Features

Editors, Daily Planet:  

For some time now we have been sadly disappointed in Berkeley School Board incumbents John Selawsky and Joaquin Rivera. They have lacked leadership on issues of urgent concern to the Latino and African American Communities as well as to a vast number of mainstream students who are disengaged from their education, particularly at Berkeley High.  

About two years ago, Latinos Unidos brought together a broad coalition of diverse parents and community leaders who share a deep frustration with the district. “United In Action” was formed and out of that partnership came an articulation of common priorities that unified us in the need to change the makeup of the School Board.  

On Nov. 2, we have an opportunity to elect two new school board members with experience and skills that directly match these priorities, Kalima Rose and Karen Hemphill. 

What are the priorities?:  

A strong and mobilizing vision of innovative and effective education. 

Full collaboration with all segments of the community. 

Excellence, equity & achievement for all students. 

Teachers, staff & School Board Directors that reflect the diversity of 

students.  

Financial expertise that will generate new resources. 

A board that clearly leads rather than follows the Superintendent. 

A board that brings a sense of urgency to all of the above. 

Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that many progressive and mainstream democratic leaders are endorsing, somewhat out of habit and prematurely, Selawsky and Rivera. They are endorsing them prior to a full consideration of the merits of the new candidates, an assessment of the incumbents’ real track record, and their responsiveness to the Latino & African American community. Some are endorsing Karen Hemphill, who is African American, and Joaquin Rivera under the noble and legitimate belief that the board needs Black and Brown representation.  

Many people in the community assume that Joaquin Rivera would be the choice of Latinos because of his Latin surname. As you can see by the signers of this letter, Rivera does not have the support of the Latino leaders who are directly involved with the community. We appreciate the community’s commitment to diversity on the board, however we urge you to look beyond the name and examine past performance, and the current state of the schools. Rivera has served for eight years. It has been over 40 years since anyone has even run for the school board for a third term, let alone served on the board for a third term. It is time to move on.  

Both Joaquin Rivera and John Selawsky, have let us down on many fronts—their lack of outreach and collaboration being one of them. Nor have they prioritized with any urgency the innovative and effective solutions that are needed to reshape the schools for the success of all students in Berkeley. 

Latinos Unidos is clear that this is not a personal issue. Selawsky and Rivera are both hard working and good people. We appreciate their dedication to the district, as we appreciate all those who make the sacrifice to serve, particularly during difficult times. This is not an easy decision for many of us who have and will continue to work with them on other endeavors. But it is time to move on and elect board members who will have a close connection with the full spectrum of diversity that makes up the BUSD. John and Joaquin have had their chance, and we will honor their service in ways that do not include re-election.  

Half of what they have done is good. However, we do not want 50 percent effective Board Directors in whom we have lost all confidence. We want 100 percent effective board members who are fully collaborative with all segments of the community, and who can move Berkeley to the forefront of much neglected educational change. Such effectiveness includes giving the Superintendent the enlightened direction from the community and School Board that she needs, a role that has been largely abdicated by the incumbents.  

Let us remind ourselves that this is Berkeley, and that we should always march to a higher standard. The fate of our children is at stake. Our patience is worn and our resolve is hardened, and it is time to move forward with fresh approaches and new leadership. We are convinced that Karen Hemphill and Kalima Rose are the best choice this time around. And we highly endorse their campaign and urge the community of Berkeley parents and voters to vote for them on Nov. 2. Please see their web sites for more detailed information as well as a list of upcoming school board candidate forums where you can meet them.  

Fr. George Crespin Santiago Casal 

Beatriz Leyva Cutler Fr. Rigoberto  

Caloca-Rivas 

Lupe Gallegos-Diaz Liz Fuentes 

Federico Chavez Angela Gallegos Castillo  

Carlos Muñoz  

Latinos Unidos is a forum largely for Latino professionals who represent various constituencies in Berkeley. Though it has concerns with health, housing and labor, the primary focus has been on education. Latinos Unidos includes representatives from Mentoring for Academic Success/Multicultural Institute; Berkeley Organizing for Congregational Action; Chicano/Latinos for Academic Success; St. Joseph the Worker Church; Vista Community College; Multicultural Academic Student Development—UC Berkeley; Bay Area Hispanic Institute for Advancement/Centro Vida; the Cesar Chavez Memorial Solar Calendar and Education Project, and an assort of individuals (teachers, city and school district workers, judicial, labor, etc.) ?