Candidates are vying for the two open seats on the WCCUSD board and the three open seats on the John Swett board this election…

West County school board forums scheduled

By Kimberly S. Wetzel

Those interested in getting to know the candidates for the West Contra Costa and John Swett school boards can do so at public forums scheduled in the next couple of weeks.

West Contra Costa school board incumbent and current President Karen Pfeifer, Richmond City Councilman Tony Thurmond, former Bayside Council of PTAs President Robert Studdiford and former Citizens Bond Oversight Committee Chairman Antonio Medrano are vying for two open spots on the five-person board in November’s election.

Successful candidates will face a budget deficit, as well as the district’s $1 billion-plus bond program. Other challenges include getting test scores up and lowering the dropout rate.

The public is invited to a candidates forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Manzanita Middle School, 3200 Barrett Ave., Richmond. The school district also has partnered with the League of Women Voters in sponsoring two debates in October. The first is scheduled from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 8 in the multipurpose room at Murphy Elementary School, 4350 Valley View Road, Richmond. The second is scheduled from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 22 in the multipurpose room at Riverside Elementary, 1300 Amador Road, San Pablo.

For more information about the district-sponsored forums, contact Paul Ehara, district director of communications, at 510-231-1133 or at pehara@wccusd.net.

In the John Swett district, five candidates are vying for three open seats. Incumbents Norma Clerici and Benita Shaw-Malone will compete with former board member Jim Delgadillo and Rodeo residents Jerrold Parsons and Kyle Stockholm.

Clerici is a longtime veteran, and Shaw-Malone was appointed to the board in 2007. Delgadillo served on the board for 16 years before he narrowly lost his re-election bid in 2006 to current President Bill Concannon. Parsons lost his first election bid in 2006.

The John Swett teachers union will host a candidates forum open to the public Monday beginning at 5 p.m. at the Crockett Community Center, 850 Pomona St. The public will be able to ask questions of the candidates. Measure A, the school district’s $20 million bond measure, which would be used to fix up John Swett High School, will be discussed at 6 p.m. the same evening.