Team Unruly Recommends a "NO" vote on both incumbents

Board of Trustees Candidates for Election 20042 seats contested: Juanita Ramirez and Craig Mann

The following information is based on the various ESTA PAC meetings where the candidates were introduced and interviewed. Below are observations based on the evaluations of members of the Unruly forum, along with our recommendations.

Click on the pictures for details on incumbents

Lan Nguyen**

AH grad. came here as monolingual VN speaker. Left here headed for college and grad school. Works for social services negotiating PERFORMANCE based contracts with community agencies. On mental health commission. Seems pretty accurate in assessments of problems - and their sources - in district. First child due in October. Does not plan on higher office. Seems very honest. Seems to have strong support in Asian Community. Very respectful of teachers. Info:
http://www.lannguyenforschoolboard.org

Cecil Lawson

African American from Evergreen area. Made money during dot.com era. Police public info and computer guy. AFT member - teaches a class in Jr. College. Has kids. May or may not be headed for higher office. Articulate and well educated. Quick on his feet. Startling physical resemblance to Mann, but does not appear to be ADHD. Appears to have NAACP support. Does his own yard work and appears to have good community support. He has done some research to get public opinion and perceived needs. Info: http://www.evergreentimes.com/current/c_lawson.htm

Xavier Campos**

Director of MACSA. Has involvement with kids and schools. Grad of Overfelt. Has support from Hispanic community leaders and labor. May be the most electable candidate due to money and support. Will have access to advice that is better than that shared by the incumbent candidates. Feels he can stand up for kids and sound educational practices. This is probably a stepping stone.

Recommendations:

Team Unruly met with both Campos and Nguyen on 9/30 and we were favorably impressed. We remain neutral with respect to endorsing a specific candidate, preferring to focus on the defeat of the two incumbents. A meeting with Lawson is currently being arranged.

** Endorsed by ESTA

Khanh Tran is also a candidate for the school board, though he does not have a lot of community support. Team Unruly stumbled upon this link while doing some web research. Note the question about Superintendent Zendejas doing a good job, and take particular note of the response. The Mercury asks the poignent question: "Do you approve of Dr. Zendejas?" And Mr. Tran alludes to the fact that community members and local politicians are discussing buying out Dr. Zendejas' contract.