Pleasanton Unified Trustee Arkin Announces Council Bid

PLEASANTON, CA — Pleasanton Unified School District Trustee Valerie Arkin has announced her candidacy for the Pleasanton City Council during this November's general election.

Arkin was first elected to the PUSD Board of Trustees in November 2008, as Pleasanton Weekly first reported. Her term expires this December, meaning she will not seek another term on the board.

Arkin said on her campaign website that she has lived in Pleasanton for 27 years and is a manager at local nonprofit Hively, which serves families in need. She said she has been a community volunteer for 25 years and served as a library commissioner for eight years, until she reached her term limit.

"My role on the school board and as school board president contributed to the top-rated education, academics, and improved facilities in the Pleasanton school district," she said in a statement on her website. "I want to bring this level of excellence to our city government."

Arkin's top priority would be serving the greater good of all residents as the city navigates post-coronavirus challenges, she said. Other priorities include government transparency; downtown and environmental preservation; and evaluating how future developments would impact local schools, traffic and the water supply.

Arkin said she seeks to be financially responsible and noted that she came onboard the PUSD Board of Trustees during the Great Recession. Trustees had "to make to with what we had," she said in the statement.

Pleasanton Planning Commissioners Nancy Allen and Jack Balch have also announced plans to run for the two council seats up for grabs this November.