Opinion: Lenz, Burton for Old Adobe School Board

The Argus-Courier recommends the election of Jon Lenz and Heather Burton to the Old Adobe Union School District board of trustees.|

For the first time in many years, there is a contested election for the Old Adobe Union School District board of trustees which, with an annual budget of $19 million, serves more than 1,800 students at five east side elementary schools, four of which are public charter schools.

Two of the incumbents, Marlene Abel and Jennifer Cusimano, are stepping down, and will be taking with them an enormous amount of institutional knowledge that will be very difficult to replace. The new trustees who are elected will need to get up to speed quickly on a host of issues, including how to spend the remaining proceeds from a $26 million bond measure approved by voters in 2012.

Seeking to replace the departing incumbents are three newcomers: Jon Lenz, an assistant superintendent for special education at the Marin County Office of Education; Heather Burton, a system analyst for the County of Marin’s finance department; and Marilyn Cohoe, a retired telecommunications specialist and volunteer at Old Adobe Elementary School.

We interviewed all three candidates, and feel that Lenz and Burton would make ideal board trustees.

Lenz has a deep background in school administration, and has his finger on the pulse of the education world. In his career, he has dealt with teachers, school boards and budgets, and he speaks the language of education. He is a dissertation away from his Ph.D. in education leadership. A father of four children, three of whom are students in the district, he is well vested in the success of the Old Adobe School District.

He has attended school board meetings and is very knowledgeable about the district and its challenges.

Lenz’ stated goals if elected to the board include increasing student achievement, creating a more inclusive environment in the district, providing music, art and language learning, and improving facilities with district bond funds.

Burton, having worked in a county finance department, brings valuable experience in public sector budgeting that would be an important asset. She has pledged to use that expertise to ensure that all public funds are well spent to get the maximum benefit in educating students.

A mother of two district students, she has served on the Parent Teacher Association board at La Tercera Elementary School, first as secretary and currently as membership secretary. She has also worked with District Superintendent Jason Yamashiro to set up a social media network at La Tercera School.

Her goals, if elected, include increasing inclusiveness by encouraging more Latino parents to participate in school leadership roles and district decision-making.

The Argus-Courier recommends the election of Jon Lenz and Heather Burton to the Old Adobe Union School District board of trustees.

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