For the second week in a row, the letter in support of Wheeler is from someone without kids in the MVWSD.

Moreover, the notion that the reason for why many of us parents with kids in the district take issue with her decisions is that we haven't "taken time to educate [ourselves] about the issues" is borderline insulting.

In my opinion, it doesn't make any difference whether or not those endorsing Ellen Wheeler's re-election are current parents in the district!! The letters I have read endorsing Ellen's re-election demonstrate an obvious knowledge of her character, talent, and skills that have consistently made her an excellent trustee. Perhaps these people had children in the district not so long ago or perhaps these people have worked with her on other committees or met her thru the many education- focused conferences she has attended. Ellen is current in her thinking and knowledge about curriculum/instruction and district policies which cannot be said of all the candidates who are running. Experience does matter!!!

I urge people to be cautious at looking at experience as the leading indicator for the best qualified board members. Experience has too often been used to negate critical voices, critical voices should be judged on their merits or respected as being different viewpoints, and not discounted because the source lacks "experience."

Experience is not analogous to good judgement around priorities, transparency and partnership with parents, fairness and trust with fellow board members and the superintendent, and a patience to not rush even the best intended policies, all are more important than "experience."

Those qualities would have prevented the board from approving policies that continuously shift focus away from children and their teachers, and towards never ending self-created controversies and busy work. Career teachers in the district speak to the generations of different trends that have taken their time away from the real work of the district, the work between the teacher and the student, and the real experience in the district, the judgement of its teachers to craft their classroom, backed by resources to sustain and grow.

It speaks volumes that many teachers in MVWSD say they don't have funds to buy even a rug for the students to gather for meetings, or to pursue professional development that they self-identify as needed for their individualized growth. Yet funds for district office initiatives seem endless.

All four candidates are wonderful people and will be a positive addition to the board, as such, I'll vote based off who actively listens to the educators that work directly with the children and their parents, and not how long they've been in office.

Video link to the League of Women Voter's MVWSD debate from last week:
Web Link

Video link to watch board meetings:
Web Link

@Christopher Chang: first of all , the League of Women Voters did not host a "debate" which implies back and forth arguments, etc., etc. The League of Women Voters does host "Candidate Forums" where all candidates answer the same questions that have been generated by the audience.

On another note, many in the community barely give any credence to your remarks because we just can't get over how you deserted the Board and school district when " the going got tough" instead of sticking it out and reaching a consensus on how to work together. Your skills as Board President were sorely lacking which led to the often chaotic Board Meetings. Evidence of someone lacking in leadership skills is the wanting to listen, listen and listen to everyone ad infinitum but never take any concrete action or make a decision. At some point, you need to act. Great leaders know that the decisions they make will not satisfy everyone or be liked by everyone but have determined through study of the information/data that they are best in terms of who it impacts the most.

You say "On another note, many in the community barely give any credence to your remarks." This also rings true for your comments as you are not even a resident of Mountain View. There seems to be a trend here - you show up on Town Square whenever someone comments negatively about Ellen Wheeler. Family member or close friend perhaps?

Homelessness and RVs that have gained incrementally the past few years in MV, those people need to be helped.

Pat Showalter has been the main issue that has prevented help to these people. We need incentives to get the RVs off the street and to help those (that were from MV in the first place) to find respectable living situations!

Vote OUT Showalter!!

She is the main reason for the RVs and homelessness and associated crimes in MV.
Wee need a change in the right direction.