From Wednesday, October 7 at noon through Friday, October 9 at 3:30 p.m., you may vote via ballot box located at the BHS Front Desk (Admin building corner of Allston Way and Milvia). An online ballot is also being sent via email to current parent/guardians.
You must be a parent or guardian of a current BHS student to vote.
Here are the candidate statements for the Berkeley School Excellence Project (BSEP) and School Site Council (SSC):
PDF Version of Candidate Statements
School Site Council (SSC)
This committee works with the Principal to review Berkeley High’s educational programs and student achievement data, and supports the development and updating of the school-wide Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA), which is part of the accreditation process at the high school. The SSC also approves the School Safety Plan and the BSEP Site Discretionary Plan Budget. The SSC is composed of 8 staff, 4 students, and 4 parents/guardians, as well as alternates, and meets on Tuesday afternoons from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, once monthly in fall, sometimes twice a month in spring.
The first SSC Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday October 20th, 4:00 – 6:00 PM. Meetings are open to the public and agendas include public comment. This committee also appoints members of the Safety Committee. If interested in the Safety Committee, please come to the October 20th SSC Meeting.
SSC CANDIDATES
Lea Baechler-Brabo (BIHS)
After eleven years serving on two Berkeley elementary School Governance Council committees, and almost as many as a member of the district-wide BSEP Planning & Oversight Committee, I am excited about the opportunity to serve the Berkeley High community. As an SSC member, I would work to promote a positive school culture, as well as high academic goals for all students. With new school leadership, our strong and diverse faculty and staff, and increasing local and state revenue for public schools, I believe Berkeley High is poised to make meaningful reforms that will improve the educational experience for all students. As a member, I would work to make the BHS School Site Council an effective body that represents the diverse voices of our school community. This collaborative group of faculty, staff, school leaders, students, and parents can work together to generate community agreement, commitment and momentum behind our most important reform efforts. I believe high-quality professional learning for teachers and staff is one of the most important investments we can make to strengthen each student’s learning experience. I am also passionate about expanding services and support programs that have a demonstrated ability to improve outcomes for our highest need students.
Shelly D Ball (BIHS)
I have spent the past 30 years working in schools — in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, and Albany. After four years of classroom teaching, I returned to graduate school to study social work and public health, with a focus on adolescents and school-based services. I worked for eight years as Health Education Coordinator at the Berkeley High School Health Center, and then for the past 10 years as Mental Health Coordinator at Albany High School. My focus has been on working with schools, families, and students to meet the needs of the whole child in order to increase academic and wellness outcomes, particularly for our highest need students.
I am excited about the prospect of joining the School Site Council because I care deeply about our school and our community (and I love teenagers!). As a past staff member and current BHS parent (for the third time around), I feel lucky to be able to relate to the varying perspectives of different stakeholders. I enjoy working collaboratively, striving to find common ground in decision-making. I believe in school-wide interventions that simultaneously reduce harmful stressors while increasing meaningful academic exploration and growth, and I look forward to working towards these goals.
Timothy Carter (BIHS)
I have served on the BSEP last year, as well as a member of the PAC for the LCAP. Both of these committees play a role in how funds , for the High School, are allocated. I look forward to bringing that experience to the SSC this year. I am a parent of an 11th grader here at BHS. I am very interested in making sure that the decisions made by the SSC are made by a diverse group of parents.
Elena Condes (CAS)
I am a parent of a CAS Sophomore and served on the School Site Committee last year. I am interested in serving again this year and am looking for your support. I believe in public education and I feel compelled to serve and support its structure. Over the years, I have participated on school, local and professional boards/committees and have appreciated working with other members to promote positive change.
I would like to use my experience to build on continued efforts to make Berkeley High a place where all students receive the education they need to have a successful future. One area of focus that I am interested in bringing to the Committee is a full implementation of a restorative justice program, including conflict resolution training for staff and students. Thank you for your consideration. Vote for Elena!
Marcus Jamal Fields (BIHS)
As the parent of a BH sophomore and someone with considerable experience in education, as a teacher, principal and associate superintendent I feel I can continue to contribute as a member of the Berkeley High School Site Council. I hold a Masters degree in Education from UC Berkeley and a Doctoral degree in Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and have served as a site administrator for six California schools serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade. I believe that my education, experience and deep commitment to BHS success makes me an outstanding candidate for the BHS site council. I will represent the students and families as best I can and will make all decisions with the student’s best interests at heart. Thank you for your support!
Kolondra Harvey (AMPS)
Besides being a parent, for the past two decades I have worked professionally as an advocate for low-income students at underserved high schools through the Bay Area. In my capacity as an high school college advisor (and now Director) for the UCB Pre-College TRIO Program, I have worked closely with literally hundreds of middle school and high school students, providing them with the academic support they needed to reach their academic goals. Roughly, I have made a career out of helping young people achieve their dreams. I am the proud parent of two multi-racial children. As such, I have a vested interest in seeing that equitable and fair support is offered to the often-ignored scholars in Berkeley High’s very diverse student population. During my time working at UCB Pre-College TRIO Programs, I have had the pleasure of working closely with many students & families,teachers and administration at BHS. I believe that my voice and experience can help better support the Principal’s goals and objectives at BHS.
Babalwa Kwanele (AMPS)
Ms. Kwanele’s professional and paraprofessional career has been well spent serving hundreds of culturally diverse children, adolescents, and families, with their mental health and academic needs over 26 years. She currently works for a community mental health clinic in Berkeley for the past 15 years providing level 1 counseling in clinic and school based settings. She has served for 2 years as SGC Co-President at Malcolm X School, and currently serving as a City of Berkeley Community Health Commissioner since 2011; chair of the Health Equity Subcommittee.
Rani Marx (AC)
I have two sons in AC, a freshman and a junior. My sons have attended the Berkeley public schools since kindergarten. I served last year on the BHS SSC, have been a PTA member for twelve years,and served on the Willard SGC for three years (two as chair), I have written many grants that were awarded and mobilized parent volunteers for the school cooking and gardening program. I also worked to improve safety for students walking and cycling to school.
I believe that one of the keys to improving BHS is the ability for students, families, and staff to be heard. For the past two years, I have been advocating for annual anonymous student, family, and staff surveys with results that are shared with all stakeholders. At Willard, I designed and analyzed the family survey for three years and introduced an anonymous student survey that was administered for two years; both provided information that helped us implement key school improvements. It is time to do the same at BHS. Less formal mechanisms to voice concerns and experience a timely and respectful response are also needed; I have suggested several methods to BHS administration.
I know I can apply my experience to make a difference on the BHS School Site Council and seek your vote so that I can continue to carry out this important work.
Elisa Salasin (BIHS)
I have been involved in education for the past 25 years, both as a public school teacher, and as a teacher educator. I currently direct a multiple-subject credential program at UC Berkeley, and also work with the California Chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education, an organization dedicated to creating socially just and equitable learning communities in California schools and classrooms. My daughter has just started 9th grade at Berkeley High, and I’m excited to help BHS reach its potential for ALL students.
Laura Savage (AC)
As a fellow educator in neighboring school district, I understand the importance of the SSC. My interest in this group is rooted in supporting all students at BHS with the use of achievement data to inform decisions about what programs are serving students well and which of those programs are equitable.
I have an immense interest in students receiving Special Education Services, as well as students who are traditionally marginalized. I will be an informed parent advocating to make BHS reach its highest potential in continuing to serve ALL students.
Keturah Taylor (AC)
There is much data regarding the achievement of students and the gap between the performance of African-American students and students who are not African-American. Research shows parent participation and presence at their child’s school greatly improves a child’s ability to succeed academically. Research also shows a significant gap between African-American parental activity in their child’s schools and parents who are not African American. It is my intention to be the change I’d like to see by getting involved and helping to bridge these gaps by helping African American parents feel connected enough to their child’s school that they are motivated show up.
Scott Taylor (AC)
I know this is one of the best ways I can support my two children who are both BUSD students.
Lisa Olson Vega (BIHS)
Our family moved to Berkeley from the North Bay a little over one year ago in order to provide our teenagers with a diverse, intellectually stimulating and challenging educational environment. We couldn’t be happier with our decision! I would like to give back to our community by serving on Berkeley High School’s SSC. I am a clinical psychologist with an emphasis in child and adolescent psychology, and am currently an adjunct faculty member at Alliant International University in San Francisco. I am eager to connect with the wider BHS community as our school continues seeking ways to improve upon its rich history of excellence in education. Thank you for considering my candidacy for this important position.
Berkeley High BSEP Site Funds Committee
This committee develops a budget for the site discretionary funds that come from the local Berkeley Schools Excellence Program (BSEP), which is about $650,000 each year. The committee reviews the programs that currently receive funding and considers proposals for funding new programs that support student achievement and school goals. The BSEP Site Committee is composed of 5 staff, 5 students, and 5 parents/guardians or community members, meets on Monday afternoons from 4:30 – 6:30 pm, once monthly and sometimes twice a month in the spring.
The first BSEP Committee Meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 26th, 4:30 – 6:30pm. Meetings are open to the public, and the agenda includes public comment. This committee also appoints four representatives to the District BSEP Planning and Oversight (P&O) Committee. Members of the P&O Committee may be BHS parents/guardians or Berkeley residents and may serve on the BSEP Site Committee or only serve on the P&O. If interested in the P&O, please come to the Oct 26th committee to ask to be appointed.
BSEP Site Funds Committee CANDIDATES
Milan Drake (AC)
Milan Drake is the father of three children – one Oakland School of the Arts graduate, a Berkeley High School graduate and a current freshmen in the Academic Choice learning community. Mr. Drake has served on the Fruitvale Elementary School Site Council and relishes the opportunity to serve on the Berkeley High BSEP Site Funds Committee. With fifteen years of experience working with diverse programs in both the Oakland and Berkeley Unified School Districts that serve the social needs of young people and their families, Mr. Drake is an ideal candidate. He is a husband of 15 years, Berkeley raised and currently serves as the Coding Corps Director for the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency. There he designs curriculum, manages several programs and connects young people to high-quality technology jobs opportunities with apprentice opportunities.
Stephane Nanga Guepnang (AC)
My name is Stephane Nanga and I have a 10th grade daughter at Berkeley High School. I would like to serve on the BHS BSEP Site Committee to ensure that our children receive the most effective resources, programs, and guidance to excel on their campus. Over the past two years, I have served on Board of local and international education non-profits. I am committed to work with other parents, students and school official to make Berkeley High a safe and supportive learning environment for all our children.
Wim-Kees van Hout (BIHS)
Having served on the SGC for our children’s elementary school and middle school, I bring a background knowledge to the table that will enable me to represent the interests of all students and families at BHS. The BHS BSEP Site Committee is a place where parents work together with the principal, teachers and students in deciding where BSEP Site Funds should be put to best use. Together with the SSC, the BSEP Site Committee also provides an important function in acting as a sounding board for issues and ideas for keeping our kids safe, in school, and learning. Should I be elected to the BSEP Site Committee, please contact me with any issues you would like to be discussed there. I appreciate the opportunity to be of service to our fine community!
Patrick Kirtland
I am new to BHS, but not to K-12 education. I’ve spent the past 9 years of my career working in the education sector, most recently as COO of a non-profit EdTech company called The Teaching Channel (Tch). Our mission at Tch was to provide free professional development for teachers in an environment where they could collaborate — to “get better together”. Further, for the past ten years I have been a leader in my kids’ schools – serving in varying Board posts to raise money, expand facilities and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of academic programs. I am new to BHS this year, with a daughter in the Freshman class. My interest in the BSEP is to get involved… contribute… and hopefully make a difference and be of service to the committee in any way I can.
John Lavine (AC)
I am the father of two daughters who are seniors in the Academic Choice Learning Community. Since they arrived at Berkeley High I have been deeply involved with school activities on many levels.
For the past three years I have served as a parent representative on the BHS BSEP Site Committee, as well as a representative to the district-wide BSEP Planning and Oversight (P&O) Committee. I was also a BSEP P&O representative when my daughters were at King Middle School.
I have volunteered on the AC Advisory Council and as a Writer’s Coach working in CAS classrooms. And I have been very active helping in the school’s Band and Orchestra program.
Finally, I teach high school in another school district and bring that perspective to my appreciation of Berkeley High’s BSEP program as well.
I believe that all these experiences have given me a good understanding of many aspects of Berkeley High, as well as a good deal of experience deciding how to distribute the BSEP funds both at the school level and at the district level. I would be honored to help do that again this year.
Brianna Rogers (AC)
My name is Brianna Rogers, and I am eager to get involved in exploring what resources and programs are funded in hopes to bridge academic completion gaps and enrich student experiences at Berkeley High Schol. I graduated BHS in 1999 and was born and raised in Berkeley. I am a passionate, seasoned leader in my community. I am the mother of an amazing freshman here in the Academic Choice program who also cheers on the JV team, and is apart of Leadership as well. Needless to say, I am committed to ensuring that not only her, but all students have access to every resource available. I am involved with several grant funded program initiatives at Berkeley City college so I have the firsthand knowledge of how programs run. Having experienced the disappointment of failing at some point in my life, I’m now fully walking in my purpose in life as a leader. I have the life experience needed to guide us towards reaching our educational goals in the most efficient manner. Also, I’m committed to “keeping the train moving” as my goal is to see all students win! As a voting BSEP comittee member I can guarantee that I will serve in such a way that will make us desire to step up to greatness. I’m a strong believer in allowing your work to speak for itself, and I have the assertive manner necessary to make change occur. I’m focused, intentional, committed, and ready to LEAD & SERVE!
Amber Spencer (BIHS)
My interest in serving on the BSEP committee stems from having been a BUSD parent since 2006 and serving on the SGC at Malcolm X, I believe I bring a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the diversified cultural and socioeconomic needs of our district. If elected, while I’d be serving as a BHS parent, I also bring a plethora of district knowledge having worked in the superintendent’s office for 5 years, Berkeley High School and currently supporting the Assist. Supt. of Ed Services.
Antoinette “Toni” Stein (BIHS)
I am a parent of a BHS Junior. I’m committed to helping BHS build a more vibrant, effective, and engaged school community through engaging a philosophy of “SHARING AND CARING” in all school actions. I am especially committed to helping our “at risk students”- I will work to get rid of all activities that resemble “babysitting” and move to bring added and much needed and missing student based CASE MANAGEMENT services to our students and their families. I am committed to working hard to see that all students matriculate forward to graduation and into their choice career development including assistance into higher education toward viable job training opportunities. I stand strong to advocate for our BHS community to bring and build an array of interesting, engaging, and enriching arts, science and athletic classes and programs beyond the so called CORE reading, writing and math. I will work as a team player to create a school environment where all of our students, teachers and administrators feel respected and supportive of each other’s individual lifelong growth. Additionally it is a high priority to make an effort to continuously improve BHS Environmental Health and Safety policies toward being a high performance school district.
Keturah Taylor (AC)
There is much data regarding the achievement of students and the gap between the performance of African-American students and students who are not African-American. Research shows parent participation and presence at their child’s school greatly improves a child’s ability to succeed academically. Research also shows a significant gap between African-American parental activity in their child’s schools and parents who are not African American. It is my intention to be the change I’d like to see by getting involved and helping to bridge these gaps by helping African American parents feel connected enough to their child’s school that they are motivated show up.
Scott Taylor (AC)
I know this is one of the best ways I can support my two children who are both BUSD students.