(SAN RAMON, Calif.) – Candidates for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District Board of Education discussed district finances, teacher relations, student support, grading, artificial intelligence, facilities and other priorities during a candidates forum hosted by Danville San Ramon on September 17.
When discussing the district's financial challenges, candidates pointed to declining enrollment, rising costs and the district's reliance on state funding. “The challenge with our funding is almost everything we do is done by people,” Trustee Area 5 Representative Rachel Hurd said. “90% of our budget is people.”
Photo Credit: YouTube / Danville and San Ramon / Rachel Hurd speaking at the forum on September 17.
Trustee Area 5 Candidate Joel Woods said increasing average daily attendance could provide additional revenue. “If we can increase it by one and a half to 2%, that can bring in between 4 and 8 million more into the district,” Woods said.
Photo Credit: YouTube / Danville and San Ramon / Joel Woods speaking at the forum on September 17.
Amanda Butland also pointed to declining enrollment as a financial challenge, saying, “That's one of the big things and that causes the money to go down because we don't have the same number of kids.”
The candidates also discussed the district's relationship with teachers and employee unions. Butland said the district has maintained a strong working relationship with its unions, while Hurd said she was open to ideas that could benefit employees and students if the district could determine how to fund them.
Candidates were also asked about Superintendent CJ Kaminski's performance. Butland said, “I think he's done a really, really good job in his time here so far.” Hurd described him as “an expert communicator” who is “always striving to create the solution that works for everyone.”
Grading policies and artificial intelligence were also discussed. Hurd said, “Grading needs to be meaningful,” while Woods said schools should adapt to the growing use of AI rather than simply prohibit it. “I think with AI…we have to incorporate it into the classroom versus take it away,” Woods said.
Facilities and the possibility of another school bond were other major topics. Butland said, “I don't see that happening anytime soon.” Hurd argued that maintaining existing facilities is essential, saying, “You can't responsibly take care of your capital investments if you don't take care of them.”
Woods said he supported the bond measure discussed during the forum but said his long-term goal would be to reduce the need for future bonds and lower school taxes.
The candidates also discussed equity and support for students with different academic needs. Woods said, “I think our school district…will only be as good as our lowest achieving student.” Butland emphasized identifying students' needs early and providing appropriate accommodations.
When asked why they were running, the candidates highlighted their commitment to the district and students. Hurd said, “I am running again because I love this district and I love this community and I want to continue serving it.”
Butland said she wanted to hear from residents across the community, adding, “I do really want to hear from everyone…because I do think that everybody's perspective has value.”
Hurd said one of the district’s most important priorities is working together to protect existing programs while finding additional revenue.
“I think we really need to work together to preserve what we have and try to figure out how we bring back some of what we value and how in the world we come up with more revenue for our district,” she said.
The candidates ultimately emphasized fiscal responsibility, student achievement and maintaining educational opportunities as key priorities for the district.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please email me at yashi.s@lead4earth.org or leave a comment below.
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