Eight vie for Martinez Unified School District seat

By DAVID SCHOLZ
Martinez Tribune

MARTINEZ, Calif. – Eight district residents have stepped up to be considered to fill the approaching vacancy on the Martinez Unified School District Board.

The group includes a mix of educators, a program analyst and laboratory technician, a labor activist, and a retiree who previously served on the school board.

“I am thrilled with the varied group of candidates that we have,’’ said Superintendent Rami Muth, who a week ago was sweating it.

As the Jan. 7 deadline for applications approached, just one completed packet had been received along with multiple email inquiries from persons expressing interest in the job. Muth attributed this situation to the fact applications were being sought right in the thick of the holiday season.

But when the dust settled, Muth was pleased to see a nice collection of individuals answer the call.

“They bring a varied background and bring a depth of knowledge,’’ she said.

Here is a snap shot of the applicants:

Ron Skrehot, who previously served for eight years on the board, expressed being able to “hit the ground running’’ if appointed to fill the seat being vacated by outgoing board member Denise Elsken. Nowadays with grandchildren attending John Muir Elementary, Skrehot has remained active with the school’s PTA.

Evelyn Centeno is currently serving as the executive director of the non-profit Inspired Learning Institute. Prior to assuming that role, she taught math and science in public and private schools in Richmond, Pittsburgh and Pinole.

Karen Clark works for the Pittsburg Unified School District as a coordinator for the district’s Pre-K through grade 12 curricular programs. Prior to this position, Clark served as the principal of Heights Elementary School from 2004-2013.

Tom A. Lewis is a laboratory technician for Shell Oil Products at the Martinez Refinery. A resident of the district for more than 36 years, he and wife Florence raised one child who graduated from Alhambra High School after attending Las Juntas Elementary and Martinez Junior High.

Alestra Flores Menendez, who taught fourth grade in the district a decade ago, is now an elementary and middle school literacy curriculum specialist for the Learning Design Group at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science. Prior to taking on this role in 2013, she worked in various educational capacities for the Molokai Art and Media Academy, the Hawaii State Department of Education, and the Kamehameha Schools between 2007 and 2013.

Sara Savacool brings 15 years of classroom teaching experience to the role being sought. She has been the lone French teacher at Antioch (California) High School, serving students in levels 1-4, since 2003. Similarly, she single-handedly led the French program at De Anza High School in Richmond for two years, from 2001-2003.
Conrad E. Dandridge, a project analyst since 2002 with the Department of Homeland Security, is the parent of a Las Juntas Elementary School student.

Jonathan Wright, active in labor organizing, representation and negotiations for nearly 10 years, acknowledged he has resided in the district for only a short time. But he also spoke of education “being in his blood’’ as his parents worked tirelessly in education for a combined 75 years.

“In my eyes they are saints and heroes – as are all of the people who find their vocation in the education of our future generations,’’ Wright said.

The next step for the eight is the interview process. This will happen at the board’s meeting on Jan. 25, when a vote on a provisional appointment will also occur. Elsken will be able to participate as a full member of the board except when it chooses her successor.

“We are looking forward to the interviews,’’ Muth said. “This is an excellent opportunity to tap someone for the board who will bring a fresh perspective and help guide the district forward.’’