Berkeley

Five Candidates Vie to Replace Outgoing County Superintendent of Schools

Published

11 years ago

April 24, 2014

Five candidates are competing to replace Alameda County Superintendent of Schools Sheila Jordan, who is retiring after 16 years in the position.

The superintendent, an elected position, runs the Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE),

Jeff Bowser

which serves 18 school districts comprising more than 400 schools with more than 11,000 teachers, nearly 8,000 classified employees and nearly 215,000 students.

The office provides a broad range of services including fiscal oversight for school districts, direct operation of schools for at-risk students, including the school at Alameda County Juvenile Hall and provides teacher in-service programs to advance teaching and learning.

If no candidate wins at least 50 percent in the June 3 primary election, the top two will compete in the November general election.

Jeff Bowser, Board of Education member of the Pleasanton Unified School District, was elected in 2010. According to his campaign, he has led his school board’s efforts to “right the ship” after devastating cuts from the state and federal governments – working to reduce class sizes, balance budgets and restore important programs for arts, music and reading.

A fourth-generation Alameda County Democrat, he has worked for 14 years as a credentialed teacher and administrator at the school, district and county levels.

Naomi Eason, with over two decades of experience, is a professional educator, administrator, parent of five and Oakland PTA member. She has worked as a teacher and administrator in Oakland and Emeryville and served as Assistant Superintendent at ACOE.

At present, Eason is California executive director of Building Educated Leaders for Life, a nonprofit delivering afterschool and summer school programs.

Helen Foster

“Your vote for me will keep student achievement for all at the forefront as I collaborate with district administrators, teachers, staff and parents to improve education across the county,” she said.

Helen Foster is a member of the board of the San Lorenzo Unified School District and works as human resources director for the Hayward Unified School District. She said her priorities include implementing California’s new “local control” funding formula and nationwide Common Core standards.

A former high school science teacher, Foster said she wants to attract more funding to science and math education while also restoring arts programs.

Karen Monroe, associate superintendent of the ACOE, is the candidate endorsed by County Supt. Jordan. She has worked for the Bay Area Liaison for A Better Chance, formed the non-profit Educational Technology Training Institute, served as an Oakland teacher and principal and worked as Director of Academics for the Seneca Center.

Monroe wants to expand Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) instruction in the schools and in afterschool programs.

Reed, a member of the San Leandro City Council, has 25 years experience in education, including serving as a principal, teacher and central office administrator in the Oakland and Hayward school districts.

Ursula Reed

“At the top of my priorities is the goal to put our children first on the list when it comes to funding,” said Reed, who would conduct an audit of ACOE to eliminate duplication and waste.

Oakland Post

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Related Topics:ACOE Alameda County Alameda County Office of Education Helen Foster Jeff Bowser Karen Monroe Naomi Eason Sheila Jordan Ursula Reed

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Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley Celebrates 90th Anniversary

Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., who has served as Progressive Missionary’s pastor since September 1977, said the church also delights in the fact that it has hosted only five pastors in its 90-year history, including Pastors James E. Moore, H. A. Green, F. Douglas Farrell, and Edward Stovall, who served for 37 years.

Published

4 weeks ago

May 16, 2025

Oakland Post

Progressive Missionary Baptist Poster. Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., Pastor of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Berkeley with his wife, Kay Frances Stuckey.

By Oakland Post Staff

The Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley is celebrating its 90th church anniversary on Sunday, May 18 at 10 a.m. at 3301 King Street in Berkeley.

The celebration will feature Pastor Darnell Manuel of the Union Baptist Church in Vallejo as guest speaker, along with many other special presentations.

Those who wish to share in Progressive’s history can purchase a 100-page full-colored souvenir book for $25.

The church boasts a number of notable people who either regularly attended or became members of the church since its inception, including former Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Oakland mayoral candidate Loren Taylor, and one of the organizers of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Helen J. H. Stephens.

Pastor Stuckey often remarks how longevity flourishes at the church — it boasts 13 centenarians (people who have reached 100 years or more). Currently, it has one centenarian who is still surviving, Mrs. Dorothy Chambers, and 14 members who have reached 90 years or more.

Recently, on Feb.17, the pastor and his wife Kay Frances, celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary.

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Activism

Faces Around the Bay: Author Karen Lewis Took the ‘Detour to Straight Street’

“My life has been a roller-coaster with an unlimited ride wristband! I was raised in Berkeley during the time of Ron Dellums, the Black Panthers, and People’s Park. I was a Hippie kid, my Auntie cut off all our hair so we could wear the natural styles like her and Angela Davis.

Published

1 month ago

April 28, 2025

Oakland Post

Karen Lewis. Courtesy photo.

By Barbara Fluhrer

I met Karen Lewis on a park bench in Berkeley. She wrote her story on the spot.

I got married young, then ended up getting divorced, raising two boys into men. After my divorce, I had a stroke that left me blind and paralyzed. I was homeless, lost in a fog with blurred vision.

Jesus healed me! I now have two beautiful grandkids. At 61, this age and this stage, I am finally free indeed. Our Lord Jesus Christ saved my soul. I now know how to be still. I lay at his feet. I surrender and just rest. My life and every step on my path have already been ordered. So, I have learned in this life…it’s nice to be nice. No stressing, just blessings. Pray for the best and deal with the rest.

Nobody is perfect, so forgive quickly and love easily!”

Lewis’ book “Detour to Straight Street” is available on Amazon.

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Activism

Golden State Warriors Program Is Inspiring Next Generation of Female Engineers

Breaking down barriers and biases that deter young girls from pursuing STEAM subjects is essential for creating a level playing field and ensuring equal opportunities for all. By challenging stereotypes and promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity in STEAM fields, experts believe young girls can be empowered to pursue their interests and aspirations without limitations confidently. Encouraging mentorship, providing access to resources, and celebrating girls’ achievements in STEAM are all crucial steps in creating a supportive environment that fosters success.

Published

3 months ago

March 23, 2025

Oakland Post

Front Row: UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team Back Row: Girls, Inc. Participants. Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

The Golden State Warriors and e-commerce giant Rakuten are joining forces to inspire the next generation of female engineers through Building STEAM Futures, part of The City Calls campaign.

Organizers say the initiative is founded on the idea that science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) are crucial fields for innovation and progress, and empowering young girls to pursue careers in these areas is more important than ever. Studies consistently show that girls are underrepresented in STEAM fields, resulting in a gender disparity that limits potential and hinders diversity.

On Saturday, March 8, International Women’s Day, the Warriors and Rakuten hosted 20 middle school girls from Girls Inc. of Alameda County at Chase Center’s Above the Rim for a hands-on bridge-building experience. The young girls from Girls, Inc. of Alameda County had an opportunity to design, build and test their own bridge prototypes and learn the fundamentals of bridge construction from the Engineering Alliance and the UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team.

This STEAM experience for the girls followed the first session in January, where they took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, learning about its design and construction from industry experts. The City Calls campaign, tipped off with the unveiling the Warriors’ new bridge-themed City Edition jerseys and court design earlier this year.