GO Public Schools Advocates
Oakland
2020 Candidate Endorsements
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2020 Elections: Get Involved
The 2020 OUSD School Board elections are just around the corner, and we’ve endorsed the following candidates.
Watch our live endorsement announcement videos to hear from the candidates themselves!
Vea nuestro video de anuncio de patrocinio de candidatos en vivo en español.
Austin Dannhaus
- OUSD School Board Candidate
- District 1
“As a former 3rd grade teacher, I know what it’s like to be responsible for the academic, social, and emotional development of students. We need board members who understand the weight of that responsibility and will put students first with every decision they make.”
I’m a first-generation college graduate whose career has been dedicated to the promise of public education as a tool for economic and racial justice. I’ve served as a state and federal policy advocate, community organizer, after school program founder, and high school coach. I’m also a proven small business leader and trusted advisor to education and economic opportunity organizations, as well as a professor with the San Quentin Prison University Project. As a director, I will align resources to student success, end racial inequity, address budget mismanagement, and invest in educators. I will unite our community through open, honest, and collaborative leadership.
Maiya Edgerly
- OUSD School Board Candidate
- District 3
“As a candidate for Oakland School Board, I will bring fresh, innovative strategies that will break the cycle of mismanagement in OUSD.”
I founded and operated a college readiness program that supports underserved, who often become the first in their families to attend college. With over 10 years of resource development experience, I have aided thousands of local students find post-high school success including attending Historically Black Colleges Universities. Onyx Scholars gave me the entrepreneurial and executive experience that is needed to govern our school district. I’m motivated to bring my Executive Director skill set and my successful track record, to closing the achievement gap for underserved students to the position of a School Board Director position. As District 3 trustee, I am committed to reestablishing the trust of the community and building policies that reflect our needs and voices.
Mark Hurty
- OUSD School Board Candidate
- District 3
“As an OUSD board member I will create policies that improve academic outcomes, especially with respect to literacy.”
I am a 1975 graduate of Skyline High School and have several connections to Oakland Unified School District. I met my wife when we worked as aides at Thornhill elementary in
1976, we sent our two sons to school in the district, and I taught at Edna Brewer Middle School. After high school I attended UC Berkeley and ultimately earned my BA from Western Illinois University. I have completed a certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University, and I currently work as a senior product manager for the nonprofit EducationSuperHighway.
As an OUSD board member I will create policies that improve academic outcomes, especially with respect to literacy. I will also work to establish policies that prioritize equitable spending and a transparent, community driven budgeting process. In my current work I am responsible for developing tools that help school districts around the country bridge the digital divide. I will bring that experience to the board as OUSD grapples with the challenges of equitably serving students who are learning from home.
Leroy Gaines
- OUSD School Board Candidate
- District 5
“The reason I am running for Oakland School Board is simple: 36,000 students. In a district where 67% of students are failing English and 73% are failing math, it is clear we need a leader who has direct experience successfully addressing these challenges.”
I have spent the last 20 years serving communities as a teacher, principal, mentor, and union leader. I was recognized as Principal of the Year and my school, Acorn Woodland Elementary, was named a California Distinguished School. My school and I were recognized by the Human Rights Campaign and Our Family Coalition for our work creating transformative, inclusive learning communities for our children. I know that educational equity is achievable and I will fight every day until all children of Oakland have access to a high-quality education. Oakland needs a leader who can build our schools and build them better.
Dr. Clifford Thompson
- OUSD School Board Candidate
- District 7
“On the School Board, I will fight to ensure students can get individualized instruction from caring, qualified teachers, address rising inequality by ensuring every student has the technology and tools they need to learn safely, and address our school district's financial challenges.”
For over four decades, I served students and families in Oakland and Richmond — as a
Teacher and a School Principal. I know our schools can do more to support families, fight inequality and racism, and ensure every kid receives an excellent education. I raised my son as a single Dad while he attended Oakland public schools. As a parent and a black Educator, I am troubled by the ways that racism continues to affect students’ education.
I believe we must do more to weed out systemic racism in Oakland Unified School District. On the School Board, I will fight to ensure students can get individualized instruction from caring, qualified teachers, address rising inequality by ensuring every student has the technology and tools they need to learn safely, and address our school district’s financial challenges.
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Paid for by Families and Educators for Public Education, sponsored by GO Public Schools Advocates. Committee major funding from Michael Bloomberg.This advertisement was not authorized by a candidate or a committee controlled by a candidate.