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The challenger in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District’s only competitive race in the upcoming general election is seeking to spread his platform and get to know the community as he seeks to unseat the longtime incumbent representing Area 5.
Joel Woods, a longtime San Ramon resident and substitute teacher at multiple East Bay schools, is heading from the classroom to the campaign trail in his campaign for the school board seat currently occupied by Rachel Hurd, who is seeking a sixth term in the position.
“For more than twenty years, I have called the San Ramon Valley home,” Woods said on his campaign website. “I have seen firsthand how exceptional public schools strengthen our community and create opportunities for our students.”
“My experience working within local classrooms has also given me a firsthand understanding of the challenges teachers, substitute teachers, staff, and students face every day,” he continued.
Woods said his motivation for running stems from that belief in strong schools as well as support for educators, responsible financial management and “leadership that listens”.
“I believe teachers deserve a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their classrooms,” Woods said. “Parents and students deserve to be heard. And taxpayers deserve transparency about how our resources are being used.”
Woods’ campaign priorities include maintaining high educational standards, expanded access to advanced curriculum, giving teachers “a meaningful voice in curriculum and instructional decisions,” along with “recognizing their firsthand classroom experience and professional expertise” and otherwise supporting teachers and staff.
“Great schools begin with great educators,” Woods said. “Having worked within local classrooms, I understand how important it is for teachers and staff to feel supported, respected, and properly resourced.”
That and other priorities such as pursuing new sources of funding to maintain and improve the classroom experience and student services, as well as community engagement, are driven by the question of “what is best for students” a question he said should drive every decision made by the school board.
“My priorities are focused on protecting the academic excellence of SRVUSD, supporting the educators who make that excellence possible, using public resources responsibly, and ensuring every student has a safe and supportive environment in which to learn and succeed,” Woods said.
But Woods is also calling for additional collaboration with the broader community.
“School Board decisions should reflect the needs of the students and community the district serves,” Woods said. “That requires listening before decisions are made, not simply communicating afterward.”
If elected, Woods said he would work toward this goal by maintaining open communication with faculty, staff, students, and families, as well as other residents and local businesses, creating additional opportunities for community feedback, building relationships throughout the district “even when people disagree” and “make decision-making understandable and accountable, including clearly explaining difficult choices and the reasoning behind them”.
Woods is also seeking to foster community engagement via his run for office, with his next campaign event set for October and a call for input from residents.
“The best decisions start with listening,” Woods said. “I want to hear directly from parents, students, teachers, staff, and community members about what is working, what needs attention, and what you want for the future of SRVUSD.”
More information is available at vote4joelwoods.com.
