CSBA’s Nominating Committee met on Sept. 14, 2019, to interview the following candidates for President-elect and Vice President of CSBA. For President-elect: Tamara Otero, Cajon Valley Union SD, and Suzanne Kitchens, Pleasant Valley SD. For Vice President: Susan Heredia, Natomas USD.

Following the interviews and the committee’s deliberations, the committee nominated Tamara Otero, and Suzanne Kitchens as candidates for President-elect. As candidate for Vice President, the committee nominated Susan Heredia.

As provided in CSBA’s Standing Rules, qualified individuals interested in being nominated from the floor of the Delegate Assembly must submit a complete Declaration of Candidacy packet, along with their written intention to run, on or before Friday, Nov. 1, 2019. Intentions to run from the floor for President-elect and Vice President must be submitted to CSBA President Emma Turner at eturner@csba.org and the Chair of the Nominating Committee, Susan Scott at sue.scott@leusd.k12.ca.us.

Thank you for supporting me as your Vice President during this last year. It has been my extreme pleasure to serve CSBA. I have learned so much and feel ready and able to move into the position of President Elect with confidence, grace, and a willingness to continue to learn and be self reflective. As we lead the charge for Full and Fair Funding, CSBA has had the stage! It’s been encouraging to meet with a Governor who listened to us, and gave us the opportunity to state our position on education deficiencies within the current system.

I support the Mission and Vision of CSBA and believe strongly that through collaboration we can work to create better education systems in California. We must remain a connected power that drives education policy and reform. Now is the time for change, we cannot let another generation of students be left with adequate education as a result of less than adequate funding. Communities cannot remain apathetic to the needs of our students; we must share our story! As a collective group of School Board Members we have a voice and through the collaborative efforts of CSBA we must continue to inform all of California that our children deserve better than the status quo.

I have been a proven leader for over two decades. I believe good leaders must first be good listeners. I am a committed learner and a passionate advocate. I greatly appreciate your votes of support.

Hello Delegate Assembly, my name is Suzanne Kitchens. I am your candidate for CSBA President Elect.

I want to thank all of you for your work each day to ensure that our students receive the quality education they deserve. These are some of the qualifications I possess that I believe make me the best candidate for President elect:

In closing with our best efforts my wish for Full and Fair Funding will be successful

My email address is skitchens5@verizon.net. Thank you for your consideration.

I would appreciate your vote for me, Suzanne Kitchens, CSBA President elect.

CSBA activities

In closing with our best efforts my wish for Full and Fair Funding will be successful

My email address is skitchens5@verizon.net. Thank you for your consideration.

I would appreciate your vote for me, Suzanne Kitchens, CSBA President elect.

My years of experience as a trustee, as a member of the CSBA Board of Directors and of Delegate Assembly shows a broad spectrum of active involvement at many different levels of public school advocacy. I am an active listener, collaborative, committed, and am highly motivated to continue such advocacy for an education system that helps all students to achieve excellence.

We are all committed to the quality of public education. It is reflected in our efforts to provide rigorous program for our students, ensure accountability for educational outcomes, and in our efforts to secure FULL AND FAIR FUNDING for our schools, a top priority for which I will be relentless. In this manner, we give meaning and life to that impressive CSBA mission statement.

I strongly support initiatives such as the Grassroots Initiative because it aims to understand local issues and provide board members with the necessary tools before they mobilize in their districts and/or at the state level. In this spirit, board members are at the helm of their advocacy efforts. For this reason, I will advocate for local control to ensure board members voices guide the progress in their own district.

By capitalizing on our strengths, combining our efforts, and thereby maximizing our resources, we can increase our capacity to effect change. Speaking with one voice, the essential voice for public education, strengthens our ability to challenge inattention to our collective experience and wisdom about the needs of our public schools.

I respectfully ask for your vote.