Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1035650
DON BRIDGE Retired CTA/NEA life member and Associated Chino Teachers (ACT ) member; former CTA Board Mem- ber; taught high school government for 33 years; 38 total years in education. What: Candidate for Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education. He first ran for one of three open seats on the school board two years ago and came up just short, finishing fourth by only 743 votes. (The top four fin- ishers all received more than 22,000 votes.) Why: "Coming so close two years ago, I wanted to give the campaign one more try." He is hoping this time will be successful in order to flip the board majority. Two current board members unfriendly to educators have made a practice of grandstanding during meetings and espous- ing controversial viewpoints, which has resulted in a lawsuit against the school district. "It is my hope to be elected and not only change the majority but also bring back decorum to the meet- ings and a proper focus on education." How: "My campaign has been endorsed by ACT and the local chapter of the California School Employees Association (CSEA). ACT applied for and received ABC funding. I have been meeting with local community parent groups who oppose the board majority. ACT and CSEA are scheduling precinct walks. ACT is sending a letter to CTA members living within the district boundaries. Some teachers will be writing letters to the local Chino newspaper." JOSÉ ALCALÁ Moreno Valley Educators Association; he served on MVEA's bargaining team, and also as past chair of CTA's Hispanic Caucus. An educator in Moreno Val- ley Unified School District for 15 years, he currently is a member of the CTA Board of Directors, representing edu- cators in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. What: Candidate for Riverside Com- munity College District Board of Trustees, Area 4; endorsed by Riverside Community College Faculty Association (RCCFA), Corona-Norco Teachers Association and Alvord Educators Asso- ciation, along with the local central labor council, building trades' unions and others. Why: "Once the faculty at the college and elected officials that I respect asked me to run, I knew it was time. I was definitely humbled that people believed in me." His platform includes expanding job training programs, maintaining fiscal accountability, and increasing community college accessibility for all. He is a graduate of the Riverside college district and wants to "pay it forward" for helping him to succeed in life, plus serve as a role model. "I became a teacher to give back and help students just as my teachers had done for me," he says. "Our community is more than 60 percent Hispanic. I could serve as a role model for our people of color in this community. I want folks to see that somebody from the commu- nity can do this." How: "I am going door-to-door, and we are using targeted mail." Members of RCCFA are working hard to get out the vote for Alcalá. " Our community is more than 60 percent Hispanic. I could serve as a role model for our people of color. I want folks to see that somebody from the community can do this." — José Alcalá 40 cta.org Bridge Alcalá