OP-ED: Temecula Teachers' Union Throws Weight Behind 2 Board Candidates

The following was submitted for publication by TVEA:

“Temecula Teachers Support Parent Cheryl Eckard and Retired Teacher Sandy Hinkson for Election in November School Board Election.”

Temecula teachers are pleased to announce their support for two of the seven candidates running for TVUSD School Board. Last week, the Temecula Valley Educators Association (TVEA) interviewed all seven declared candidates individually seeking information about their perspective of the role of a board member and their vision for the district. A five member panel including Co-Chairs Alexa Ingram-Dupart and Rafael Loza, elementary teacher Cheryl Bryant, middle school teacher Peter Ricchio, and high school teacher Mitchell Brown represented TVEA.

[RELATED: Public Forum for TVUSD School Board Candidates Announced]

TVEA recommends the election of Cheryl and Sandy because they are respected long-time members of our educational community. Their own adult children were highly successful students in our Temecula schools. They are well informed citizens who TVEA believes will communicate effectively with all stakeholder groups including parents, students, and teachers. They will ask the tough questions about issues like the district budget and common core implementation.

Temecula teachers have been in protracted contact negotiations with the Temecula Valley Unified District for twenty months, since January 2013. Teachers’ contract expired in June 2013 and negotiations have become contentious. When the TVUSD board voted 3-0 with two members absent August 19th to extend the contracts of two assistant superintendents until 2018 and Superintendent Tim Ritter until 2019 TVEA argued it was ill timed. This was emblematic of the “rubber stamp” relationship the current board has with district management. Temecula teachers look forward to electing board members who will be visible in our schools, be accessible to community members, and strengthen the voice of those being represented by the school board.

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