The campaigns have begun for three candidates running for 2010-11 ACSA vice president: Vincent Chao, principal of Visitacion Valley Elementary School in San Francisco USD; David Gomez, superintendent of Santa Paula Union High School District; and Joel Ruiz Herrera, director of educational services for Oak Grove SD.
The campaigns are primarily visible at the region level, as receptions, parties and other events are held at region expense. Chao is in Region 5, Gomez in Region 13 and Herrera in Region 8.
There may be opportunities to present campaign materials at ACSA’s Legislative Action Day, March 15 in Sacramento. In addition, candidate statements will be published in EdCal at the end of March.
The candidates will have time at the Hilton-Arden West in Sacramento the evening of May 12 to hand out materials promoting their candidacies to members of the Delegate Assembly, who will vote the next day.
This year, a rare opportunity for public campaigning was offered at the "Honoring Our Own" event, presented by the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators in November.
Each of the candidates spoke briefly about what he intends to bring to the position.
Chao said that as an urban site administrator, he will be a strong voice for urban education.
His school, which is in a notoriously low socio-economic area, has climbed to 900 on the Academic Performance Index and won a Milken Family Foundation award. Chao is currently Region 5 vice president for legislative action.
"In these days of budget cuts, we need to think outside of the box, and I will offer that," Chao said.
Gomez, who is now serving as Region 13 representative to the state ACSA Board of Directors, said he will bring to the vice presidency a passion for mentoring and professional development opportunities. As president-elect of CALSA, Gomez is familiar with both CALSA’s and ACSA’s formal mentoring programs. He also strongly supports informal mentoring.
"I bring that opportunity to advocate for all of you," he said. "The advantage of ACSA is that all of us can be mentors."
Herrera is currently Region 8 representative to the ACSA Board. He told Honoring Our Own participants that in changing times, imagination, innovation and creativity are essential. He also supports getting people into effective mentoring programs and called ACSA "la familia," a family of choice that must grow great leaders for the future.
"Change is here," he said. "It’s not an option."
The office of vice president is seen as key in helping set the direction the association takes. It’s the first step in a two-year training on how to lead the association, as it’s the route to the ACSA presidency.
Current VP Alice Petrossian, chief academic officer for Pasadena USD, is technically on the May ballot, but running unopposed for president-elect. While it is possible for nominations from the floor of the Delegate Assembly, historically the move up from vice president to president-elect is automatic.
Involvement in ACSA demonstrates a commitment to professional growth and improvement in public education. ACSA is always seeking administrators who are interested in exciting leadership positions at the charter, region and state level.
Opportunities for involvement at the state level include serving as an elected officer, a member of the Board of Directors, or a representative to the Delegate Assembly. ACSA members serve on statewide professional committees, task forces and advisory bodies. This cadre of committed volunteers is a vital professional network for ACSA members and a valuable investment in an individual’s future.
For more information, contact Milly Martinez or Sue Periera at (800) 608-ACSA.