Learn more about our endorsed candidates!
School Board Candidate Endorsements!
We are excited to announce our school board candidate endorsements. PSEA is endorsing Kevin Juza from Area B, T.J. Zane from Area C, and Michelle O’Connor-Ratcliff from Area D! Our three endorsed candidates are also being endorsed by our friends at the Poway Federation of Teachers.
Kevin Juza
His professional background as a business owner and operations manager provides him with the business insight to serve on the board. His wife is a teacher at Turtleback and he sees firsthand how classified employees play a vital role in the support of our students. His twin daughters are also students at PUSD.
His priorities as a school board member will include: managing the cost of a quality education to attain a balanced budget; supporting fiscal responsibility to guarantee well-maintained schools; holding the administration accountable for delivering a quality education for all students; providing a safe environment for the social, emotional and physical needs of all students.
During our September Membership Meeting Candidate Forum, Kevin received a question regarding the implementation of Peoplesoft in 2016 and the rocky road that still is wreaking havoc. When asked about the turnover rate and what he would do, Kevin responded that “rule number one is to make sure your people are paid and paid accurately.”
For more information: https://juza4pusd.com/
Michelle O’Connor-Ratcliff
As an alumni of PUSD, daughter of two retired PUSD teachers, and parent of two PUSD students, Michelle is invested in the continued excellence of our district. With degrees from Stanford University and UC Hastings Law, she teaches Business Law at the University of San Diego and serves as a Girl Scout troop leader and Executive Board member of two PTAs. Her vision for education is, “the best for every child no matter their ability, or goals in life,” and alternative pathways are also vital.
Michelle has been a strong advocate for placing the Personnel Commission Classification Study and Recommendations on the PUSD Board of Education Agenda for review/approval.
When asked about IA’s that work three hours as a sub and three hours on a timesheet; why not make them six-hour employees? Michelle says she continues to press PUSD, the Board, Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent Greg Mizel. She will continue to ask the tough questions. She knows the Board’s job is fiscal responsibility and local control and accountability and she wants to make sure the money is allocated correctly.
Michelle’s recent voting record while serving as an incumbent on the PUSD Board of Education:
2016-17 and 2017-18: Tentative Agreement (TA) for classified employees
No settlement reached for classified units 1 and 2 (instructional assistants, administrative assistants, bus drivers, maintenance and operations…) from July 1, 2016 through Spring 2018. During School Board Meeting on June 5, 2018: Michelle voted YES!
2016-17 and 2017-18: Updated Salary Schedules to reflect approved TA for classified employees.
During the School Board Meeting on June 28, 2018: Michelle voted YES!
For more information: https://mor4pusd.wordpress.com/
T.J. Zane
T.J. Zane has three children here at PUSD. In the past three years, he has helped advance many positive changes district-wide: a new superintendent was hired; an entirely new cabinet has been assembled; and proper internal financial controls and organizational efficiencies have been implemented. He would like to see more classroom innovation and career technical education opportunities. A top priority, however, is ensuring our students physical safety, and social and emotional wellness.
A concern brought to T.J. by one of our members was that the 3-hour contracted Instructional Assistants that time sheet for an additional three hours. T.J. agrees that IA’s play a significant role in student support both mentally and physically. When asked about upper management positions, T.J. did say that the board has noticed the changes and that he had a conversation with the superintendent about excessive hiring at the top. He would be interested in seeing the numbers that the district has and the numbers that the unions have. He believes the answer is somewhere in the middle.
T.J. has been a strong advocate for placing the Personnel Commission Classification Study and Recommendations on the PUSD Board of Education Agenda for review/approval.
T.J.’s recent voting record while serving as an incumbent on the PUSD Board of Education:
2016-17 and 2017-18: Tentative Agreement (TA) for classified employees
No settlement reached for classified units 1 and 2 (instructional assistants, administrative assistants, bus drivers, maintenance and operations…) from July 1, 2016 through Spring 2018. During School Board Meeting on June 5, 2018: T.J. voted YES
2016-17 and 2017-18: Updated Salary Schedules to reflect approved TA for classified employees.
During the School Board Meeting on June 28, 2018: T.J. voted YES
For more information: www.tjzane.com
How did we decide on who to endorse and support?
Our endorsements were based on recommendations from the Political Action Committee (PAC), which were presented to the PSEA Board for ratification. We formed the committee by soliciting interest in those that donate to the RESPECT fund for political action and those that signed up at our meetings.
As a committee, we decided to consider candidates who sought PSEA’s endorsement, rather than us seeking out candidates to offer our endorsement. Of course, just the fact that someone requests our endorsement doesn’t mean they will automatically get it. Multiple incumbents reached out to the Political Action Committee for an interview.
The incumbents (O’Connor-Ratcliff, Zane) we endorsed are the ones who have made the most effort to hear our voice, our concerns, and have also been the most effective at advocating for PSEA’s priorities while on the Board. Kevin Juza is putting in the work to learn more every day and to earn the vote of community members in Area B. Our endorsed candidates were invited to our past Membership and Board meeting in September and were asked several questions regarding their viewpoints.
Where does the money to support candidates come from?
PSEA developed and maintains the RESPECT Fund, a political action and education effort, to protect and advance the interests of our members. Money contributed to the RESPECT Fund by our members is used to endorse candidates recommended by the Political Action Committee and approved by the PSEA Board of Directors. You may voluntarily contribute to the RESPECT Fund by completing a deduction authorization form and returning it to the PSEA office.
Interested in getting involved and volunteering prior to the November 6 election?
Email office.psea@gmail.com or call (858) 842-4980.
