Larry Aceves: My Opinion

After analyzing the campaign I have realized that this election is a fight of the Democrats over education in the state of California. There are three candidates running for this position Gloria Romero, Larry Aceves and Tom Torlakson. There seems to be two sides to this election. On the left side there is the old establishment of teachers and unions that speak for the school boards and administrations, where they support keeping the same system that is currently on play. On the right side we have, a mix of parents, philanthropist and civil right groups. They want a reform, saying that there are schools who have not been giving results. Romero and Aceves both support the reform, but Torlakson opposes it, and wants to keep the current system. Aceves believes that the most important issues are, increase equitable school funding, reduce mandates on educators, provide moderate instructional materials, ensure accountability, and enhance career technical education. Romero believes that the most important issues are increasing school funding, increasing patterns participation, decrease drop-out numbers, modernize high school, and the importance of pre-school. Compared to Torlakson who thinks that the most important issues are health, careers, increase safety in local schools, increase funding on the current educational system and increasing health care plans in schools. Out of three candidates the one with the most experience is Aceves, a retired school district superintendent. Romero has experience with being a state senator, and Torlakson has experience being fireman and a teacher. The difference in the endorsements for each candidate also had influence in making my decision. For example the list of endorsements for Romero is short and clearly shows what type of support she is receiving. The endorsements for Torlakson shows how little support from other superintendents he is receiving, and the great amount of support he is getting from teachers and unions. Compared to Aceves, who is receiving support from many other superintendents, which shows a lot about what he might change after winning office. I also took into account the campaign, which Aceves has received 25,800 dollars of support from the Association from Mexican American Educators. It was also reported that Aceves received 112,000 dollars of support from Association of C.A. School Administrators. I am convinced that out of the three candidates , I would support Aceves.

Tom Torlakson: Background

Background:
Born in San Francisco, Tom served as a fireman in the United States Merchant Marine, earning the Vietnam Service Medal. He earned a B.A. in History, a Life Secondary Teaching Credential, and an M.A. in Education from the University of California, Berkeley.

Assemblymember Tom Torlakson is a second-generation teacher who has applied his experience as a science teacher and high school coach to the Contra Costa County’s Mount Diablo Unified School District, to the Antioch City Council, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, and the California State Senate and State Assembly. Tom has acted to improve student nutrition and physical education, give schools the funding support they need to ensure academic achievement, and fought to reduce the dropout rate.

As the chair and founder of the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness, Tom has been a leader on banning junk food from our schools, providing healthier school meals, and promoting student health and fitness.

Tom is running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction so he can fight for our kids. He wants to ensure parents can send their children to a safe, quality school in their own neighborhood. He will seek to expand career and technical education for high school students, protect college-prep courses and arts and music programs, and make sure the management of local school districts measures up to the highest standards of excellence.

Tom Torlakson: Issues

Important Issues:

Health- Tom believes and knows from experience that when a student is not in tip top physical shape or is not adequately fed he is unable to learn to his maximum capacity. He taught classes on health and nutrition and knows what is necessary to have a student's body functioning well. Obesity, depression, and asthma are increasing health risks among our children and are significantly impacting our students.

Careers- Tom believes careers should be the reward of the California school system. He is fighting for reform, better teaching, safety of schools, and the health of students so they can go on to a successful career. The younger generation are the only ones who can replace the older generation so we must instill our knowledge in to them so they can start where we left off and provide new innovative ideas.

Safety- Tom is fighting to ensure safety in our neighborhood K-12 schools. "Other legislators suggest parents should be allowed to send their children to other schools in other districts, regardless of where they live. They call this choice." Tom believes that safety should be established in all neighborhood schools especially those where parental involvement and reform is necessary. Education is and must be a local, neighborhood priority.

Reform- Tom believes in higher education, and the California State University system. Our outstanding higher education systems have been a foundation for our state's economic and educational successes.California is defunding our higher education systems. We are creating an increasingly private system, one with costs that are rapidly outpacing the ability of our younger people to pay. We should work to restore the level of public funding in our higher education system. We should also take steps to protect, and enhance, CalGrants as a way to ensure the dream of a higher education remains possible for as many of our younger people as possible.

Teaching- Tom believes teaching is vital. The schools, teachers, and parents have to teach and believe in the child. He doesn't only believe in classroom teaching but many after school programs such as gang intervention and violence prevention programs; enhanced career technical education classes;restoring funding for school nurses; and organizing access to health care plans such as MediCal and Healthy Families. The parents play just as big a role as the schools. Teaching at home is key. Teaching character to children at a young age helps the student prevail in the long run.

Tom Torlakson: Endorsements

Endorsements:
Statewide Organizations
California Labor Federation
California Teachers Association
California Federation of Teachers
California School Employees Association
California Faculty Association
California National Organization for Women PAC
California Building & Construction Trades Council
California Young Democrats
California Professional Firefighters
California Statewide Law Enforcement Association
CDF Firefighters Association
California State Assn of Electrical Workers
California SEIU State Council
Southern Cal District Council of ILWU
California United Food and Commercial Workers
California Nurses Association
California Association of Highway Patrolmen
Laborers' Int'l Union of Northern America
Peace Officers Research Association of California
State and Federal Elected Officials
Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin
Former Secretary of Education David Long
Congressman and Former Lt. Governor John Garamendi
Congressman Dennis Cardoza
Congresswoman Judy Chu
Congressman Sam Farr
Congressman Bob Filner
Former Congressman Mel Levine
Congressman Jerry McNerney
Congressman George Miller
Congresswoman Laura Richardson
Former Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher
Congressman Mike Thompson
Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey
Former State Librarian Kevin Starr
Chairwoman Betty Yee, California Board of Equalization
Local and Regional Labor Organizations
AFSCME District Council 15
Marine Firemen's Union
Communication Workers of America
Contra Costa Co Bldg & Const Trades Council
Contra Costa Deputy Sheriffs' Association
Contra Costa Professional Firefighters 1230
District Council 16, Painters and Glaziers
Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings Building & Construction Trades Council
Int'l Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 302
Los Angeles Co Prof Peace Officers Assn
Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs' Association
Los Angeles Police Protection League
Los Angeles School Police Association
Mendocino & Lake Co Bldg & Const Trades
Napa-Solano Bldg & Const Trades Council
Democratic Clubs and Organizations
Chicano Democratic Assn of San Diego
Contra Costa County Democratic Central Cmte
Democratic Party of San Diego
Democratic Party of San Fernando Valley (a federation of 27 Democratic Clubs)
Democrats of Napa Valley
Democrats of Rossmoor
East Contra Costa County Democratic Club
Fem Dems of Mills College
Filipino American Democratic Caucus of Contra Costa County
Gardena Valley Democratic Club
Harvey Milk Democractic Club (S.F.)
Lamorinda Democratic Club
Orange County Young Democrats
Pasadena Area United Democrats
Potrero Hill Democratic Club
Progressive Democrats of LA County
Sacramento Fem Dems
Sacramento Young Democrats
San Diego Democratic Club
Sonoma County Young Democrats
Stonewall Democratic Club of Los Angeles
UC Irvine Young Democrats
UCLA Young Democrats
USC Young Democrats
Valley Grassroots for Democracy
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Democratic Club
West Los Angeles Democratic Club
Women Democrats of Sacramento County
Activists and Grassroots Leaders
Alice Bulos, Principal Advisor, California Filipino American Democratic Caucus*
Michael Burtch, Chair, Stanislaus Democratic Central Committee*
Chuck Carpenter, Chair, Contra Costa Democratic Central Committee*
Helen Doherty, Chair, Native American Caucus*
Jess Durfee, Chair, San Diego County Democratic Party*
Mary Garripoli, Vice Chair, Pasadena Area United Democrats*
John Heaner, California Democratic Party Region 13 Director*
Judy Jacobs, Chair, Children's Caucus*
Argentina Davila-Luevano, State Director, LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens)*
Angel Luevano, Nat'l V-P, Far East Region, LULAC*
Betty McMillion, Chair, Riverside Democratic Central Committee*
Steven Rivera, California Democratic Party Region 21 Director*
Cara Robin, President, West LA Democratic Club*
Carol Robb, Chair, San Bernardino Democratic Central Committee*
Lucy Sells, Former California Democratic Party Region 6 Director*
Linda Sutton, Vice-Chair, Progressive Democrats of LA*
Suzan Wilkinson, Political Action Chair, Democratic Women of the Desert*
(*organization for identification purposes only)
State Legislators
Senator Elaine Alquist
Former Senator Daniel E. Boatwright
Senator Gil Cedillo
Senator Mark DeSaulnier
Former Senator Joe Dunn
Senator Robert Dutton
Former Senator Martha Escutia
Former Senator Maurice Johannessen
Former Senator Betty Karnette
Former Senator Carole Migden
Former Senator Steve Peace
Former Senator Ed Vincent
Senator Pat Wiggins
Senator Lois Wolk
Senator Rod Wright
Assemblymember Tom Ammiano
Assemblymember Jim Beall
Assemblymember Marty Block
Former Assemblymember & Former Secy of Bus, Trans & Housing Julie Bornstein
Former Assemblymember Valerie Brown, Supervisor, Sonoma County
Assemblymember Joan Buchanan
Assemblymember Charles Calderon
Frmr Assemblymember Robert Campbell
Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter
Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro
Assemblymember Kevin DeLeon
Assemblymember Mike Eng
Assemblymember Noreen Evans
Assemblymember Mike Feuer
Assemblymember Paul Fong
Frmr Assemblymember Dario Frommer
Assemblymember Warren Furutani
Former Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg, Chair Assembly Education Committee
Assemblymember Isadore Hall
Former Assemblymember Sally Havice
Assemblymember Mary Hayashi
Assemblymember Ed Hernandez
Former Speaker & Assemblymember Bob Hertzberg
Assemblymember Jerry Hill
Assemblymember Jared Huffman
Former Assemblymember Fred Keeley, Treasurer-Tax Collector, Santa Cruz County
Former Assemblymember John Knox
Assemblymember John Laird
Former Assemblymember John Longville, Board Member, San Bernardino Comm College Dist
Assemblymember Fiona Ma
Assemblymember Tony Mendoza
Assemblymember Bill Monning
Former Assemblymember Gene Mullin
Former Assemblymember George Nakano
Assemblymember Manny Perez
Assemblymember Nancy Skinner
Assemblymember Sandre Swanson
Former Assemblymember Helen Thomson, Supervisor, Yolo Co
Assemblymember Norma Torres
Former Assemblymember Curtis Tucker
Assemblymember Mariko Yamada
School Superintendents
Superintendent Vicki Barber, El Dorado County
Former Superintendent Bill Barr, Monterey County
Former Vice Chancellor of UCLA Winston C. Doby
Former Supt, Herb Fisher, San Bernardino County
Superintendent Sheila Jordan, Alameda County
Superintendent Barbara Nemko, Napa County
Superintendent Joe Ovick, Contra Costa County
Superintendent Michael Watkins, Santa Cruz County
Superintendent Kenneth M. Young, Riverside County
Superintendent Susan Silver, Scotts Valley USD
Superintendent Elliott Duchon, Jurupa USD
Superintendent Stan Scheer, Murrieta Valley USD
Superintendent Susan Silver, Scotts Valley USD
School Board Members
Board Member Ben Allen, Santa Monica-Malibu USD
Board Member Hector Chacon, Montebello USD
Board Member John Fickas, Santa Rita School
Board Member Gary Falati, Fairfield Suisun SD
Board Member Norman Fobert, San Lorenzo USD
Board Member John Futch, San Bernardino CCD
Trustee Hal Gin, Chabot-Las Positas CCD
Board Member Rich Grosch, San Diego CCD
Board Member Roy Grimes, Sacramento City USD
Board Member John Hanna, Rancho Santiago CCD
Board Member Jennifer Henry, Dublin USD
Board President Robert Hidalgo, Rowland USD
Board Member Patty Holohan, Redlands USD
Board Member Sheila Jackson, San Diego USD
Board Member Linda Jones, Westside USD
Board Member Linda Mayo, Mt. Diablo USD
Board Member Lisa Kaplan, Natomas USD
Former Board Member Patricia Kohnen, Dublin USD
Board Member Doug Metz, Coronado USD
Trustee David Mineta, Jefferson UHSD
Board Member Dexter Louie, Moraga School Dist
Board Member EvaMarie Martinez, Salinas UHSD
Board Member Jim Reavis, Salinas UHSD
Board Member Anthony Riley, Hesperia USD
Former Board Member Michael Rosenberg, Rosemead SD
Trustee Jacki Fox Ruby, Alameda Board of Education
Trustee Fred Sims, Alameda Co Board of Education
Board Member Sheila Sims, Hayward USD
Trustee Donald Singer, San Bernardino CCD
Board Member Suzan Solomon, Newhall SD
Board Member David Stine, San Bernardino USD
Board Member Paul Strange, Mt. Diablo USD
Board Member Benjamin Tamez, Jr., Palmier USD
Board Member Donald Terry, Sacramento City USD
Board Member Tony Thurmond, WContra Costa USD
Trustee Chris Ungar, San Luis Coastal USD
Trustee Tomi Van de Brooke, Contra Costa CCCD
Trustee Sherry Whitmarsh, Mt. Diablo USD
Trustee Garrett Yee, Ohlone College Board
District Attorneys
District Attorney Bob Kochly, Contra Costa County
District Attorney Gary Lieberstein, Napa County
Sheriff Lee Baca, Los Angeles County
County Supervisors
Supervisor Judy Arnold, Marin County
Supervisor Susan Bonilla, Contra Costa County
Supervisor Anthony Botelho, San Benito County
Supervisor Bill Dodd, County of Napa
Supervisor John Gioia, Contra Costa County
Supervisor Federal Glover, Contra Costa County
Former Supervisor Jim Gonzalez, City and County of San Francisco
Supervisor Josie Gonzales, San Bernardino County
Former Supervisor Mary Griffin, San Mateo County
Supervisor Liz Kniss, Santa Clara County
Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker, Alameda County
Supervisor Mary Piepho, Contra Costa County
Supervisor Simon Salinas, Monterey County
Supervisor Linda Seifert, Solano County
Supervisor James Spering, Solano County
Supervisor John Vasquez, Solano County
Former Supervisor Leon Williams, San Diego County
City Councilmembers and Mayors
Mayor Brandt Andersson, Lafayette
Mayor Guy Bjerke, Concord
Mayor Salvatore Evola, Pittsburg
Mayor Bob Foster, Long Beach
Mayor Michael Harris, Pleasant Hill
Mayor Roger Hernandez, West Covina
Mayor Jennifer Hosterman, Pleasanton
Vice Mayor David Hudson, San Ramon
Former Mayor Lowell Hurst, Watsonville
Vice Mayor Michael Kee, Pittsburg
Mayor Robert Livengood, Milpitas
Mayor Ron Loveridge, Riverside
President Pro Tem Jim Madaffer, San Diego
Mayor Thomas McCormick, Orinda
Former Mayor Michael McPoland, Brentwood
Vice Mayor Kevin Mullin, South San Francisco
Mayor Gavin Newsom, San Francisco
Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, Benicia
Mayor Julie Pierce, Clayton
Mayor Harry Price, Fairfield
Mayor Pro Tem Mary Rocha, Antioch
Mayor Dennis Donahue, Salinas
Mayor Tim Sbranti, Dublin
Mayor Rob Schroder, Martinez
Vice Mayor Victoria Smith, Orinda
Mayor Michael Sweeney, Hayward
Mayor Casey Tanaka, Coronado
Vice Mayor Chuck Timm, Fairfield
Mayor Pro Tem Michael Touhey, West Covina
Mayor Kris Valstad, Hercules
Councilmember Carl Anduri, Lafayette
Councilmember Ed Balico, Hercules
Councilmember Shane Brinton, Arcata
Councilmember Gregg Brockbank, San Rafael
Councilmember Tom Butt, Richmond
Councilmember Suzanne Chan, Fremont
Councilmember Cheryl Cook-Kallio, Pleasanton
Councilmember Ryan Coonerty, Santa Cruz
Councilmember David Durant, Pleasant Hill
Councilmember Jim Frazier, Oakley
Councilmember Laurie Gallian, Sonoma
Councilmember George Gastil, Lemon Grove
Councilmember Steven Glazer, Orinda
Councilmember John Hanecak, Pleasant Hill
Councilmember Kasie Hildenbrand, Dublin
Council President Ben Hueso, San Diego
Councilmember Ben Johnson, Pittsburg
Councilmember Brian Kalinowski, Antioch
Councilmember Carole Knutson, Novato
Councilmember Marc Levine, San Rafael
Councilmember Joe Eddy McDonald, Hercules
Councilmember Karen Mitchoff, Pleasant Hill
Councilmember Reggie Moore, Antioch
Councilmember Paul Morris, San Pablo
Councilmember Peter Murray, Pinole
Councilmember Jim Navarro, Union City
Councilmember Patrick O'Donnell, Long Beach
Councilmember Gina Papan, Millbrae
Councilmember Martha Parsons, Antioch
Councilmember Mark Peterson, Concord
Councilmember Greg Pettis, Cathedral City
Councilmember Sandi Potter, El Cerrito
Councilmember James Prola, San Leandro
Councilmember Bill Quirk, Hayward
Councilmember Kish Rajan, Walnut Creek
Councilmember Gwen Regalia, Walnut Creek
Councilmember Deborah Robertson, Rialto
Treasurer Carolyn Robinson, Martinez
Councilmember Jim Rogers, City of Richmond
Councilmember Carol Rowley, City of San Ramon
Councilmember Sergio Sanchez, City of Salinas
Councilmember Sue Severson, City of Orinda
Vice Mayor Victoria Smith, City of Orinda
Councilmember Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, National City
Councilmember Diana Souza, San Leandro
Councilmember Rick Vaccaro, Fairfield
Councilmember Amy Worth, Orinda
Councilmember Gary Wysocky, Santa Rosa
Councilmember Maria Theresa Viramontes, Richmond

Tom Torlakson: My Vote

Analysis
As I was analyzing Tom Torlakson he sort of caught my eye. He had his major issues of health, careers, safety, reform, and teaching which are ideal but he really only had experience in health and teaching. And his teaching was about health. If there was a position for health and wellness (*nurse) he should apply for that. He has a lot of endorsements but thats because he is quite popular, working in several counties and being a California state senator. But what swayed me away from voting for him was his endorsements and a specific category of his endorsements, the School Superintendents. There are 58 counties in the state of California and he is only endorsed by 13 of those counties. That number shocked me and is keeping my vote away from him.
He is also supported by the teachers unions and he is known to meet their demands. I would vote for Larry Aceves because he has the same ideal issues in mind but he backs it up with years of experience and efforts trying to fix them. He is a former teacher, principal and superintendent.

Gloria Romero: Background

Background:
Goria Romero served as a member of the powerful Senate Rules Committee immediately upon her election and was subsequently elected as Democratic Caucus Chair. Soon after, she was elected as Majority Leader—the first and only woman to ever hold that leadership position in the history of the California State Senate.Senator Romero currently serves as Chair of the Education Committee as well as Chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee on Education, making her one of the most influential voices on education policy in California. Senator Romero believes that education is the civil rights issue of our time. “My mother had a sixth grade education; I have a PhD. I understand the transformational power of education and the key it holds to accessing the American Dream”. She created and chaired the Senate Select Committee on Urban School Governance. She has authored numerous pieces of legislation seeking to restore accountability in our public school educational system and enhance the learning opportunities for California’s students.
Senator Romero has also chaired the Senate Public Safety Committee and convened the Senate Select Committee on the California Correctional System. Prior to her election to the Senate, Romero served as a member of the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees—the largest community college district in the nation. In 1995 she was the first Latina ever elected to this Board and served as its Vice President prior to her election to the California State Assembly in 1998. Upon her election she was appointed Majority Whip. Romero was also simultaneously elected in 1998 to the Los Angeles Charter Reform Commission to overhaul the city charter. She served as its first Interim Chair and resigned to serve in the Assembly.
Senator Romero is the product of California’s public education system. She earned her PhD in Psychology at the University of California and has taught at every level of higher education. She received the Outstanding Faculty Member award by the Associated Students at Cal State LA after only her second year on the faculty.
Senator Romero is a pro-choice legislator and has long championed progressive agendas focused on labor, the environment, and civil rights.

Taken from: http://dist24.casen.govoffice.com/

Gloria Romero: Issues

Important Issues:
1. Funding: Gloria Romero believes that the funding should increase for education, but that the money is monitored and used well, in order to have the students achieve sucess.
2.Parent Involvement: She believes that parents should be more involved and increase particpation. As well as having teachers of good quality.
3. Student Involvement: Gloria wants to decrease the number of "drop out' students, because it not only costs the nation a lot of money, but it also "destroys their lives."
4. Reform: To modernize high schools with the three R's : rigor, relevance and readiness. Also to ensure that the sutdents are ready for college ready, and taught skills necessary for todya's global economy.
5. Connection: She believes that education starts at birth, and that Pre- School should be connected to K-12. this will help smooth out the pipeline between K-12 and college.