BOE Candidates Pull Applications

By Marcus Tolero, Alameda Sun Staff Writer Thursday, July 22, 2004

Several candidates vying for spots on next year’s Alameda Unified School District’s (AUSD) Board of Education pulled applications last week. The three open positions for next year’s school board will be decided in the election Nov. 2.

David Forbes

David Forbes, general manager of Club Nautique, first got involved with the schools in 1999 when his children started school. Since then, Forbes has worked for different organizations and causes. He was the founding member of the Measure A (school) parcel tax committee, a co-chair for the Measure C campaign in March, a board member for the Alameda Education Foundation, president of Alameda PTA Council and he’s sat on various other committees. Because of his involvement within the school district, he has received awards and honors including the “Volunteer of the Year” award.

“I know I could bring leadership to the school district,” Forbes said. “I would be very comfortable in the position.”

Forbes said that there are four issues he would like to address if he is elected onto the Board of Education: closing the achievement gap, increasing community involvement within the school district, acquiring new and different sources of funding and improving the safety and health of students.

“I know the district and I know the issues. It’s time for an effective change,” Forbes said.

William Schaff

Running with Forbes for a spot on the Board of Education is Bay Isle Financial President and Chief Investment Officer William Schaff. Schaff, who received a master’s degree in engineering from the University of California, Davis, has an extensive background in finance. In fact, he serves as trustee and chairman of the Investment Committee of the Alameda County Employees Retirement Board and is a member of the San Francisco Analysts Society.

Schaff said his experience in finance would be an aid to a district that continually faces budget concerns. “I’m not really interested in politics,” Schaff said. “But I am about improving the school district.”

While he shares many of Forbes’ viewpoints on what should be addressed within the district, Schaff said that communication between the district and the community is one of his priorities.

“I prefer communicating as opposed to propaganda,” Schaff said. “The community needs to know what we (Board of Education) are responsible for and what we’re not responsible for.”

Karin Lucas

Karin Lucas, a 70-year-old retired attorney, has been a resident of Alameda for the past 40 years. In that time, she’s served three terms on the Alameda City Council and currently is a commissioner of the Public Utilities Board.

“I really think I could help the district,” Lucas said.

Although her children attended school in the district and have since gone on to college, Lucas said there are still things that need improvement like AUSD’s budget.

“One of the solutions to the budget is obtaining funding. I don’t think we should cut anymore, especially teacher’s salaries. They’re the ones that carry the district,” Lucas said.

Like Forbes and Schaff, Lucas agreed that there should be more communication with community members and employees. “We need to include teachers and families when we are making decisions” Lucas said.

Current board members Janet Gibson and Bob Reeves also pulled an application to run for school board. The deadline to submit an application is Aug. 6.

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Last modified: July 23, 2004

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