Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1035650
What: " We are suppor ting two candidates this year in our school board races. Terr y Tutupalli is a retired school teacher from our district , and a big advocate of working together with educators to make decisions that are in the best interest of students. Samantha Chan is an LUSD parent with a long histor y of volunteering in the classroom and sharing her love for ar t. "LUTA has never had a PAC, so this is a new venture for our chapter." Why: "Most of our school board members have been appointed to their seats and don't have a well-rounded view of what is happening in our schools. LUTA leadership has attended every board meeting and we realized that board members would just rub- ber-stamp what the superintendent told them. It was clear that many of the important decisions being made were not always in the best interest of stu- dents, community and educators. "LUTA wants to support a teach- er-friendly board member who will make decisions after researching all options and information and not just because the cabinet says it is what is best for the district. We also want a board member who will demand that the district is transparent with the budget and encourage collaboration with teachers to provide quality pro- fessional development." How: " We are helping candidates by phone banking, precinct walking, sending mailers and distributing yard signs. Our CTA staff was instrumental in helping us successfully apply for ABC funds. "In the last year, we encouraged more of our members to become involved in bargaining, as we expanded our bargaining team from four people to about 25. Through this, we were able to find new lead- ers to serve on our PAC. Because of these changes, members are more informed and engaged in our asso- ciation. Having more voice in our direction has been a huge success in itself. Our new endeavor with this campaign has invigorated LUTA and brought hope and excitement, which in turn brings us together to cam- paign for real change." LUTA site reps and leadership. Standing, left to right: Pearl LIght, Jerri Rincon, Adrianna Collins, Vicky Sawyer, Kadie Collette, Gloria Carrasco, Sandy Sanchez, Valarie Maurice, Tiffany Fuhrmeister, Sarah Rogers, Bruce Roberson, Nathan Davidson, Brittany Miner, Lisa Abarca, Karen Wensel, Steve Overgaard, Christie Herriage. Sitting, left to right: Samantha Chan, school board candidate area 1; Terry Tutupalli, school board candidate area 3; Natalie Son; Kendall Irey. LINCOLN UNIFIED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION Tiffany Fuhrmeister, president; 471 members Lincoln Unified School District, 12 schools 31 O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 018