Category Archives: Benicia Unified School District

Anti-racism, Benicia Unified School District, Equity and Diversity, Meeting notices

Our Next Meeting – Tuesday, June 13

MEMBER MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2023, 7:00 PM

ZOOM MEETING

___________________________________________________________________________

Our next general membership meeting will be on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 7pm, via Zoom (scroll down to find the link, which will be included in a reminder email as well).

First, we have one speaker that we could not fit in last month for our refinery discussion. Liam Kane is an undergraduate student at Drexel University, majoring in Global Sustainability Analytics and a member of the Fair Tech Collective research group. Working under the direction of Dr. Gwen Ottinger, Associate Professor in Drexel’s Center for Science, Technology, and Society, Kane has been developing methods of analyzing continuous air monitoring data that speak directly to community concerns.

This month our meeting topic is “Racism in Schools.” 

The rest of our program will focus on racism in our schools.  Our guests will be Sheri Leigh, a concerned Benician who has raised the alarm about the “La Migra” game, and Sheri Zada, President of the Benicia Unified School District School Board.

Sheri Leigh (left) and Sheri Zada (right)

Sheri Leigh has a post graduate certification in Hazardous Materials Management and a Masters of Science in Educational Psychology.  She has been actively involved in the public school system since her son attended kindergarten in 1991.  Sheri worked as a high school and middle school counselor; prior to that, Sheri owned an environmental consulting business, specializing in waste management and pollution control.  She also teaches piano, which is her primary occupation at this time.

Sheri Leigh has been involved in matters of equity and restorative justice practice throughout most of her adult life. She has volunteered on Equity committees at nearly all of her workplaces; at three different high schools, she introduced and facilitated “Link Crew,” a program designed to welcome and include all high school newcomers. She has been a supporting member of Benicia Black Lives Matter since 2020. Sheri is the facilitator and author of the “Our Voices” articles on matters of current and historical racial injustices, and is currently working on exposing the complex, somewhat dangerous, and often damaging tradition of Benicia’s “La Migra” games.

Sheri Zada is President of the Benicia Unified School District School Board.  She has been on the board since 2018.  Sheri is a retired school librarian and union rep.  She also has worked with special needs children.  She is the mother of two sons.  Sheri has also been on the City of Benicia Tourism Committee.  She is a strong advocate to stand up against gun violence and was an organizer for the first  Benicia March for Our Lives.

Our Zoom meeting details are below.  Our Zoom link and sign-in details will be the same through October if you would like to save them to your calendar.

Join PDB Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82362109045?pwd=bG9SMzE3RnA5VlJWeXhUMWhUNjk5Zz09

Meeting ID: 823 6210 9045
Passcode: 039610
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,82362109045#,,,,*039610# US (San Jose)
+16694449171,,82362109045#,,,,*039610# US

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdtJHvmFU6

Don’t miss this important meeting!

See you on Zoom, Tuesday, June 13 at 7:00 PM! Please invite your friends and anyone who is interested in Benicia’s schools.  

Benicia elections, Benicia Unified School District, Clean energy, Renewable energy

Meeting Reflections – March 14, 2023

MEETING REFLECTIONS
March 14, 2023

Our March meeting was held on  Tuesday, March 14, 2023 via Zoom.

Agenda:
  • Call to Order
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Acknowledgements/Announcements
  • BUSD-5th Dist. Candidate – Ali Mansouri
  • Jed Holtzman, RMI
  • Igor Tregub, CA Solar & Storage Assn.
  • Wrap-up

Announcements

  • Benicia Community Air Monitoring Program (BCAMP) Forum
    • March 27, 2023 at 7 pm – Air Quality, Monitoring & Human Health Risk
    • Register:  www.fenceline.org
    • Panel:
      • Dr. Marjaneh Moini, Oncologist; Physicians for Social Responsibility
      • Don Gamiles, President, Argos Scientific
      • Eric Stevenson, former mgr. BAAQMD; Argos
  • Solano Pride Center – Trans Day of Visibility Rally
    • Friday, March 31, 2023 at 4 pm at 675 Texas Street, Fairfield
  • BBQ in the Park for Solano County Democrats
    • May 20, 2023 at Allan Witt Park in Fairfield
    • Seeking art donations for the Silent Art and Dessert Auction
  • Poetry Reading from Yearning to Breathe Free at the Benicia Public Library, March 19, 2023 at 3 pm
  • City Council Meeting March 21, 2023 at 6 pm will honor Roger Straw. All are invited to attend.
  • March 25, 2023 City Council Annual Goal Setting Meeting 8:30 to 4:30 at Benicia Public Library . All are invited to attend.
  • March 28, 2023 6 pm – special City Council meeting focusing on the pedestrian bridge replacement options
  • City Council will hold several meetings about the budget April through June
  • NEXT MEETING: April 11, 2022 at 6:30 pm in person at the Library

Program

District 5 BUSD “Special Vacancy” Election

We heard from District 5 School Board candidate Dr. Ali Mansouri. He spoke about his background, why he is running, and answered questions from members and attendees.

The recorded video of this section of the meeting can be accessed here.  In addition, the recorded video of District 5 candidate Ariana Martinez from last month’s meeting can be accessed here.

As a reminder, only residents of District 5 are eligible to vote in the April 11 election.

Methane Gas in the Home: What You Need to Know

blue gas flames from a gas stoveGuest speaker Jed Holtzman from RMI (formerly the Rocky Mountain Institute) gave a presentation on how much our gas appliances contribute to air pollution, how new regulations proposed by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) could help address the issue, and how they may impact us.  The recorded video of this section of the meeting can be accessed here.

Home Electrification

Kathy Kerridge gave a brief presentation on converting home gas appliances to electric and recommended Green, Blue, and You with useful information for home conversion and upgrades.  The recorded video of this section of the meeting can be accessed here.

Why You May Want to Get Solar Nowtwo workers install rooftop solar panels

Our second guest speaker, Igor Tregub, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the CA Solar and Storage Association and Chair of the California Democratic Party Environmental Caucus, spoke about the recent changes made by the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) to how utilities will pay for power from rooftop solar, and provided a lot of useful information needed to make decisions about solar.  The recorded video of this section of the meeting can be accessed here.

To lock in the most favorable rates you must submit the following to your utility BY APRIL 14:

  • a complete and correct interconnection application to your utility;
  • a signed contract with a solar provider;
  • a single-line diagram;
  • a complete California Contractor’s State License Solar Energy System disclosure document;
  • a signed California Solar Consumer Protection Guide; and
    an oversizing attestation (if applicable).

Action: Letter Writing with Vote Forward

You are encouraged to all to sign up for letter writing for the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election through Vote Forward. A member will host a letter writing party on Thursday March 23, 2023. Contact us for details.

Your Membership in PDB – One Last Reminder

If you haven’t yet, please renew your PDB membership by clicking this link to pay your annual $20 in membership dues. While you’re there, please consider making an additional donation to help fund PDB’s future activities.

>>  Yes – Renew my Membership!

http://progressivedemocratsofbenicia.org/pay-dues-donate/

Benicia elections, Benicia Unified School District, Gun Control, U.S. Rep. John Garamendi

Meeting Reflections – February 22, 2023

MEETING REFLECTIONS
FEBRUARY 22, 2023

 

Our February meeting was held on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 via Zoom. The recorded video of the meeting can be accessed here.

Agenda:
  • Call to Order
  • Acknowledgements
  • U.S. Congressman John Garamendi
  • Special School Board Election discussion and candidate
  • Steering Committee Elections
  • Vote on letter regarding gun violence
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Wrap-up
Program

John Garamendi, our new US Congressman, was our guest.  He brought a report on what is going on with the new House of Representatives as well as what the Democrats may be able to accomplish in the next two years. He then fielded a number of questions from members and attendees.

“Special Vacancy” BUSD Board of Trustees Election in District 5

District 5 in Benicia is having an election for school board on April 11, 2023.  Benicia Unified School District Board President Sheri Zada discussed the background behind the special election, and introduced the candidate the board originally selected, Ariana Martinez.

Candidate Ariana Martinez spoke about why she is running and answered questions from members and attendees.

Officer Elections

Officer elections were held (all positions are a two-year commitment).

Vote on Gun Violence Reduction Letter

Members voted to support a letter directed to Congressional Representatives regarding gun violence reduction. See the text of the letter below.

Announcements

  • Mayor Young made these announcements:
    • March 7, 2023 City Council meeting with a discussion of the water reuse plan
    • On March 21, 2023 at 6:00 pm the City will issue a proclamation in honor of Roger Straw, and all are invited to attend
    • On March 25, 2023 from 8 to 5 the City will hold a Goal Setting Workshop open to all
  • NEXT MEETING: March 14, 2022 at 7:00 pm

As a reminder, only dues-paying members are eligible to vote in the  essential club business that will occur throughout the year.  Your membership is your voice in these vital matters. If you have questions about your membership, please contact us.

For only $20, you can reactivate your membership by clicking this link to pay your annual dues. While you’re there, please consider making an additional donation to help fund PDB’s future activities. Not only will your generosity help us keep our forward momentum, it will also give you a voice in the club, allowing you to vote on important matters and help us execute essential club business.

>>  Yes – Renew my Membership!

http://progressivedemocratsofbenicia.org/pay-dues-donate/

[Note: As a reminder, the text below represents a letter PDB and other Democratic clubs in the county have been asked to sign. We will be voting as a club on whether or not we sign this letter. Be sure to renew your membership if you wish to vote on this matter.]

TEXT OF THE GUN VIOLENCE REDUCTION LETTER

Dear Congressmembers Garamendi and Thompson,

As you know, in the last month, there has been a spate of mass killings in California all of which involved some type of automatic weapon.

A time comes when a rational person simply says enough: this must change.

To its credit the 117th Congress last year passed HR 1808, the assault weapons ban.

We want to thank both of you for affirming publicly your support for this bill and voting for it on the floor.

We want to thank Congressman Garamendi for his ongoing support as a current co sponsor of HR 698 (Assault Weapons Regulation) and look forward to hearing the same from Congressman Thompson.

We want our children and grandchildren to be safe when they go to school, fellow citizens safe when they go to work and safe when we go about doing our daily tasks. We strongly support an automatic weapons ban and intend to make working and advocating for such a ban a priority in our organizations.

Thank you,
[The Progressive Democrats of Benicia]