Board Member — Calistoga Joint Unified School District
Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the Board Member — Calistoga Joint Unified School District
Find out their top 3 priorities, their experience, and who supports them.
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My Top 3 Priorities
Improving communication among families, students, teachers, staff, administration and school board.
Encouraging greater parental participation in the schools.
Ensuring that the remaining bond funds are spent most effectively.
Experience
Education
UC-Davis — M.S., Viticulture & Enology (2003)
Oberlin College — B.A., Economics & Environmental Studies (1991)
Questions & Answers
Questions from League of Women Voters of California Education Fund (1)
A recent law made major changes in the way that the state allocates funding to schools. What will you do to ensure that the public understands your local control formula for school spending and your plan to measure outcomes?
Answer from Matthew Reid:
The first step will be to understand the changes myself! I agree that this is a very important issue and I will make sure that the changes are discussed at a School Board meeting. However, very few parents attend those meetings--something I hope to change--so I will also send letters to the editor of our two local papers explaining the basics of the changes (as space allows). I would also see whether a public meeting to discuss the changes would be appropriate, and whether it would get greater attendance than a regular school board meeting.
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My Top 3 Priorities
Higher the best Superintendent possible
Continue to reduce the achievement gap of our students
Continue to improve the learning environment of the campuses.
Experience
Experience
Profession:Electric Utility Principal Project Manager
Principal Project Manager, Pacific, Gas & Electric Company (1980–current)
School Board Trustee, Calistoga Joint Unified School District — Elected position (1998–current)
Education
St. Mary's of California — Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration (1996)
Biography
My wife Toni and I have lived in Calistoga for 31 years. Our two daughters went all through school in Calistoga, one graduating from Calistoga High School in 2008 and the other in 2010, completing undergraduate degrees from UCLA and UC Davis respectively. Over the years, I have been involved with local sports organizations, including Calistoga Little League, the Wildcat Athletic Boosters Club and Napa Youth Soccer League, both as a volunteer and a coach. I have worked as a volunteer on behalf of the Calistoga Education Foundation and in support of many of Calistoga’s service organizations. Professionally, I have worked for PG&E for 36 years, primarily based in Santa Rosa. Currently, I am the Principal Project Manager for the electrification of Caltrain and the California High Speed Rail Project.
Questions & Answers
Questions from League of Women Voters of California Education Fund (1)
A recent law made major changes in the way that the state allocates funding to schools. What will you do to ensure that the public understands your local control formula for school spending and your plan to measure outcomes?
Answer from Martin E. Hunt:
Calistoga is a Basic Aid district so does get funding in the traditional sense. The local property taxes provide the funding to Calistoga which in the last 10 years has exceeded what the State would provide. With that siad, it is the District Leadership's duty to make sure that there are reserves set aside incase the financial situation changes. The Board has set goals for the District administrators to budget the dollars we do get to the appropriate areas.
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My Top 3 Priorities
Improve the school district's relationships with teachers, parents, and community leaders by actively including them in decision-making.
Get the most out of the school district expenditure of taxpayer dollars and comply with legal obligations.
Hire a new superintendent who values a close working relationship with our small town community and who holds the education of our children in the highest regard..
Experience
Experience
Profession:Project Manager - Construction
Treasurer, Calistoga Elementary School PTA — Elected position (2016–current)
Secretary, Calistoga Little League — Elected position (2015–current)
Member, Citizens (School Bond) Oversight Commitee — Appointed position (2010–2012)
Member, Support Measure A School Bond Committee — Appointed position (2010–2010)
Education
UC Berkeley (Cal) — Bachelor of Science (1978)
Questions & Answers
Questions from League of Women Voters of California Education Fund (1)
A recent law made major changes in the way that the state allocates funding to schools. What will you do to ensure that the public understands your local control formula for school spending and your plan to measure outcomes?
Answer from Brian Fennen:
Our district currently lacks a coherent plan to communicate and explain the LCAP to the public, or to have them comment or participate in any meaningful manner. I would like to change that, but I also understand that the complicated template formulated by state LCFF regulations make this task difficult. I will do my best to assure that our district is in compliance with both the regulations and their intended outcomes, and that the public is allowed to comment and to participate in the decision-making process.
