Bruce Kariya, A Father... For A Change

By Bruce Kariya

Bruce's platform

I am asking for your support for my re-election in March 2002 to the Oakland Board of Education. I need your help so that I can work to continue the progress now taking place in the Oakland Schools and work on your behalf in creating a public school system in Oakland that works for families and their children. I am the father of a 3 year-old that I will enroll in the Oakland Public Schools in 3 years. Reforming Oakland schools so that, like every child in Oakland, my son can benefit from a good public school education is the highest priority to me.

A LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR PROGRESS While there have been ups and downs in the Oakland Public Schools, I think you will agree with me that the overall direction of the District is quite promising, especially in District 2. I have been an important part of the leadership team that has brought major reforms to our schools with the following results:

• The hiring of Dennis Chaconas as our Superintendent of Schools, which began the current wave of reform in the Oakland Public Schools that is so encouraging.
• 75% of 1st Graders district-wide reading at grade level in November 2001, versus 45% in 1999; an important first step in creating long-term improvement.
• Rising test scores, with 6 of 9 schools in District 2 exceeding their state API test score growth target. The schools with the first and third greatest gains in their test scores in Oakland were in District 2 (La Escuelita and Bella Vista). Oakland High School is the only high school in Oakland to surpass its state API growth target two years in a row.
• Oakland High has more students in this year's freshman class at UC Berkeley than any other high school in the state.
• Cutting administrative costs so we could raise teachers' salaries 24% in order to attract and retain the best-qualified teachers for all of our students.

1. Hiring and retaining the best-qualified teachers and principals.
2. Help children to be ready to learn from the start through enhanced and expanded pre-school options, extended days for kindergarten and early English and literacy support for immigrant children.
3. Provide curriculum that challenges and engages all students to learn to their fullest potential.
4. Create and maintain safe, secure, clean learning environments.
5. Support families in their desire to improve the educational lives of their children.

Call me at (510) 763-2321 or email me at Bruce4SchoolBoard@Hotmail.com if you have questions or would like to volunteer to help in my campaign for re-election to represent you on the Oakland Board of Education.