Charlie Jones

Hayward Education Association
RUNNING FOR:
Pleasanton Unified School Board
CharlieForSchoolBoard.com

Why are you running for election?
Our district has lost its way and is no longer prioritizing the needs of students and staff, especially when it comes to their budget. We need an educator’s voice on the board to push back against the cuts to the classroom the district is trying to make.

What are your top priorities?
Our school district has been deficit spending for five years, which has led to harmful budget cuts and damaged the relationship between the district, parents and employees. I want to bring together all stakeholders to truly assess and understand our current budget and plan ahead. We also need to foster true collaboration with our labor partners, parents and the rest of the Pleasanton community. Lastly, while our schools are among the best in California, not everyone has an equitable learning experience. We haven’t fully expanded our Dual Language Program or Multilingual Learner program, meaning that immigrant and newcomer students aren’t able to participate or be a part of the school site to the same level as their peers.

Why is it important to have educators on school boards?
We see firsthand what is truly needed by our families to best support students. We know best what is missing from our students’ experiences and what can be done to better support all our school sites.

What does it mean to you to be part of the movement to protect and defend our public schools?
I am honored to be a part of the fight to defend public education. Our students deserve an education that supports them as a whole person. Being a part of this movement means we are fighting to uphold honest, factual and science-driven education for our students.

How important is the November election?
Your support will determine whether we have pro-education school boards or ones run by those who wish to turn the clock back. The best thing you can do is support your local unions, whether it’s door-knocking, phone banking or donating. You have the power to move us forward on the path to progress