Election Forum recaps and recordings

Moderator Jennifer Nixon from the League of Women Voters of Piedmont, CA posed questions to the Piedmont Unified School District Board of Education candidates who are running in the November 2022 General election. The candidates in attendance were Shirley Hooi, Ruchi Medhekar, and Lindsay Thomasson.

Each candidate gave a two-minute opening statement, was given one and a half minutes to answer each of the following questions, and gave a one-minute closing statement.

• Question 1: In the past year or so, a number of high level administrators have moved on or retired from PUSD. What specific steps will you take to ensure high quality candidates are recruited and retained, and as part of your answer please discuss how you see your role as a school board member with respect to the Superintendent of Schools?
• Question 2: What do you think are the most important issues facing the schools, and how would you propose to address them?
• Question 3: Reported incidents involving bigotry and sexual assault among students is troubling. How do you believe the Board of Education can most effectively address these problems?
• Question 4: Do you support incorporating the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in the educational competencies and outcomes for our students? Please explain why or why not?
• Question 5: Measure H, which passed in 2019, provided for tax revenue that was to be used for the specific purpose of attracting and retaining teachers and education support staff. Explain whether you think Measure H fulfilled its purpose and has there been sufficient oversight for the funds?
• Question 6: What are the three most important things our children can learn at school and what would your role as a member of the Board of Education be to help prepare our children for a changing world?
• Question 7: How will you work to foster an environment of transparency and healthy communication between the Board and the community?
• Question 8: The Piedmont Police Department has reapplied for the Tobacco Grant which funds the school resource officer. Do you support having an armed police officer closely working within the school district, especially when many cities are eliminating school police departments? Why or why not?
• Question 9: What steps will you propose during your first term to reduce District emissions and improve sustainability practices and procedures?
• Question 10: What are your recommendations for supporting the mental health of our students?

00:00 Forum start

00:25 LWV Intro

04:50 Opening Statements

10:42 Question 1

15:30 Question 2

19:28 Question 3

24:18 Question 4

28:40 Question 5

32:47 Question 6

37:13 Question 7

41:24 Question 8

45:45 Question 9

48:54 Question 10

52:46 Closing Statements

55:40 Forum Close

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