CSBA Updates
CSBA PACER Marty Fatooh Updates:
September 2, 2022
First and foremost, I wanted to wish each and every one of you all the best as we enter the new school year! The last three years have been tough and challenging, but SMC school boards, members, and the county office have risen to the occasion, to the best of their abilities, for the kids. As your public affairs representative with the statewide organization representing these elected boards, I am here to help you and your boards grow in these ever-changing times. I would be naive not to mention a crisis that we have both here in our county, as well as across the state of California. That crisis is the recruitment of individuals to step up and run for school board and the retention of excellent public servants on these boards. In November 2020, we saw a great wave of young, talented people running to serve on school boards, city councils, and many other elected offices for the first time. Many of these runs were inspired by seeing the injustices and inequities in our country and local communities, specifically brought to light during the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 presidential election, and the murder of George Floyd, to name a few. Fast forward to August 2022, in the Bay Area, there are over 100 seats on school boards up for election. According to the ROVs (in multiple counties), many remain unopposed. Santa Clara County is just one of many counties statewide that are struggling with the recruitment and retention of school board members. To the members who have decided to retire at the end of the year or move on in their public service, thank you for all that you have done for the kids in your local communities. For the last three years you have had to deal with harassment in your role and personal life, and for some of you, even towards your family members and close friends. As I pointed out a few days ago, I am proud that our organization (CSBA) took action on behalf of our members. We advocated the legislature and demanded that the elections committee begin to really look at how damaging recall elections and signature gathering efforts can be from both the fiscal and mental health perspectives of a community. We are grateful that ASB 2874 (Berman Recall Thresholds) has made it through Senate Appropriations and will see a floor vote. In addition to this bill and other efforts around election reform, none of this could have been possible if current school board members hadn’t come forward and shared their personal experiences during the listening portion of the legislative process.
Legislative Wins– Thank you to all who participated in ongoing legislative efforts on the state budget! Our Home 2 School transportation bill made it through in addition to extra one-time funds being allocated for specific programs in different parts of the State. Just last night, the Senate passed our sponsored housing bill, AB 2295 (Bloom) which addresses a number of issues that present barriers to LEAs in pursuing housing development projects for staff and teachers. The great work done on this bill was in partnership with UCLA’s” City Lab”, Cal Center for Cities+Schools, and the Terner Center for Housing This year, I look forward to continuing to partner with the county association, specifically with our member-led legislative action committee on strengthening our relationships with legislators as well as federal education matters. Even though it is early in the year, I do want to point out that CSBA is no longer affiliated with the National School Board Association, which will now create further opportunities to engage congress and the Biden administration on education-related matters. I want to encourage all members to consider joining CSBA during our Washington DC trip in the Spring, which we would love to triple the attendance of! I look forward to coordinating a town hall event with our congressional representatives (district directors most likely) which will likely occur following the November election cycle.