Letter to the Editor: The Case for Cunningham, Miller and Tomlinson for the Dublin School Board

Submitted by: James Morehead, parent of two children in the Dublin Unified School District and Chairperson - Dublin High School Site Council

Elected positions are not entitlements. The public is best served when politicians are required to run for re-election and argue their case to the public on a regular basis. The race for the Dublin Unified School District Board of Trustees is a good example - Austin Ogden, a Dublin High School Class of 2012 graduate now attending Diablo Valley College, turned what would have been a non-election into a race, requiring the incumbents Dan Cunningham, Amy Miller and Greg Tomlinson to run campaigns.

While I've never run for office, I've supported local politicians from time-to-time and have seen first-hand the substantial time, energy and money required to mount a successful campaign.

For those thinking school board trustees benefit financially from being elected think again - the stipend for being a trustee is nominal ($2,000 - $3,000 annually). Small district school trustees run for election because they are passionate about education. On November 6, voters in Dublin will select three trustees from a field of four.

While I respect Mr. Ogden's decision to run, and admire his passion for wanting to serve on the Board of Trustees and help fellow students succeed, I am endorsing Dan Cunningham, Amy Miller and Greg Tomlinson for three key reasons:

• New school board trustees have a steep learning curve. While DUSD is a relatively small school district, it is still a complex, multi-million dollar organization that serves thousands of students. In Dan Cunningham, Amy Miller and Greg Tomlinson we have three very active Board Trustees who have served long enough to be up-to-speed, but not so long that they've run out of energy or ideas.
• Dan Cunningham, Amy Miller and Greg Tomlinson all have children attending Dublin public schools and are highly likely to remain in office for the full four-year term. Collectively they have represented Dublin public school parents, students and taxpayers well and have provided a balanced view on several controversial and complex decisions in recent years. I've seen Dan Cunningham, Amy Miller and Greg Tomlinson meet with and seek input from parents and citizens across Dublin, ignoring the artificial east/west divide of our small city, and creating inclusive solutions. Since moving to Dublin in January 2000 I've seen our School Board improve dramatically - from a very divisive and caustic board to a competent, thoughtful and inclusive board.
• Mr. Ogden has argued that he will be a voice for students, and is uniquely able to do so as a recent high school graduate. The school board already has a student representative, Dublin High School senior Alexandra Brown, elected by her peers, to serve as the voice of the students. In my experience attending school board meetings, student representatives provide an effective voice for students (albeit in a non-voting capacity).

Mr. Ogden may, however, get a second chance at a school board seat. School Board Trustee David Haubert, currently mid-way through his current term, is running for Dublin City Council. If Mr. Haubert wins a spot on City Council, a school board seat will open up for a shorter two-year term (by appointment). In the event Mr. Haubert is elected to City Council I will support Mr. Ogden's appointment for a two-year term on the Dublin School Board - the shorter term addressing one of my key concerns. By running a campaign I believe Mr. Ogden will have earned the interim appointment.

We live in a small town - our school board members are not anonymous bureaucrats - they are our friends and neighbors. I respect each candidate for the willingness to volunteer their time to serve our community. While it is difficult to publicly choose among friends, I do so based on what I believe will be best for our students and our school board.

-James Morehead, parent of two children in the Dublin Unified School District and Chairperson - Dublin High School Site Council

Editor's Note: Submit your letters to the editor via email to autumn.johnson@patch.com