On many levels and for many reasons, serving as a school
district trustee is a difficult and thankless job. In a district
struggling academically, like the Gilroy Unified School District,
the difficulty and underappreciation are magnified.
On many levels and for many reasons, serving as a school district trustee is a difficult and thankless job. In a district struggling academically, like the Gilroy Unified School District, the difficulty and underappreciation are magnified. Meanwhile, because the GUSD is making a concerted effort to turn things around, the workload keeps growing.
Given the circumstances, it’s especially encouraging that five excellent candidates are seeking to take on that tough job by running for four school board seats this year.
Clearly, there’s a strong interest in education and improving the academic performance in our schools. We’re grateful to all five candidates for their dedication, energy and commitment to Gilroy’s public school students.
Our four recommendations to serve on the GUSD Board of Trustees are:
Denise Apuzzo
She brings a parent’s sense of urgency to solving school problems. She’s plain spoken and intolerant of baloney, refreshing qualities in the public school world that’s so often paralyzed by political correctness and education-ese. She’s been a tireless volunteer in the district, knows its assets and flaws inside out and will keep a laser-like focus on improving academics. Her commitment through the years demonstrates that she’s willing to roll up her sleeves and go to work. Gilroy should give her the job.
Tom Bundros
In the past four years, he has proven that he’s deserving of a second term. He’s thoughtful, deliberative and, like Apuzzo, has improving academics as his top priority. His courage in sticking with an unpopular vote aimed at that goal just week’s before Election Day is amazing and rare in politics. Besides improving academics, Bundros is a strong advocate for activities like music that support the curriculum. His thorough study helps the Board put challenges in perspective and his tireless drive for improvement is one of the reasons why GUSD is moving ahead. If improving academic performance in Gilroy schools is your top priority, and you want someone willing to do the work, Bundros is your candidate.
Javier Aguirre
He is a Gilroy High School grad who has made good as a Stanford graduate. Appointed to the board 11 months ago in a split vote, he strikes us as bright, honest and deserving of a full term. Hopefully he will begin to define himself not too long after his re-election, and then voters should expect more specific answers to difficult questions about the district’s present and future. Aguirre is a work in progress. His local connections make him worth a bet on future effectiveness.
Francisco Dominguez
Though he is relatively new to the Gilroy community, he’s not new to service on school boards having served for eight years in Oxnard. He took a definite political risk in endorsing merit pay at the recent Dispatch-CMAP candidate forum, but in doing so Dominguez shows he understands the concept of accountability. He also understand that radical cultural changes are needed to improve the district’s schools. His political experience causes some to see him as a smooth politician, but we think he’s more than that. He is a knowledgeable and polished candidate who can articulate his ideas. If his actions measure up to this words, he could be an outstanding school board member who demonstrates the ability to cut through the pitfalls that the education bureaucracy presents, cuts to the core of issues and gets things accomplished. We’re hopeful that’s true.
Ardeshir Ghoreishi did not earn our endorsement, but it was a difficult decision. While perhaps unpolished, we’re impressed by his campaign, by his knowledge and by his service to the district represented by his volunteer efforts on three GUSD committees. We hope to see his name on a ballot again soon.
This Nov. 7, we urge Gilroy voters to choose Apuzzo, Bundros, Aguirre and Dominguez to serve on the school board.
