I would also encourage those that could not be at the candidate forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters to view the recording. I found it to be a good objective look at the candidates.

Web Link

I agree! Gupta would bring an impressive business resume to Board and is knowledgeable on issues being co-president of the MPAEF.

Gupta is just another insider. The taxpayers need an outsider to disrupt this board and its allegiance to students and teachers. The board represent ALL of the residents of the district. A quality education is desired by all of us and is already being delivered. Increased property tax revenues should cover increased enrollment. Why is more money required? Because they gave an unaffordable raise to teachers? Because the state is demanding more from the district for pensions? Pensions that no one in the private sector has any expectation?

The current board and insider just want to hand us a bill and expect us to pay it. Not going to happen. Let's not elect more of the same. Let's elect someone with a plan to deal with the deficit and not simply expect the taxpayers to continue to pick up the tab for financial mismanagement. Does Gupta have a plan? I certainly haven't seen it. Lucas HAS a plan. Try looking at it. It's on her web site.

In addition, let's elect new board members that are committed to TRANSPARENCY. Lucas is. Are any of the other candidates?

every vote for Hinshaw is one less vote for an insider.

I truly wish that people would stop using the term "raise" in discussions regarding the teacher pay COLA in MPCSD. (The adjustment doesn't even cover the true rise in the cost of living for this area in the last year.). As to people discussing teacher pensions... are you aware that teachers do NOT get to collect Social Security? Also, MPCSD has no control over pensions. That is all decided at the state level.

"Also, MPCSD has no control over pensions. That is all decided at the state level."

That is correct. hat the district does have control over is how they spend the money they receive. Do they budget based upon the passage of a parcel tax they assume will pass? Or do they actually budget to live within their means? Just like the rest of us.

"I truly wish that people would stop using the term "raise" in discussions regarding the teacher pay COLA in MPCSD."

From the dictionary: 5. To increase in size, quantity, or worth: RAISE AN EMPLOYEES SALARY.

The employees' pay went up. Doesn't matter why. It's by definition still a raise.

I truly wish people would stop trying to justify the unjustifiable.

""Also, MPCSD has no control over pensions. That is all decided at the state level.""

Wrong. Pension are computed as a percentage of the salary of the individual involved.

There is TOTAL local control over:

1 - What the salary is,

2 - How many people are on the payroll.

@Sydney

A state pension is way better than social security. State worker pension benefits are guaranteed never to be diminished by the California Constitution. Not only is the amount of public employees’ pensions that has been earned by past service protected, but also the employees’ right to keep earning a pension based on rules that are at least as generous for as long as they stay employed.

CalPERS sets the rate of return on state pensions. What happens when CalPERS can't meet the rate of return it set for itself? The taxpayers have to make up the difference.

In the last fiscal year, CalPERS returned 0.61%. But it assumed it would make 7.5%. Guess who has to make up the nearly 7% difference? The taxpayer.

Now what happens if CalPERS adjusts the rate of return downward to ease the burden on taxpayers? Well, state workers still make out well. In that case, local governments, school districts, etc. have to make up the difference, which ultimately means the cost gets passed on to the taxpayer.

California pensions: heads I win, tails you lose. It's too bad we let the unions dictate the rules.

Social security has none of these guarantees. Congress can diminish benefits, raise the retirement age, and increase taxes on benefits at any time. In fact, it gets worse. Social security is a "pay-as-you-go" system. Any tax money collected is doled out to retirees almost immediately as benefits. Any leftover money is supposed to be kept in a trust fund, but Congress raids this trust fund on a regular basis to fund deficit spending.

Trust me: if you have to ever choose between state pension benefits or social security, choose the pension.

All good points, however having a decent and secure pension is one of the benefits that attract people to a profession that has been historically far underpaid in relation to the amount of work, responsibility and level of education required. There is a large teacher shortage coming in this country as people view teaching as a less and less desirable occupation. The number of students seeking to become teachers at the college level has dramatically dropped in the last 5 years.

Sydney:

guess what happens when they'res a labor shortage? Wages rise.

My votes will go to Alka Gupta and David Ackerman. I believe they will add the experience and skills necessary to keep our schools and community strong.

David is a proven leader in our district who has successfully hired and developed the best teachers and specialists to grow our children. He also has years of experience managing priorities and investments in educational programs.

Alka brings impressive experience managing complex strategic decisions, leading diverse groups through planning and budgeting. She is smart, passionate and, most importantly, is a great listener. I truly believe she would be an asset for the Menlo Park School Board.

I believe these two individuals complement each other and would keep our schools strong and support all children and voices in the community.