Candidate for
Board Member; Hayward Unified School District

BACKGROUND WITH HAYWARD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (HUSD)

Five years ago, you elected me to the Hayward school board to take on the challenge of saving a school district that faced an $18 million budget shortfall and was "in serious financial and governance crises," as concluded by the State Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT). The lead investigator of that team stated that HUSD was "as dysfunctional a school district as [he] had ever seen."

Community leaders, parents and teachers asked me to run for the school board not only because of my business experience, but because I was instrumental in exposing much of the mismanagement and corruption that was occurring in HUSD. I turned over the results of my investigation to the county Grand Jury and to FCMAT, and I was the first person with the courage to publicly call for the resignation of the school superintendent. However, the School Board refused to act, so I organized and led a community group of parents, teachers and students in a six-month campaign that resulted in the replacement of the superintendent and ultimately the entire senior administration.

I have been instrumental in, and often the impetus for, much of the progress and successes that HUSD has accomplished in the last five years (listed elsewhere in this website). Now, like six years ago, I initially had no desire to run for school board, preferring to return to school-level volunteerism. However, like before, we are now facing an even worse budget crises caused by the state, and I have been convinced by others that my experience, skills, and strength are needed awhile longer. So I ask for your support--not for me, but for the kids.

OTHER VOLUNTEERISM

My wife and I have lived in Hayward over 40 years and have raised three children who graduated from HUSD. I was also an active leader in my church and in Boy Scouts for many years.

For over 20 years, my wife and I have been leaders and volunteers in PTAs, parent clubs and school booster groups. We have dedicated thousands of hours and raised tens of thousands of dollars for Hayward schools. I am a strong supporter of the arts, and have written several successful grant applications on behalf of school music programs.

My desire to serve others began early in life as taught by my parents. As a young man, I served as a missionary in Latin America for two years at my own expense, and I developed a great love and appreciation for Latino, Hispanic and Chicano cultures and language. The improvement of our educational services to all of our English language learner students (not just Spanish speaking students) has been a high priority for me.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

I am currently employed as a Litigation Manager of a Fortune 500 company. I was also on the Human Resources Strategic Planning Management Team, reporting directly to the General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Human Resources. As such, I have had extensive interaction with senior management and staff, and substantial knowledge of all aspects of retail management, e.g., Operations, Human Resources, Finance, etc. I have expertise in contract negotiation, formal and informal dispute resolution, budgeting, business and employment law, and human resources issues.

I also have prior management experience in business operations side of another nationwide retailer.

I was was also a Senior Paralegal and Paralegal Manager for a major law firm, representing and advising Human Resources and Operational management of many large and small business clients in a variety of matters, including litigation, policy and procedure development, union and contract issues.

I have been an active member of several unions, including Retail Clerks International, Clerks and Lumber Handlers, Teamsters, and a Police Officers Association. I was a steward and elected representative on my union negotiating team.

Thus, I have negotiated business and labor agreements from both sides of the table, and have an honest, balanced, and professional approach. I offer a great deal of business experience and real-world common sense that is critically needed in the HUSD governance team at this time of budget crises.

We are currently facing a projected $17 million budget deficit in HUSD over the next two years, requiring quick and difficult decisions and action in the next two critical months. This is not the time for on-the-job training for a majority of new board members without also utilizing the experience of someone who has successfully been through this before.