EL SEGUNDO HERALD October 29, 2020 Page 9
ELECTION 2020
Final WUSD School Board Candidates Q&A
WUSD Candidate
Neil Goldman
WUSD Candidate
Jessica Daugherty
WUSD Candidate
Joanne Kaneda VOTE NOV. 3
By Duane Plank
With the implementation of distance
learning, what are your thoughts on
the best way for the District to move
forward?
Joanne Kaneda: The COVID impact to
education is unprecedented. Safely educating
our WUSD students is always a priority,
mandating the distance learning model during
the pandemic. All provisions for returning
to our classrooms must follow LA County
health regulations and be approved by WUSD
leadership.
While LA County remains in the “purple,”
most restricted tier, distance learning continues
as the safe education solution for most
students. However, with full approval by the
LA County Health Department and WUSD
leadership, WUSD is launching the first
phase of our plan to return some students
with specialized learning needs for in-person
assessments starting November 2. WUSD will
of course require health screening protocols
and other safety measures for staff, students,
and visitors.
As your WUSD Board Member, I am
proud that WUSD is ready with a Five-Stage
Reopening Plan to be implemented when
our LA County COVID tier level improves.
More info at https://kaneda4wiseburn.com/.
Neil Goldman: WUSD is in the Education
business. Like any business today, we must
contend with myriad COVID-19 constraints,
competition, new technologies, legacy practices,
employee safety/engagement, and, of
course, limited budgets. Most vitally, we
must serve our “customers” (students and
families) well.
As such, we must provide rigorous and
robust hybrid learning options moving forward.
This means bringing back in-person learning
options ASAP (especially TK-2 – through
a waiver), with investments in PPE, and
all safety precautions. We must (and are)
investing in tools (like digital screens) that
enable teaching to students in class and at
home simultaneously. We should also leverage
new technologies to drive increasingly
personalized education plans and resources
for each student. And we must continually
bolster our teachers with supports and training.
We need to simultaneously move back
to the classroom and forward to the future
with flexible, responsive practices that best
provide a “life-ready” future for our students.
Jessica Daugherty: First, I want to thank
the administration for working through the
summer in order to have an entirely new
learning system, teaching process, and content
available this fall!
Even so, distance learning is extremely
difficult for teachers, students, administrators,
and families. As a working mom with two
elementary students, I have been bumbling
my way through distance learning and I think
we can improve. Teachers have been asked
to entirely change their curriculum, process,
and expectations. We need to ensure that they
feel supported, heard, and valued. Provide
in-person supports and learning for students
with disabilities, English-language-learners,
and students with IEPs. Provides families
with flexibility that is necessary while juggling
working and schooling our children
by providing lower-elementary grades with
a weekly packet that is stapled and clear.
Provide app-based tools and subscriptions
that can be set to each individual student’s
competency.
What didn’t I ask you that you think
is important to address?
Jessica Daugherty: As an engaged community
member who has sought out opportunities
to get students involved, I wish you had asked
about my engagement with students. In the
words of current/former students:
“Jessica has given students like me a real
voice in our community and has guided us
on how to achieve real impact in our community
without limiting us just because we
are not “adults!” If I was old enough to
vote, I would definitely vote for Jessica for
the Wiseburn Board.”
– Andrew Garcia
“Jessica taught my Political Science class
at Da Vinci Extension and she changed my
perspective on what it means to be in a
diverse community and communicate effectively
about hard topics concerning politics
and diversity and inclusion. My semester
in her class was insightful and shaped my
current career goals. She is an inspiration
and works tirelessly to leave her mark in
our community.”
– Samiyah Hall, Graduate
Neil Goldman: Experience. Expertise.
Engagement.
I believe among the most powerful gifts
we can give each child is the gift of a great
education. Education answers virtually any
question; how to solve problems, understand
issues, learn to cook, fix a car, or gain new
skills. At any age, education creates more
opportunities.
As a board member since 2015, I’m proud
that Wiseburn’s distinctions include: California
Distinguished Schools, National Forum School
to Watch, Residents move here because of our
schools, Education that truly teaches our kids
to think and solve problems independently.
Together, we’ve done well, and, there’s
much more to do. My hope is to continue
to work with and for you to help realize our
collective vision for our schools truly. I’m
Dr. Neil Goldman, and I ask for one of your
two votes for re-election to the school board
in the upcoming election. VoteGoldmanWUSD.
com. Thank you!
Joanne Kaneda: I am honored to serve
as your WUSD School Board member. You
elected me to protect and advance the quality
of our WUSD education experience and I am
committed to these responsibilities.
I grew up in a bilingual, ethnic household
with strong family bonds. I was raised to be
passionate about family, education, diversity,
and community. My WUSD volunteer commitments
began as a room mom at Anza,
parent representative on the WUSD budget
committee, and grew to the heartfelt pledge
to serve as a WUSD School Board Member.
My foundation values are commitment to
family and community service, and these
same values are rooted in WUSD’s identity.
As your WUSD Board Member, I deliver the
best education for kids and community. Our
WUSD standard of excellence in education,
safety and diversity is widely known and
respected. Check my website for achievements
in WUSD during my Board tenure:
IUUQTLBOFEBXJTFCVSODPNr
Vote
r&BTZUPVTF
r$PWFSFECZ
*OTVSBODF
r)*1""
"QQSPWFE
325 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
$"--'03
"110*/5.&/5
310-648-3167
Burkley Brandlin
BBS & Swatik LLP
LAW
AT T O R N E Y S AT L AW
Lifetime El Segundo Residents
Living Trusts/Wills, Probate, Employment Law, Personal Injury
Trust and Estates Litigation, Business Litigation, Civil Litigation
310-540-6000
*AV Rated (Highest) Martindale - Hubbell / **Certified Specialist Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization
/PX
0GGFSJOH
5FMF)FBMUI0OMJOF
5IFSBQZ
4FTTJPOT
November 3