- The only meeting to be held in November (most months there are two)
- Attended as a member of public (I won’t take office until the December meeting, but I’ve been attending lately)
- Was acknowledged by board pres. and super. as future member
- Listened closely to comments from public on two issues likely to be acted on in the next few months: Armijo school mascot, and high school P.E. exemption or credit for marching band.
- Am starting to get a feel for how admin participates in meeting; often as an “information backstop” to super., to explain or address queries by board members. What a luxury – to have access to expert explanations on the spot!
- Next meeting is Tues Nov 13th, the “orientation meeting” for me at 4:30pm, held before the facilities subcommittee meets at 5:30pm.
Although it’s still the middle of the night after the election, the margin is large enough that I’m calling it a win. Official final results won’t be certified by the county elections office for several weeks, but I’m celebrating.
A big thank you to all who supported my campaign by voting for me or helping in other ways.
I was able to retrieve most of my campaign signs yesterday afternoon, but several were no longer where I put them. If you become aware of any littering the area, please message me and I will retrieve them within a day, or feel free to pick them up yourself and hold them. I’d like to be able to re-use them in four years. (They cost me about nine dollars each!)
I’ll try to use this website to report on my board member activities after I take office in December. I don’t know exactly what it will look like, but stay tuned. I will likely offer an occasional newsletter sign-up here on the website. (I’m not likely, in the short term, to start using Facebook or Twitter.)
Thanks again for any role you played, and I promise I’ll work hard to benefit our schools.
-Craig
The big day is tomorrow – I can’t wait to find out the results!
Didn’t walk as many neighborhoods during the campaign as I’d hoped, mostly because of my foot injury for most of September and October. I may walk (and distribute literature) tonight, though. After the election I’ll be collecting my signs.
The first public forum to host candidates for school board (as well as other offices) was held tonight (Monday, September 10, 2018) at St. Stephen CME Church on Union Avenue.
The majority of the time was given to candidates for city council and mayor positions in Fairfield, Suisun and Vacaville. Each speaker had three minutes to tell about themselves and address a specified issue. Afterwards a “meet and greet” time was held afterwards in the adjacent room, with light refreshments.
The evening was hosted and sponsored by five different organizations. Here is the list, per the printed program:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Tau Upsilon Omega Chapter, Ms. Lavona Hamilton, President;
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Solano Valley Alumnae Chapter, Ms. Sarah Chapman, President;
National Council of Negro Women, Fairfield-Suisun City-Vacaville Section, Ms. Jacquie Bruessard, President;
St. Stephen Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Dr. David C. Isom, Senior Pastor, Mrs. Annette J. Williams, Lay Leader;
Tri-City National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Mr. Johnicon George, President.
Other individuals officiating named on the program consisted of Mrs. Clarice Roberts, Mrs. Opal McCoy, Mrs. Doris Jones, Ms. Vanita Finney, and Mr. Kenneth Lewis, Sr.
A big thank you to all the sponsoring organizations and individuals who provided service and refreshments.
Retired teacher Craig Wilson of Fairfield announced his candidacy for school board member in August. Wilson is seeking to represent area 4, which covers much of central Fairfield, California.
“I think I can make a contribution,” said Craig, who is running against the incumbent, also with the last name Wilson. Craig retired from the Fairfield Suisun school district in 2016 and has been substitute teaching since.
One of Craig’s priorities is to restore elementary school music programs that were cut in 2010 during the last recession. “Every elementary school used to have a band, and now none have one,” he said. “It’s time to bring them back.”
Craig also said he is concerned about “students in the margins,” those for whom the system doesn’t work very well. “I want to make see what we can do to reach all students, high and low, so they don’t later wind up homeless or unable to fare well in life.”
Lastly, Craig said he wants to help tell the story of local schools’ successes, and to recognize individuals who contribute. “I’d like to help build confidence in our schools, so that more people feel like they know what’s happening and take pride in their closest school.”
The election will be held Tuesday, November 6, 2018 but absentee voting will begin a month before.
Craig Wilson, Board Member, Fairfield-Suisun School Board (personal website - not official, not speaking for district) 