Special to Valley Community Newspapers
(From Vally Community Newspapers, Inc., October 13th, 2010)
SACRAMENTO – Joined by a diverse coalition of business and community leaders, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson announced endorsements for school board candidates running in three key races in the Sacramento City Unified School District.
Endorsements included teacher Paige Powell in Area 1, teacher Andrea Corso in Area 2, and community activist and attorney Shane Singh in Area 6.
“For too long, our city’s schools have failed to deliver a quality education our students deserve,” Johnson explained. “This is unacceptable, and accountability must begin at the top. We need school board leadership with the vision and courage to bring real reform to our failing schools.”
Johnson’s much anticipated announcement comes after a series of meetings with candidates running for school board positions. He explained that the coalition sought to support candidates who emphasized accountability, results, and a willingness to put children’s interests above all else.
“Paige, Andie, and Shane are some of the most talented and exciting candidates to run for the School Board in recent memory,” the mayor said. “They understand the challenges students, parents, teachers and administrators face. More importantly, they are committed to challenging a broken status quo that impedes progress and reform.”
The mayor was joined by a diverse coalition of business, faith, civic, education, and public safety leaders united in a commitment to make school reform a top priority for the city.
“The children of Sacramento are the city’s most important asset,” said Mark Tyndale, vice president of the Sacramento Police Officers Association. “We applaud and join the efforts of Mayor Johnson to bring reform and vision to a system that is failing too many students and families.”
“From a business perspective, we cannot sustain a strong city without great schools,” explained Frank Washington, owner and CEO of Moon Shot Communications. “An educated workforce is essential to ensuring Sacramento’s competitiveness in an increasingly global economy.”
Johnson is the latest in a series of major endorsements earned by the candidates. All three have been endorsed by the Sacramento Police Officers Association and Metro Chamber PAC. In addition, the Sacramento Bee has endorsed Corso and Singh. Corso has also received support from Democrats for Education Reform. Singh’s endorsements include SMUD Director Larry Carr, and former Sac City Unified Board Members Karen Young, Rick Jennings, Tom Griffin and Nancy Findeisen. Powell’s additional endorsements include Supervisor Jimmie Yee and Council Member Robbie Waters.
Johnson’s involvement in the school board races is the latest in a series of efforts to improve Sacramento schools.
His STAND UP education initiative has convened three education summits since 2009, authored an “Education That Works” white paper, and most recently, hosted two sold-out private screenings of the new documentary “Waiting for Superman” to stimulate community discussion on school reform. Johnson also played a key role in passing state “Race to the Top” school reform legislation, and chairs two national Mayoral Task Forces for US Education Secretary Arne Duncan and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
For more information on the candidates, visit www.corsoforkids.net, www.shanesingh.com, and www.paigeforschoolboard.com.