Trustees Pat Kernan and Jim Ott have an easy campaign ahead of them, mostly because there will be no campaign at all. Last Friday was the deadline to file for this November’s school board election, and the two incumbents were the only candidates to file. This means that Kernan and Ott will automatically assume the positions and continue through to the next term, without any election, said District Public Information Officer Myla Grasso.
“This doesn’t happen very often in any races, so I just don’t know what to make of it,” said Ott. “I’m still gathering my thoughts together.”
Kernan filed the day before the August 11 deadline and Ott filed early in July. Both had to file for canidiacy with the Alameda County Registrar of Voters Office in Oakland.
Although Ott is the incumbent, he has only served on the board for about four months. He was appointed in May, replacing former Trustee Gloria Fredette who resigned April 1.
“Since I was appointed in May, the only surprises have been positive,” Ott said. “I attended a portion of the strategic planning retreat on August 8 and was very impressed with the positive energy and spirit of the principals and administrators.”
Kernan also originally assumed the trustee position as an appointee in 1996 when Trustee Judith Markoff resigned. Since then, he was re-elected in 1997 and 2001.
“I’m still pretty passionate about education, and I love kids, so I think if you have a good thing going, why stop?” Kernan said regarding his reasons for staying on the board.
Kernan is a partner with the law firm Riegls, Campos and Kenyon based in Sacramento. Although this takes him out of the Bay Area two or three times a week, Kernan said it does not impede his ability to serve on the board.
“I’m in the area a lot and I’m serving on the Las Positas Foundation Board and the Livermore Performing Arts Board,” he said. “Also, most of my clients are in the Bay and Sunnyvale areas.”
As their new term officially starts Dec. 12, both Kernan and Ott hope to continue supporting district administrators, staff and teachers in providing Pleasanton students with a solid education. Kernan said his top issue is finding ways to attract and retain quality people at the administrative, staff and teaching levels.
“We’re doing a great job, but it’s getting harder and harder with the rising cost to live in this area,” Kernan said. “It’s tough with young teachers and staff who are trying to live in the area.”
Ott said he is most concerned with identifying funding to fulfill the needs of the Excellence Committee, a 55-member committee that recently presented the trustees with a list of 22 suggestions to improving the district.
“As a board, given that competition is continuing to increase on a global level, we need to make sure Pleasanton offers the best education opportunities for preparation for college, or if not college, then the next step in education or entering the workforce,” Ott said.
This is the first year school board elections have been held in an even-number year. Previously, they were in odd-number years, but were changed to coincide with the state and municipal elections.
