007. Since, he has been working as a 6th grade teacher at Paul Revere
and is currently the Building Rep there.
His main reason for running is to bring an activist outlook to the
union movement. Our union can be a strong voice for justice in our
schools and in our community if we do our work right. He has been an
activist for 10 years. He has been involved in many struggles,
including, but not limited to:
+ World Trade Organization Demonstration in Seattle 1999
+ IMF/WB Demonstration in Washington DC 2000
+ The United Students Against Sweatshops at SFSU
+ Students Against War at SFSU (during Afghanistan and Iraq)
+ The Campaign to End the Death Penalty
+ May Day: 2006- present
+ Break the Siege on Lebanon in 2006
+ Raising funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina
+ The Nader campaigns of 2000 and 2004
We need to put people before profits!
Vote EDU!
http://www.educatorssf.com
HIGH SCHOOL (4)
Kathleen Cecil
I have been an English teacher at Mission High School for the past ten
years. Previously I subbed for SFUSD, taught for seven years outside of
the district and was an active parent in SFUSD at all grade levels. I
have been active as a UBC and SSC member at my site and am also on the
executive board of CATE (California Association of Teachers of English)
as the Resolutions Chair. As Resolutions Chair I am part of a network
on education policy both in California and nationally.
Safe working conditions and a living wage came from workers who joined
together for collective strength and formed unions. But a union is only
as strong as the participation of its members. At a time when many
workers face layoffs, fewer hours and cuts in benefits, union workers
should be pushing a vision of what
makes a healthy society and a sustainable future for all. Teachers
hold the line for their students, trying to do more with less, trying
to mitigate in some cases the losses their students face. The loss of
housing, healthcare and jobs makes the work of educators harder. In
hard times the vision must be clear, and union members need to be
practiced in exercising their voices and taking action.
I am part of Educators for A Democratic Union
(http://www.educatorssf.com) because I believe we need a union that
encourages a broad ranging discussion of the issues facing education.
We need a union that supports all its members and works actively at the
site level to keep members informed and active. It is the members who
should drive policy, speaking from their experience in the trenches of
education. Social justice is the foundation of public education. If you
agree with this. VOTE EDU. Vote for Adrienne and Tom.
Stan DeBella
Please re-elect me to the Executive Board. I will continue to stand for
better compensation and dignity for all educators. Please vote PLC: the
folks who brought home Prop A and saved the Rainy Fund. A dedicated
UESF member I serve as Grievance Committee Chair and Galileo Building
Rep.
Kathy Melvin
Please elect me to the Executive Board. I serve as co-building
representative For Lowell and High School Committee Chair. I will
continue to work For a strong educators voice and a strong union. Vote
PLC, the guys that brought you prop A. Together we can make SF schools
better!
Claire Merced
26 years teaching adolescents. 20 years of dedicated involvement in
UESF. Proudly served the UESF Bargaining team since 1991. Currently,
member of SF Labor Council and board member of the NEA. I firmly
advocate for respectful and professional salaries, professional rights,
academic freedom, and adequate funding for schools. (PLC)
Lawrence Orloff
Problems: a $1 trillion war budget, loss of jobs, wages, homes, health
care, over 2,000,000 prisoners, high unemployment rates for black and
latin workers leading to a near genocidal minority murder rate. (70% of
Oakland murderers and victims were unemployed.) which all negatively
affect the learning and health of children.
James E. Pierce II
My name is James Pierce and I am running for High School Executive
Board position with the Kelly/Plack PLC team. I worked as an elementary
school paraprofessional and now teach special education and serve as
Building Rep. at Ida B. Wells Continuation High. PLC = Prop A/Rainy Day
Funds.
Heidi Scott
As a retired high school librarian and teacher for 29 years, I stand
for positive change and for the empowerment of all members. We must
fight for equitable treatment for all and advocate for students,
families, and workers. Educators for a Democratic Union will provide
the leadership we need.
Giulio Salvador Sorro
I am a native San Franciscan and a product of the SFUSD with a long
ties to communities and struggles through out this city. As a HS. Rep I
will fight for sustainability and Justice at our schools For all
workers. We are the ones we have been waiting for. Vote EDU!
SPECIAL EDUCATION (1)
James Galgano
1. 1983-1984: Secretary-Treasurer Arizona State University AFT LOCAL
2050
2. 1984-1988: President Arizona State University AFT LOCAL 2050
3. 1999 - PRESENT: SPECIAL DAY CLASS TEACHER, DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING
JR ACADEMIC MIDDLE SCHOOL
4. 2001- Present: BUILDING REPRESENTATIVE, DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR
ACADEMIC MIDDLE SCHOOL
" TEH VOICE OF EACH UNION MEMBER MUST BE HEARD AND REPRESENTED AT
EACH UNION METING AND WITHIN OUR CONTRACT LANGUAGE. I WILL CONTINUE TO
PROMOTE IMPROVING OUR CONTRACT LANGUAGE TO PROTECT OUR MEMBERS' RIGHTS
AND WORKING CONDITIONS."
*TOO MANY OF OUR SPECIAL AND GENERAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS ARE WITHOUT
THE PARAPROFESSIONAL SUPPORT THAT IS NEEDED TO PROMOTE STUDENT
ENGAGEMENT AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.
*SFUSD MANAGEMENT IS PUSHING REDUCTION OF ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND
SUPPORTS FOR OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENT POPULATION DESPITE THE FACT
IT IS KNOWN THESE SERVICES AND SUPPORTS ARE STILL NEEDED FOR THESE
STUDENTS WHETHER IN SDC OR GENERAL EDUCATION CLASSES.
*SPECIAL EDUCATION MANAGEMENT IS ATTEMPTING TO TURN SDC CLASSROOMS INTO
PSEUDO GENERAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS IN VIOLATION OF STUDENTS NEEDS,
ABILITIES, LEARNING STYLES AND IEP REQUIREMENTS
*TOO MANY SPECIAL AND GENERAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS ARE
BEING GIVEN ADDITIONAL SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS WITHOUT SUFFICIENT
NOTICE, TEACHER CONSENT NOR PROVIDING THE SUPPORT REQUIRED TO PROMOTE A
SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION.
ALL OF THESE QUESTIONABLE PRACTICES SEVERELY IMPACTS
IF YOU WANT YOUR RIGHTS AND ACADEMIC FREEDOMS PROTECTED FROM SFUSD
MANAGERIAL EXCESSES AND QUESTIONABLE SPECIAL EDUCATION
DIRECTIVES REDUCING NEEDED SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR OUR STUDENTS.
VOTE FOR JAMES A. GALGANO FOR CERTIFICATED SPECIAL EDUCATION REP.
Patricia Mann
Please vote for me, Patty Mann, for Executive Board, Special Education.
I am an active member of the Special Education Committee and Community
Advisory Committee for Special Education. I advocate for special
education interests and school psychologists. I am a member of the PLC
and support the Kelly/Plack team.
BILINGUAL (1)
Lisa Gutierrez Guzman
Real change takes strong leadership. As an individual running as your
bilingual representative and as a member of Educators for a Democratic
Union, I will work on the Executive Board to actively build our union
as a viable fighting force at our sites and throughout the District.
UESF must serve and represent all of our members (certificated and
classified)--and NOT LEAVE ANYONE OUT!
Effective leaders organize actions in our communities and when
appropriate, at our schools against any injustices that may divide us
by racism, language differences, socioeconomic and/or legal status,
ethnicity or gender. Specifically, we should unite with our students,
their parents and the entire community against local and state budget
cuts and layoffs, school closures and immigration raids.
I have been a bilingual parent and educator at bilingual and immersion
schools since 1984 (Junipero Serra, Buena Vista and Leonard R. Flynn
Elementary Schools). I was the Bilingual Representative for four years
and in that capacity became an active member and chair of the Bilingual
Community Council, the legally mandated body by the Lau v. Nichols
lawsuit that ensures that the needs of our English Language Learners
are being met. I have been the Human Rights Contact for the CTA Golden
Gate Service Center Council and a member of the Hispanic, Asian/Pacific
Islander and Peace and Justice caucuses and committees in UESF,
California Federation of Teachers, California Teachers Association
and/or the National Education Association.
I am a dedicated teacher, an organizer and a leader for equity for our
students and their parents and for the rights of us as educational
workers. VOTE FOR ME AS YOUR BILINGUAL REPRESENTATIVE AND FOR THE
ENTIRE EDU SLATE. Let's work collectively to make the changes needed to
improve education in San Francisco.
Helen Karoukian
As an active U.B.C. member and a longtime U.E.S.F. member, I am excited
to have an opportunity to work side-by-side with Dennis Kelly, Linda
Plack, and all the brothers and sisters of the Progressive Leadership
Caucus. We will continue to work for improved working conditions for
educators in San Francisco.
COUNSELORS (1)
Jay Kozak
I am running for the Executive Board's counselor seat. Please vote for
me and the PLC team. I serve as Washington High's Building Rep, on the
UESF Student Support Services Committee, worked hard for Prop A, and
will continue the fight for just pay, benefits and dignity for all
educators.
SUPPORT SERVICES (1)
Sarah Brant
Throughout my career, I have promoted youth development and connected
community services to schools. I began providing peer support services
in the schools while still an SFUSD high school student myself. Since
that time, I went on to teach Pre-K/Kindergarten in Maine, elementary
school in Sri Lanka, and worked throughout the San Jose Unified School
district through as a youth educator and support service coordinator.
My background in non-profit work has also included employment with Bay
Area Legal Aid Society and a local domestic violence agency. Throughout
my career, I have worked with a
variety of support services to support the education and empowerment
of our youth's needs and character development. I returned to San
Francisco in the Spring of 2000 to teach Peer Resource at Lowell High
School for four years before taking my current position as Balboa High
School's Peer Resource Coordinator/Teacher. With a credential in
Health, I have taught Peer Helping and College and Career courses in
addition to coordinating such support services as lunchtime and after
school programming for youth and their families in SFUSD. An active
member of Teachers for Social Justice, I have been focused on
promoting social justice for all who are impacted by our schooling
system - from youth to parents/guardians, from educators to community
members. We need leadership that encourages an informed, included
membership. We must prioritize fair treatment and benefits for all
educators, be they paraprofessionals, substitutes, CDP, or full-time
classroom teachers. We must fight for progressive taxation for
education and social justice for our communities. That is why I
joined the EDU. That is why I am running for Executive Board to
represent Support Services. I hope you will vote EDU, too.
Susan Kitchell
PLC, UESF Executive Board, UESF Bargaining Team. Helping to lead the
Union in the 21st century! Articulating the needs of the worker, not
the employer. It's about "we," not about "me." Proud to work with the
strong leadership of Dennis Kelly and Linda Plack. Keep the victories
coming!
SUBSTITUTES (2)
Marilyn Cornwell
Hi, I've been a substitute teacher since 1992 for all grades, pre-K
thru 12. I have had the opportunity to see the public schools at their
worst and also at their best. I'd like to see substitutes, teachers,
and administrators working together to create a better atmosphere for
students when
Robert Heller
I am a substitute teacher and have been working for the district in all
it's divisions (CDC, Elementary, Middle and high school) for nine
years. I am originally from France and as you know we have a strong
labor movement so I will represent you well. Vote for me.
Daniel Markarian
I'm proud to run for the Executive Board-substitutes, with the
Progressive Leadership Caucus-supporting the Kelly – Plack team. We
must work together and stand united to oppose layoffs, budget cuts, and
class size reduction. Please let me continue to serve you. Thank you.
James Sheldon
For the past fifteen years, I have been involved in social justice
activism. My first involvement in teachers' struggles was with AFT,
when the lecturers at UC Santa Cruz were fighting for a contract after
working without one for several years. As a board member of Student CTA
for two years, I fought for the rights of student teachers and served
on The CTA State Council. I also was actively involved with the GLBT
caucus and Peace and Justice Caucus. During this time, I worked in the
UESF office as a student intern, focusing on the (successful) contract
campaign. I was hired shortly thereafter as a substitute
paraprofessional and then this year as a substitute teacher.
In my two years as an UESF member, I have served on the Assembly,
actively participated in the Substitute Division, served on the Peace,
Justice, and Human Rights committee, and attended most of the Executive
Board meetings. Concurrently, I have been working on my Masters in
Equity and Social Justice in Education at San Francisco State.
I am pleased to be running with the Progressive Leadership Caucus in
order to fight for better conditions for substitute teachers and
paraprofessionals and to fight for sustainable and equitable solutions
to local, state, and federal budget crises.
If you have any questions or thoughts, I can be reached through email
at jsheldon@sfsu.edu or by telephone at 408 314 8574.
Ron Trapp
I have been a substitute teacher in San Francisco Unified for twelve
years.For five years I was the site substitute at Horace Mann Middle
School where I was an active member in the U.B.C.
I understand the concerns of all teachers, but of course, my chief
perspective is from that of the substitute. I would like to represent
substitutes in the assembly. I will work with the EDU slate to seek
quality education for our students and a workplace where equality
protects us all. I will work to gain health coverage and equitable pay
increases for substitutes.
Classified Representatives
INSTRUCTIONAL AIDES - SERIES A (3)
Salvador Aguilera
Employee of SFUSD since 1984. Paraprofessional since 1988. I will stand
for the rights of the paraprofessionals and all other workers. We ALL
work hard, We All have rights, We are All in this together. Defend &
advance ALL educational workers; vote Educators for a Democratic
Union/EDU!
Janet Eberhardt
Strong voice for all paras and teachers. Union Activist, firm with
principles and dignity. I will continue to be steadfast for equity and
fair treatment for all members. Experienced Voice. 10 yrs Bargaining
team, Active on the local, State and National level. Let me continue to
represent you on the
Tom Henriksen
As a member of the UBC at Thurgood Marshall as well as the Marshall
representative to the High School Committee, I will continue to
advocate for union members through consensus and constructive
leadership. Support Kelly Plack. Vote PLC.
SPECIAL EDUCATION - SERIES N, S (2)
Diane Johnson
Years in SFUSD – 26 yrs. Total yrs. of Ed. Wk. – 26 yrs school site:
Lowell H.S. parent, liaison for African-American Families @ S.F.
Community School – 2 yrs. I would continue being an Advocate for all
Para Educators. Seeking equality on all issues concerning us!
Cathy O'Byrne Shewchuck
Under the leadership of Kelly, Plack, and the PLC, as a UESF Special
Education Paraprofessional Representative, I will work hard for all
UESF members. I will work hard for better pay and working conditions,
and greater respect for all. I'm a PLC and Special Education Committee
members and volunteer phonebanker.
Anthony B. Singleton
I am a paraprofessional at Burton High School. It is my goal to see
that all paraprofessionals become eligible for 7 hours, more
professional development hours, and better pay and benefits. Proud to
run with Kelly and Plack. Vote Progressive Leadership Caucus (PLC).
SUPPORT SERVICES - SERIES P (1)
Teanna Tillery
To ensure that there is no child left behind, we must fight so that no
SFUSD employees are left behind. As co-chair of Rosa Parks UBC and a
member of PLC, I will voce the needs of UESF especially the
paraprofessionals. With your support, we will not leave anyone behind!
COMMUNITY RELATIONS - SERIES R (1)
Annette Hughes
No statement submitted.
Mary Lavalais
No statement submitted.
SECURITY AIDES - SERIES T (1)
A.J. Frazier
I am proud to run for Executive Board with Kelly, Plack and the PLC.
During my 18 year security aide tenure, in good times and bad, I have
supported my co-workers. Now, more than ever, we must improve the para
pensions and improve benefits and working conditions for all.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT - SERIES C (2)
Rachelle Glaze
No statement submitted.
Aracelly Martinez
Para since 1971. PLC Retired but still working to get recognition,
respect and the best possible benefits for all the Union members. Proud
to be part of the group that obtained the membership to be represented
by this Union. Member of the first Council that negotiated our first
contract.
Karen M. Quinn
As a Child Development Program paraprofessional representative, I will
work with Dennis Kelly, Linda Plack and the Progressive Leadership
Caucus. We will keep on moving forward with improvements that the UESF
leadership has instituted with the CDP Pilot Program, better
paraprofessional retirement benefits, and a stronger contract for all
members.
LABOR COUNCIL DELEGATES (13)
Darlene M. Anaya
See statement above (Executive Officer - Treasurer)
Judith Christensen
Judith Christensen understands "solidarity" and how we all have better
working conditions and higher wages when we support fellow union
members in their struggle. In the photo, Judith is on the picket line
with healthcare workers in Daly City. She rallied her neighborhood to
support Local 2 and the Building Trades Council to fight against a
non-union hotel being built next to the Daly City Bart Station.
Judith grew up in a union household in the Pacific Northwest and was on
her first picket line at age four on the shoulders of her father, a
crane operator in a lumber mill. She joined her first union the Retail
Clerks at age 18 and spent much of her first summer on the job walking
the line to raise clerk's wages from $1.25 per hour.
Judith is a retired teacher who began her career as a paraprofessional
in Regular and Special Ed Elementary classrooms. She taught grades 1
through 3 in Elementary School for 12 years. She has taught Special
Education, Physics, Earth Science, Art, and Literature during her 14
years teaching High School. She taught Science in Middle School. Judith
taught Science to teachers and credential candidates at the
Exploratorium and SF State University. This broad experience gives
Judith an understanding of our needs that few other individuals
possess.
Judith Christensen thanks and supports our current union leadership of
Kelly, Plack, Conley, Samoa, Solomon, Merriweather, and Michel for
their leadership passing Prop A. She encourages you to vote for the
entire Progressive Leadership Caucus (PLC) slate to continue increasing
our wages, improving our working conditions, and promoting best
practices and the highest degree of professionalism throughout our
district.
Please vote JUDITH CHRISTENSEN for LABOR COUNCIL
Pat Craword
Please vote for me and the entire PLC slate. As your Labor Council
delegate, I'll work to ensure that the respect and influence that the
Kelly/Plack team has developed for UESF within the labor movement
continues. I will represent the interests of educators and fellow
workers.
In these difficult economic times, educators need experienced,
respected leadership to further our cause. That's the reason I'm
running on the PLC slate.
I have seen the respect that Dennis Kelly and Linda Plack have in the
San Francisco community. Their political understanding and involvement
at all levels enabled them to successfully negotiate a Prop A campaign
that resulted in increased salaries and respect for educators. They
negotiated release of the Rainy Day Funds, and so much more.
Vote the PLC slate led by the Kelly/Plack team. We'll represent your
interests.
Magdalena De Guzman
See statement above (Certificated - Elementary School)
Earl Lene De Santiago
See statement above (Certificated - Elementary School)
Tom Edminister
See statement above (Executive Officer - Executive Vice-President)
Jeffrey Franey
See statement above (Certificated - Elementary School)
James Galgano
See statement above (Certificated - Special Education)
Tom Harriman
My Dear Fellow SF Labor Council members. I am seeking a second term as
a member and am asking to be reelected for the reasons. In the past few
years I have:
In 2005 I worked against the Governor's Special Election measures.
Have been a member of Lowell High Schools Union Building Committee,
focusing on special education.
I am a member of United Educators Executive Committee, focusing on
issues related to Special Education and Paraprofessionals.
I am a member of the Progressive Leadership Caucus within United
Educators.
I volunteered on the Prop A campaign in the spring of 2008, thus
helping to address the turnover rate of new teachers in San Francisco.
I have advocated for, and gotten an agreement from, the management of
SFUSD that summer school employment letters should be sent out by mid
May. (This has been a big prob past.)
In the fall of 2008 I completed the CA Labor History course at CCSF.
I have attended several education conferences, further educating myself
about modern labor issues.
I have participated in numerous rallies and demonstrations in favor of
local and state education issues.
In my efforts to further educate myself I have read a variety of books,
articles, and essays about current and past labor struggles.
In conclusion, I would be grateful for another term as a member of the
San Francisco Labor council.
Sincerely Yours
Tom Harriman.
Robert Heller
See statement above (Certificated - Substitutes)
Annette Hughes
No statement submitted.
Jeremiah Jeffries
See statement above (Certificated - At-Large)
Adrienne Johnstone
See statement above (Executive Officer - President)
Hene Kelly
Re-Elect the Kelly-Plack team. (PLC) UESF's demonstrations and protests
ended reconstitution. Our political power elected a friendly Board of
Education and passed important propositions. The democracy in our union
grew with more Union Building Committees and greater attendance at
union meetings. Let's continue to make progress on all fronts together.
Dennis Kelly
An elder of the local took us aside before we were installed as
delegates to the San Francisco Labor Council and warned us the language
might be rough, the etiquette might be lacking, and some people we'd
deal with in Labor Council meetings might not interact at the same
level as people in our professional circles.
Even though we were members of the house of labor, there was the
concern that labor was somehow beneath us.
Our former president (and UESF's first president), Joan-Marie Shelley,
was also to be sworn in that same night in 1971. She set the record
straight for herself, me, and our delegation:
"My father could not be prouder of me if I were elected President of
the United States," she told us.
Joan-Marie's father was the former head of the Labor Council, SF
Supervisor, state Senator, Congressman for San Francisco, and former
Mayor, Jack Shelley. In fact, Jack Shelley swore us in that night.
And I have never been more proud to have attained any other office.
Over the years on the Labor Council, I have been a delegate, member and
then chair of the Law and Legislative Committee, parliamentarian, and
now a member of the Executive Committee.
I have been in the midst of principled debates on the most vital
issues of our days and I have been involved in demonstrations and
actions in support of our brothers and sisters throughout labor,
including being arrested with Local 2 of the Hotel workers.
The UESF delegation to the Labor Council takes our work seriously. We
sit in the front and speak on the issues. Through our participation we
have married labor and education in a way that is not true in all other
cities.
Please re-elect me and the PLC candidates to the Labor Council.
Andy Libson
See statement above (Certificated - At-Large)
Claire Merced
See statement above (Certificated - High School)
Gale Ow
See statement above (Certificated - At-Large)
Linda Plack
Real educational reform requires additional state funding. I have
authored resolutions to end the 2/3 requirement for a state budget, for
new taxes and for an end to Proposition 13.
I have attended Board of Education meetings to advocate for members. I
have planned and marched in rallies in S.F., in L.A. and in Sacramento
in favor of UESF, CFT and CTA policies.
Formerly substitute, middle and high school teacher, academic
counselor and dean of students. I convene the Special Education
Committee and chair monthly meetings with the district. Teacher control
of curriculum and administrative support for appropriate student
classroom behavior are the way we can begin to address the achievement
gap.
Early childhood education and class size reduction in all primary
classes are essential elements toward that end
Under our leadership UBCs have received training and administrators
have attended mandatory contract orientations. Staffs now have the
opportunity to evaluate their administrators.
That is what the Kelly Plack team has done for all of it's members for
the last six years. And what it will continue to do in the future.
Carolyn Samoa
See statement above (Executive Officer Vice-President Paraprofessionals)
Susan Solomon
As a long-time delegate to the San Francisco Labor Council (SFLC), as
well as a participant in Labor Council events long before becoming a
delegate, I understand its importance and its role in the labor
movement in San Francisco. SFLC is where all San Francisco unions come
together to develop policy and positions regarding everything that
affects workers in the city and beyond. UESF, as one of the largest
unions in the SFLC, plays an influential role in deliberations and
decision-making at the twice-monthly labor Council meetings.
In representing UESF in the SFLC, we have three critical functions:
• To bring UESF's concerns to the other unions, in order to inform
them of what we are doing and how they can support us;
• To lend support to our sisters and brothers in other unions, by
being informed of their issues and showing up at their events when they
need us;
• To become educated about and participate in local, state and
national efforts to bring about single-payer health care, an end to the
war in Iraq, and the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, which
will greatly aid workers without unions in becoming unionized.
When you come to a UESF rally and hear SFLC officers speak, they are
there because of UESF's active role in the Labor Council. When you are
asked by UESF to sign petitions and postcards to our elected officials
in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., it is often because the SFLC is
leading a campaign. When the SFLC supports candidates we support, it is
because we go to the meetings and advocate on behalf of educators.
Please vote for the other Progressive Leadership Caucus members and me
as delegates to the SFLC so that we can continue the union-building
work that we do.
Ken Tray
See statement above - (Certificated - At-Large)
