Candidate for
Board Member; Soquel Union Elementary School District

My name is Sandy Erickson and I am a candidate for the Soquel Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees for two reasons.

First, this special election being held on June 3 represents the first time in the history of the District that a vacancy will be filled by an election instead of the standard practice that the remaining trustees select and appoint someone to fill the vacancy. Clearly, the remaining trustees are not interested in filling vacancies with anyone who might have differing ideas, opinions or philosophy. In fact, they tout appointments as a money saving mechanism, saving the cost of an election. Imagine, in America, a School Board with that attitude.

While it is true appointed trustees must run in the next general election, their name will appear on the ballot as an appointed-incumbent. It is almost a certainty the appointee will be elected and almost as certain that they will run unopposed. The designation incumbent is truly a powerful designation. It has the effect of deterring qualified candidates from entering the race. So powerful is "incumbent" that when the incumbent does not file for reelection, the filing date is automatically extended.

The current four trustees (three of whom were originally board appointed) are appalled that their long held practice of selecting replacements has been challenged. In fact, one of them said at a recent board meeting, speaking about the vacant position and election, "it is only one vote we can still do what we want." They see this "One" vote as having the same effect as spitting in the ocean. I firmly believe a vacancy until the next scheduled election is far superior to this self-serving appointment cycle.

Second, I also firmly believe the Trustees have an obligation to be honest with the taxpaying public regarding the use of financial resources. If class size reduction is critical and you can't do K-8, then at least reduce K-3. Make this special election count for a real change. Please vote on June 3. Let's see how many ripples we can make on the way to improving public education with an election and by insuring financial resources serve the needs of the students ahead of the faculty and staff. I will fight for this. Nothing changes unless we vote to change it.

Please visit my website at http://www.Sandra-Erickson.com