Pleasanton was ranked 4th in the Nation because of our community, local businesses and our schools. Bowser and Laursen have done well to continue the tradition of excellence in our schools. Please remember to vote next Tuesday. It's too late to mail in your absentee ballot but you can drop it off at your polling place.

I agree with you "Our Schools Are Great!" We are lucky to have so many interested and involved citizens in this community. I appreciate Wright and Miller for being committed to excellent schools, but I will be voting for experience: Bowser and Laursen. I hope all parties involved continue to be a part of the process even after the election.

I agree our community is good but I feel things can get better. Pretending problems don't exist will never effect change.

I thank Laursen and Bowser for their 4 years of service, but it's my sincere wish we have fresh new thinking on board.

I have already voted Wright and Miller.

Our schools are great… for now. And that is still due in large part to the quality of teacher we have been able to attract and retain over the past several decades. Bowser and Laursen in the past four years have done nothing to move the needle in the positive direction. Watch the calendar meeting. Watch how Bowser wants to discuss the 5 different options that were sent out to the public, and then watch and listen when he is told by the superintendent that they will only be able to vote on 2. The Board was either complicit in the deception, or ignorant of the deception. Either way they need to be replaced...

Wright and miller have my vote. Out with the old, in with the new!

I will be voting for Miller and Wright. It's mind boggling that Laursen still maintains that the calendar change addresses students' summer learning loss with a one week shorter summer. Too many bad decisions over the last year and decisions based on personal opinion rather than hard facts and data. I want Board members that are neutral and represent all of the community so I'll be voting for change.

I sure as heck do not want four more years of the same arrogant experience from the School Board. I want a board that is in it for the children and listens to the community which consists of tax paying parents that bring their kids to school prepared to learn. It is the parents, their caring and involvement that makes this district great. Wright and Miller have two more from this household.

Yes Pleasanton is a wonderful place, and most of the teachers are doing a good job. However the district is hemorrhaging huge dollars because they're not able to conduct themselves with the ability to make proper decisions on certain issues. It's no doubt the union runs the school, not the district. Wright and Miller have the backbone to not be persuaded union pressure. They want to put kids first, and that's who you should vote for

2 more votes for Mark Miller and Paige Wright. As an involved family of PUSD we are concerned with both the leadership and/or following that the two incumbents displayed. The divisive place we are operating from right now is not an optimum environment where students, families, teachers and administration can thrive. The events over the 18 months (several principal issues, administrators leaving, calendar change, lawsuits, payouts, election incidences) does not represent the community we chose to raise our family. Time for a change, Miller and Wright for school board!

I already voted for 2 people for council - and you would have to break my arm to make me vote for Arne Olson! He was so rude to our neighborhood when issues came before the Planning Department.

PLEASE find a better candidate - ANY one else. 4 years of this guy would be horrible for Pleasanton.

Our schools are outstanding due to our current leadership at the Board and at the district levels. There's always room for improvement in any organization, but the vision of success for all students needs to be maintained. We have come such a long way in an era of overwhelming challenges - the rapid influx of technology, Common Core standards implementation, concerns over student safety in a culture of violence.

On Tuesday, along with all parents and teachers I have spoken to, I will vote Laursen and Bowser to ensure continued success for PUSD!

HI,
Well I would like to know which people running for office are concerned about the traffic in Pleasanton. As I sat in line this morning for over 30 mins to get on 680 from Vineyard and First street. The more we build the more traffic there will be. Is anyone doing anything about it? Is it even on their radar?? I won't even bring up adding a lane on 680 north....

I absolutely do not care who wins as they are all arrogant pigs. The volume of mail (at hugely discounted rates) and the amount of garbage left on my porch is sinful.

I wish we could wipe the slate and start over -- with none of the current candidates allowed to run.

T’was the night before elections,
And all thru' the town,
Tempers were flaring
Emotions ran up and down.

I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap,
Had shut off the TV,
tired of political crap.


When all of a sudden,
There arose such a noise,
I peered out my window,
Saw Obama and his boys

They had come for my wallet,
They wanted my pay
To hand out to others
Who had not worked a day!


He snatched up my money,
And quick as a wink,
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink.

He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart.
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!

On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, on Pelosi'
He screamed at the pairs!

They took off for his cause,
And as they flew out of sight,
I heard him laugh at a nation
Who wouldn't stand up and fight!
So I leave you to think
On this one final note...

IF YOU DON'T WANT SOCIALISM,
GET OUT AND VOTE !!!

This board put Parvin in her position. She has failed miserably so they have failed miserably. Hold them and her accountable.

I voted for wright and miller. We need board members that will hold the administration accountable.

PLEASE go watch the Community Comment section of the last School Board meeting. You can click right to that section at this link Web Link by clicking "Community". There were 3 speakers. NONE from Pleasanton, two were NAACP reps from Fremont/Hayward and they came on a mission. To tell us that our Superintendent (whose name they couldn't pronounce!) was doing a fantastic job, and that the NAACP was watching the negative blogs. They intimidated, and threatened that they are keeping their eyes on us. We better behave, citizens of Pleasanton! Watch the video - see for yourself.

As the 3 speakers walked out, our Teacher's Union rep waved and said "Thanks for coming!", to which they replied "Your Welcome". The superintendent's husband walked the 3 out-of-area enforcers to their cars, and gave big hugs and thanks. I wonder who gave them the invite?

Contrary to the administration's belief, community opposition to their leadership is not racism. It is an objection to incompetence. There needs to be accountability, and Laursen and Bowser are just nodding bobble heads. We are spending MILLIONS on lawsuits, and at the core of each is a totally dysfunctional board and administration.

It is time to add two fresh faces to the school board, who will represent the will of the people. Wright and Miller have my vote.

How in the world were those people who spoke intimidating or threatening? You found them threatening?? Honestly, the extreme stuff I read on here has me voting for Laursen and Bowser. I hope they know that normal people can see through all the BS.

I nearly didn't comment on the NAACP appearance at the last Board meeting because it's so ridiculous. So the Hayward/Fremont branch believes that the community is racist for sharing their opinion that the Superintendent is doing a poor job? Oh come on! Whoever drummed up this visit (APT?) must be desperate and Ahmadi needs new PR advice.

Threatening - "Honestly, the extreme stuff I read on here has me voting for Laursen and Bowser" What a poor reason to vote for your candidates of choice!

Desperate people do desperate things. Look what happened to an individual that got caught vandalizing campaign signs that didn't want Wright and Miller to win. Ya think the NAACP will be called out to speak against that?

@me:
Please explain "what happen to an individual that got caught vandalizing campaign signs that didn't want Wright and Miller to win".

Michael Austin - see 'Removed Town Square Threads'

I thought it was illegal to remove signs. Is this because it's public property? Wasn't going to post here but guess I will now since signs can come down?

Petty theft. Trespassing. Possession of stolen property
Examples of past charges for such acts

I don't know where you got your info Gina but it's vandalism. And the person who committed the act knows that it was so do the police.

Every other place in America it's big news when someone is caught vandalizing election signs, (especially someone who is in the position the person is who did the act here) , except for Pleasanton. Odd.

Web Link

Theft/vandalism of campaign signs. This is typically a local issue and is not mentioned in the Elections Code. Some cities have specific ordinances that prohibit campaign sign theft/vandalism -- check with your local code enforcement department. Otherwise, sign theft/vandalism is treated as any other minor property crime and can be reported to your local police or sheriff's office.

The information came straight from the police department and the report.
We asked the same questions you are asking. Vandalism is the destruction of something; these signs were not vandalized. The signs where removed from one location and placed somewhere else (as opposed to be taken), so technically it's not petty theft either. The reason I specifically said that this is not a crime in Pleasanton is because, while it might be illegal in other places, removing / moving a campaign sign is not a crime in Pleasanton.

@Gina : "The signs where removed from one location and placed somewhere else, so technically it's not petty theft either."

Maybe you want to reword that? Isn't moving another person's property without permission from one location to another the very definition of theft?

Regardless of what the crime/charges are, what a low class move!

The person responsible for this is a respected member of the community. Gina, Please do what you can to report the facts. The community NEEDS to know. We are all so sick of the drama.

Get it right, Pleasanton! Don't make a mistake by voting for Wright and Miller -- they are not qualified to handle the educational shifts our schools deserve. We are so blessed to have Bowser and Laursen on our Board, making decisions that move our district in a positive direction. In the last few years, I have been thrilled to see our schools become the object of envy among neighboring districts. Our superintendent, along with the leadership of Bowser and Laursen, have made note-worthy progress! I am proud to live in an area where our parents and families recognize the good thing we have going right now -- Bowser and Laursen!

Gina,

Dublin seems to be doing a lot better than Pleasanton. Their class sizes are smaller and their test scores are improving rapidly.

@BobB Then go to Dublin.

I almost died laughing when I read "Our superintendent, along with the leadership of Bowser and Laursen, have made note-worthy progress! " That had to have been written by Bowser, Laursen or the superintendent. I have yet to meet somebody face to face who feels that would be an accurate statement.

Please vote Tuesday for Wright and Miller. The school system is too important to let the same people continue to mess it up.

Sign Stealing? Isn't that the equivalent of shaking down lunch money? Can you say Bully?

Wright and Miller have my vote. Time for change!

@Bobbee,

Easier said then done. While it is fairly easy to sell my Pleasanton house, it is not see easy to buy the equivalent in Dublin.

So the word on the "street" is that the person caught stealing signs is either a teacher or an administrator (i've heard both). Does anyone know the identity? It would not surprise me either way, although I truly believe the teachers and principals/staff would be far better off with a major shakeup of the administration. The district has suffered for a handful of years, with plummeting morale and declining community trust. The superintendent's plan to invite NAACP friends from her former district to support her will backfire. It is not about racism, it's about competence.

Voters need to take back their education system, and vote in trustees who will listen. Bowser and Laursen stand by the "Change is Hard" mantra, which is another way of saying "once i get my way you'll get used to it". They are absolutely right. Even sane and intelligent individuals reach a point where they tolerate insanity if exposed to it long enough. That is why we must act now to replace the Ahmadi / Cazares / Bowser / Laursen block vote with two trustees who will listen to the voter. Paige Wright and Mark Miller understand that a Parent's opinion matters. It's tough to believe, but the teacher's union rep has vocalized disgust with this concept. What an upside-down place PUSD has become! Get up, go vote, and change our future for the better! Let's take back our schools!

To Marie,

If you want leaders who will address our REAL problems vote for George Bowen and Matt Morrison! Our current council majority is too focused on taking directions from the Developers and the Chamber Bosses and handing them the Keys to our City!

Our Council majority has turned into staff employees for the Developers and the Chamber of Commerce and don't really care if YOU have traffic issues!

Lobbyists and the Chamber are making BIG moves RIGHT NOW to make our traffic worse and our schools even more over-crowded.

Big PAC (Corporations are people my friend)have given money to Mayor Thorne, Arne Olson and Kathy Narum!

We need everyone to pay more attention to what is going on and VOTE!

Keep an eye on the City Council meetings and it becomes VERY OBVIOUS that the majority wants to Build Baby Build!

Give Pleasanton back to The People!

Bowen, Morrison, Wright and Miller are fighting the fight against the BIG MONEY SPECIAL INTERESTS!

It is David Vs. Goliath and we are trying to make VOTES beat out the big money donors!

I was sign waving with the Bowen and Wright campaigns and the OVER-WHELMING MAJORITY of the responders were very supportive!

Let's take this city back people!!!