A Week of Wording Rebuttals and Revisions

I recently wrote a response to an article in the opinion section of the Gilroy Dispatch, our local newspaper. The article was by the editorial board, recommending voters to keep the current school board. They described my own campaign in an unflattering manner, so I wrote them a letter, which they had the courtesy to print.

It has been interesting to see the commentary on the Dispatch website about the article, from both those supporting my candidacy, and from those opposed to it. Both sides had good points, and the concerns from those who want to keep our current board were understandable.

They addressed the concern we often have when someone new runs for office. Is this person prepared for the office? Are they competent to do a good job? Those are questions I also often ask when deciding where my vote is going.

I do believe I can do as good a job as any of the school board members, and that is not to take anything away from them. Each board member has his or her strengths, and I bring mine as well.

I also can see that in looking at my platform, which in contrast to the generalities we often see in politics, I tried to be as specific about as possible, there can be some misunderstanding. Some of the concerns expressed seemed to originate from reading into my platform what I did not intend. Wording is everything sometimes.

For example:

Instead of saying our High School graduates could be “highly skilled engineers,” through visionary vocational programs, perhaps it would have been served my point better to say, “well prepared for an entry level job in engineering (or computer science).” As a student who originally studied in this field, the mathematics involved for entry-level work is entirely possible at the High School level.

I also could have stated that one of my points, a review committee of curriculum, I intended as an intense relationship between GUSD and nearby colleges. Of course every school district addresses curriculum in one way or another. My proposal was an idea of continual review and research, capped by a yearly conference, which would present (and review) the research and results. Partnering with colleges in a more integrated and intense manner.

One of the last concerns brought up was with my point on the way the district deals with truancy. Here is just a difference of opinion. The chronically truant student may be truant for many reasons, from economic to emotional/family problems.  My idea was to implement community service as a consequence of early truancy for students that often are not headed for graduation.

How do we deal with that? First, Saturday school, where students sit and do little, also accomplishes little. Will that convince a student to go to school? Second, community service builds a sense of self-worth and community. It all depends on what you believe motivates young people to invest in themselves by willingly pursuing education.

I by no means ever meant to give the impression that I’m expert on education. I am, however, passionate about education, and am willing to look at all possibilities of how we can improve our school system. I believe in continuous research and self-assessment, and consider myself a perpetual student.

We have good candidates to choose from this upcoming election for School Board in my opinion. It is not so much a matter of any candidate not having the ability, but more about deciding which candidates you believe will focus on the areas you feel are important. That’s a good thing. If I’m elected, I look forward to working with any of the current school board members, and doing my part keep the bar high.

The following is the letter I wrote to the Dispatch:

Dear Editor,

I respect the Editorial Board’s position on who they would like to see on the Gilroy Unified School District Board, but feel it necessary to respond to the editorial based on your word choice in describing my bid for one of the seats. My decision to run was based on years of thinking about the ways in which I could be of service in my community, and a participant in my government.

As an teacher and parent, our school district’s policies and governance is one of the areas that has been of great interest to me. My thinking, priorities and values, have been fundamentally shaped by my education, therefore, serving on the school board appealed to me when I was asked to run.

The lessons I’ve learned about the nature of politics since campaigning have been many, but the first was that politicos expect you to have money. I had none. I believe in a participation in government because you want to be of service, and you believe that your ideas and effort can be effective. For me, that is what’s important, not the amount of cash you have to spend.

I have walked neighborhoods, talking to people about who I am, and how I want to serve, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. True, I don’t have the signs, nor social connections of the incumbents. True, I’m not interested in mud-slinging, and character assassination. But also true, is that I have a very unique background, and a perspective as a teacher and parent with children in the school district that I believe is an asset. I bring a much more “diverse” type of diversity than the current board is offering, coupled with the ability and skill set for the position, despite not having the money to trumpet this from our local hilltops.

All of which is to say that the word “timid,” the word used and defined as “lacking in courage and self-confidence,” is insulting not just to me, but to all of our citizens.

Everyone shares the same rights to government participation, no matter their economic condition. I feel confidant that my ideas and values both matter, and can be effective, and I somehow gathered enough “courage” to run for office. I try to present a campaign based on ideas of substance, without resorting to grandstanding and vague promises.

Has that seemed “timid”? Perhaps a better word might have been underfunded. I’ll continue to talk to constituents about the issues, and do my best to make this “timid” campaign worthy of the word “timely.”

Dom Payne, Gilroy

Some Points of My Platform

Here is some of my platform in more detail than the general outline on my platform page…

1. Redeveloping the traditional vocational education programs into training programs for the “high tech” industries. Making sure those classrooms are equipped with the current technology that is used to design, model, and create technologically innovative projects. A student would design projects on computers first, then implement the design on a real world project. This emphasis in technology would train the traditionally at risk student as a highly skilled engineer, prepared to enter the work place in the modern technological fields. The classes would also be required to emphasis the mathematics and science involved in developing projects, as well as writing skills in project reports that are modeled on the same type of reports that exist in the technological workplace. This student would also now be more likely to graduate high school, because of the increase of applied science, mathematics, and writing skills (project papers), that would be part of the enhanced vocational ed programs, and the revealed legitimacy inherent in these programs as fields of study. This creates a more educated base of community citizens, more economic prosperity in the overall community, translating in a community that is more likely to invest in education in the long term, to continue the economic and educational trend established as a base. In order to offset budget concerns, revenue dollars could be captured by obtaining the same type of government funding that the private universities usually obtain, by traditionally offering these same type of programs to the same base of post high school individual.
2. Partnering with local and nearby colleges, in order to structure our high schools’ curriculum and classes to better reflect the academic standard maintained in the college classroom. One aspect of this effort would be a review committee, consisting of a GUSD Board Member, high school educators, and parents, that would examine high school curriculum to ensure that they achieve this standard. The committee would act as liaisons to the local and nearby colleges for GUSD’s curriculum research, engage in research of the nearby college curriculum, and propose measures to the Gilroy Unified School District to achieve a similar standard of curriculum in our high schools. The partnership would include a yearly conference, hosted by the review committee and paid for by a grant, inviting the GUSD Board of Education, college representatives, and parents, to discuss and present information about the research and results achieved by the committee.
3. Reviewing the concept of punitive consequences for truancy infractions. Instead of putting students in Saturday school for truancy, make them participate in community service on some educational or cultural project in the community. The emphasis should be on the positive aspects of community involvement, in order to foster a more community centered consciousness for the student. Involvement leads to caring about the societal structure that we are all a part of, which in turn leads to a desire to be a more productive part of that society. If a student continues to be truant, before the point they are labeled a “habitual truant”, instead of requiring the parents to be fined, the option is given to spend a day in the student’s classroom(s) as a teaching aide. This changes the burden put on the parent, who is often times unable to effectively monitor their child when they are at work or home and their child is in school, to a burden of time instead of money, which is often preferable to lower income families, and encourages parent involvement in the student’s education.

My Passion for Education

Hi everyone,

This is Dom Payne. Thank you for reading my blog. The following is biographical information, along with how I developed my interest and commitment to education.

Beginning at Our Great Local College

I’m an Instructor at Gavilan College, who developed a passion for education as a former student of that campus. During my time as a Gavilan student, I served as the Associated Student Body President of the college, and during that time I worked on many issues, such as; voter registration drives, health fairs,  cultural and ethnic awareness events, fund-raising, and representing student interests to college faculty and staff. I started various clubs, such as the Men’s Academic Network Organization (MANO), a group started to address the low retention rate of male and underprivileged students in college, and where I conducted workshops on college planning and success, created and orchestrated fundraisers, and offered academic and personal development support services. I also started the Literary Club, in order to encourage the appreciation and writing of literature,  and the Chess Club. I was also a member of the honor society, Rho Alpha Mu.

On To The University

After graduating Gavilan with honors, I transferred to UC Santa Cruz, winning the Karl S. Pister Award, a $20,000 dollar scholarship given by the Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Awards Program, that “was established in 1993 by former chancellor Karl S. Pister to increase opportunities for talented community college students who want to transfer to UCSC. The scholarships recognize students who have overcome adverse socioeconomic circumstances, who have a demonstrated commitment to assisting and improving the lives of others, and who might not otherwise be able to attend UCSC for financial reasons. Candidates are nominated by the presidents of each of the 13 regional community colleges. The nominations are reviewed by the Leadership Opportunity Awards Screening Committee, and one student from each college will be selected to receive the $20,000 award ($10,000 awarded for two years).” (ucsc.edu) I received my B.A. at UC Santa Cruz, and during my student work there I had some of my first opportunities at conducting classes for my senior project. My educational experience there fostered a desire to teach, which led me to going back to Gavilan college as a college instructor.

Great Educators and Programs Make The Difference

As a former underprivileged student, I know what it is to enter higher education without a solid preparation, and how great teachers and great academic programs can make the difference. My journey through education changed my life, who I am, and how I see the world. Yet, it wasn’t an easy path. I’m the first person in my family to go to college, and my socioeconomic background was against me when I started out. I was a returning student to high school, and it was the experience of having an incredible teacher that got me from Adult high school to college. At Gavilan, I again found incredible teachers, that encouraged, inspired, and motivated me to continue to pursue my goals. Not only the teachers, but the programs like EOPS (extended opportunity programs and services), TRiO, and all of their incredible staff and counselors were key to my success.  I would not have succeeded, become an honor student, or student body president working closely with college faculty and staff and eventually transferring to a four-year university, without all of their help. They helped instill in me a passion for education, by demonstrating that same passion and acknowledgment on the importance of education. My passion for education I carry with me today as a lasting imprint of great teachers and academic programs, and it is something I try to share with my students, friends, and family, and why I would like the opportunity to help shape the policies and procedures of the schools system in our school district.

What’s At Stake

I’m also a father with children in the school district, and so I have a vested interest in the school district policies and procedures. We’ve had some success in some of our schools that we can be proud of, but we must continue to think creatively and passionately, to take any successes and understand how to implement them on a district wide basis. Sadly, we’ve also had some of our schools lag behind, and we must bring a district wide approach to our academic expectations to make sure this doesn’t happen. I’m committed to improving the GUSD academic policies and programs, not just for my own children, but for all young people in our community. Through my experiences with my children and working with 4th grade students in the “Power School” after school program, I know the issues that our students are faced with. Also in serving the Gilroy community as an instructor of ESL, Computer Science, and Personal and Career development, at classes in the community in locations such as; South Valley Jr. High, to Eliot, to Village Green, and the college campus, I have real world experience teaching inside the classroom.

Community Is What Counts

My plans for what I would like to bring to our school district are what my platform is all about. You can see my platform outlined on our page at this site. Me and my supporters’ motto is “tomorrow’s education today”, and what we’re saying is that we need to move forward with an inclusive, technological, and passionate vision of education for our community. I believe in long term policies, not long term politics, and I want my campaign to be about the issues, and community based. If you would like to join me in helping ensure our children’s future, read my platform, and you can email me for details, questions, or even suggestions, because it takes the community to take on the issues, yet still take care of each other.

Thanks,

Dom Payne

(ucsc.edu) – http://honors.ucsc.edu/pister.html

http://currents.ucsc.edu/04-05/05-23/awards-pister.asp

August Is On Us (What we can do)

Okay, the preliminaries are over, and as July passed, so did our seeming anonymity.  We’ve been getting calls asking us questions on who we are, basically. As far as I know, we haven’t really advertised our campaign, but word gets around…So here comes August, and the focus for us is still preparation, just at an incredibly increased pace, and with more exposure. Our work is cut out for us, but with proper organization, a combined effort, and the help and support of friends; we’re going to be in good shape for our campaign kick off and we’ll hit the ground running.

Along with the preparation in August will be the continued involvement of the community.  One of the key elements of our campaign is reflection of the common will, and so as we present our platform to the public, we also continue to research questions that are of importance. If you’re a Gilroy resident, and there is something you would like to see changed or improved in our school district (GUSD), share it with us. Even if you don’t live in Gilroy, but still have an idea about improving the policies and/or procedures of public education, we welcome your input. All ideas are helpful and appreciated, so please leave a comment!

Thanks,

Dom Payne

Outside the classroom.

Excerpts From The 1st Email

The following are excerpts from the first email I sent out to friends and family, preparing them for what I was about to attempt. I remember thinking after I sent it, “What did I just do?” and “What must they be thinking?” But everyone was incredibly supportive of my decision.

Dear friends and family,

Each of you has been, and are, a friend and supporter to me, and have inspired me in various ways by your own efforts to effect positive change in the world. I have tried to use the examples I’ve learned from you, and also take up that cause. Part of my decision to work in education has been because of this, and I been working on other ways to address those issues that I believe are important. As Bob Dylan sang, “the times (they) are a changin”; and at least they should. We’ve seen historic events happening in the social-political realm; some good, some bad, but what has changed in the wider sphere of world events, may or may not impact us in our everyday lives.

So, what is impacting you? And what would you like to do about it? In order to deal with those questions, one answer comes to mind; whatever is impacting an individual, and whatever action is necessary, can best be resolved with the help of the community who share the same issues[…

…]For myself, as a father of five children, and a firm proponent of education as a life changing experience, education is a huge issue. From the fact that our local students are struggling academically, to how the school district’s policies are decided, we’re not doing a good enough job. Though I haven’t declared it officially, I’ve decided to run for Board of Education[…

…]To that end I invite you to join me[…]for an exploratory meeting on participating in the approaching elections. There will be food, and a lot of good people, who, if working together, can take on anything by taking care of each other.

As Bob Dylan sang, “the times (they) are a changin”; or at least they should.

Your friend,

Domingo “Dom” Payne

Dom Payne for School Board; GUSD

I’m an Instructor at Gavilan College, who developed a passion for education as a former student there, and it’s student body President. Before I graduated from UC Santa Cruz, my educational experience there fostered a desire to teach. As an underprivileged student, I know what it is to enter higher education without a solid preparation, and how great teachers and great academic programs can make the difference.

As a father with children in the school district, I’m committed to improving the GUSD academic policies and programs, not just for my own children, but for all young people in our community.

“Join me in ensuring our children’s future, and that they get the educational opportunities that they deserve.”

A Grind is Just a State of Mind

We’ve had a busy week. We really need volunteers at this point, in order to get more things done faster. We managed to accomplish a lot, but we’re not where we need to be. Our campaign opened its bank account, then deposited our first contribution. Which was nice, but we need to get out our contribution cards and we’re behind on that. We also solidified some of our support, received a few more contributions, and finalized our sign and logo designs. Good work there, but we haven’t got useful pictures yet for our PR packages that need to be finished this week. -Time, time, time, is not on our side. Not it’s not.- So we need more done, but I can see the work is already taking a toll on some of our people. And honestly, by Sunday, I was feeling it too. So Sunday was an off day basically, and it sort of happened by accident. I think we all needed it. Tomorrow I’m back at work starting a new class, and then after that it’s, well, back to work on the campaign. A little R and R, and away we go!

What This Is (or May Be)

Hi everyone! This is Dom Payne, and thank you for visiting this blog, where we will be tracking our effort to run a grassroots campaign in Gilroy, CA, for the office of Board Member, Gilroy Unified School District. We have no money, no connections, and are not supposed to be able to pull it off, but we believe it can be done with the support of the community. By we, I mean the friends, supporters, and community that will be the heart of this campaign. I’m the candidate, and the reasons why I’m running stem from a decision to become an active participant, in a government that seems to serve the interests of the community less and less. Being an educator myself, with children in my school district, I have a perspective on our school district policies that I think is both practical and relative, so it seems like the right way to start participating in our government. Also, my views may add a fresh approach to some of our current problems. Well, it will be an interesting, unique, and eventful ride, and I look forward to hearing from anyone who follows this. If anyone would like details on my platform you can email, VoteDomPayne@gmail.com. You can also add yourself to our facebook page, “Dom Payne for Board of Education”, or follow us on Twitter @VoteDomPayne. Wish us luck!

Welcome!

Vote Dom Payne!