Local Elections 2020

Candidates vying for political office have the opportunity to submit candidate statements to the Elections Office. Most candidates do write a statement that outlines who they are, why they are running for office and any other matters they might consider important.

El Ravenswood has combed through all the statements for races in East Palo Alto and the Belle Haven community in Menlo Park and compared what each candidate says about their priorities and their qualifications for office.

Candidates are limited to 200-250 words depending on whether it is a local or statewide office. Some candidates were not specific as to the priorities they would work on, focusing more on their academic or professional qualifications. Some incumbents wrote statements that did not indicate their achievements while in office, while other incumbents attributed them to the ‘team’ rather to themselves as individuals and some, of course, gave themselves all the credit.

El Ravenswood is providing the information in this format to allow readers to easily compare each of the candidates.

Sequoia Union High School District (1)

Taskforce

Candidate

Shawneece Stevenson

Priorities

• Quality education for all students • Equity and support of diverse learners

Jacqui Cebrian

Did not file a candidate statement

Ravenswood City School District (2)

Candidate

Bronwyn Alexander

Priorities

• Strong academic programs • Equity and equal access for all students • Wellness programs for students and families

Joel Rivera Make partnerships a priority Bring teachers, staff, students, parents, administrators and the board together. Empowering teachers, staff, parents and students

Marielena GaonaMendoza

Narrow the academic achievement gap Better prepare 8th graders for high school Improve students social and emotional health Address the equity digital

Qualifications

• Served on the Menlo-Atherton Foundation Board • Worked with Black Student Union clubs at Menlo-

Atherton and Sequoia High Schools • Served on the District’s School Re-Opening

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Qualifications

• Veteran teacher of 28 years with 15 in the

Ravenswood City School District

Lived in East Palo Alto for 20 years Wife born and raised in East Palo Alto and a teacher in the Ravenswood City School District

Incumbent Special Education Teacher and advocate Track record of supporting policies such as the Sanctuary Resolution Policy, Students Restraining Policy and better pay for teachers and other staff