SANTA CLARA COUNTY – Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager has dually endorsed Susan Ellenberg and Don Rocha in the race to replace him on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, District Four. 

“Susan Ellenberg and Don Rocha are both incredibly thoughtful and qualified candidates,” said Yeager.  “District Four residents would be well-served by either of them as their representative.”

Don Rocha is a San Jose City Councilmember and former Cambrian School Board Trustee who has spent many years improving the lives of residents living in District Four. 

“I have worked alongside Don on issues affecting both the City and the County, such as the potential development of the Cambrian Park Plaza and matters of public health,” said Yeager.  “I appreciate his dedication to serving all of the residents in his district, including listening to the concerns of those living in unincorporated pockets.”

Susan Ellenberg is a San Jose Unified School District Trustee and appointed member of the Santa Clara County Commission on the Status of Women whose career has been dedicated to serving the needs of children and families.

“Susan’s experience in the education sector, promoting diversity, advocating for women, and making safer spaces for children give her unique insight into the needs of the people the County serves,” said Yeager.  “Her passion, vision, and genuine care make her a committed advocate for the residents of District Four.”

While Yeager enthusiastically supports Susan Ellenberg and Don Rocha with his endorsement, he also recognizes the strong, conscientious campaigns of former Campbell City Councilmember Jason Baker and Santa Clara City Councilmember Dominic Caserta.

Coyote Valley provides habitat and allows animals to navigate around our growing city; it also contributes to flood control and water quality in San Jose, absorbing storm waters and overflow from creeks that recharge our aquifers.

Last night’s candidates forum for County Supervisor at the Santa Clara County Democratic Club’s monthly meeting wasn’t too enlightening, but did have some entertaining moments.

All five candidates agreed on the majority of topics addressed, with Pierluigi Oliverio being the lone dissenter on two items. He disagreed with Santa Clara County’s opposition to the Trump administration’s’ federal immigration policies because Oliverio feels the County needs to follow national policy to maintain federal funds (75 percent of its budget according to Oliverio). He also would not pledge to support new local taxes to replace the potential loss of federal funds.

“Audrey” and her mom have been living with one of her mom’s co-workers for the last two months. The two of them are sleeping on a couch, which Audrey says explains her exhaustion during the day and tendency to fall asleep in class. When asked, Audrey insists she’s not homeless: “That’s the people who are sleeping on the streets.”

In California, just over 3 percent of the K-12 public school population was homeless last year, according to data submitted by schools to the State Department of Education. In San Jose Unified School District, that translates to approximately 900 students.

I was devastated to read about elderly residents being evicted from their homes, particularly weeks before Christmas. We must demand a higher degree of responsibility for vulnerable populations and speak up for dependent seniors. California state law requires only 60 days notice for the closure of a senior care facility and a plan for relocation of residents, which is wholly inadequate. The relocation period will often take longer and the trauma of moving is more profound for someone who is already being cared for in an assisted living facility. This stressful situation could have been mitigated with more practical and compassionate requirements. It is unfortunate that the landlord is forcing the closure of this — by all accounts — profitable arrangement and displacing many vulnerable residents. Our community needs to do better.

Susan Ellenberg
Candidate, District 4, Santa Clara
County Board of Supervisors

“Mrs. Ellenberg, you have to run!” exclaimed my middle school students. I had been a social justice educator at a small, independent school for five years when I discussed the possibility of my running for a seat on the San Jose Unified School District’s Board of Education.

The emphasis on core academics has seen a steady increase over the past number of years, but a discipline that has disappeared nearly entirely from our students’ curriculum is an education that emphasizes an understanding of citizenry: not only how government works at each level, but why engagement with the political process is critical. Students, as well as the rest of us, need to understand what social and economic interests are addressed by different levels and branches of government and the implications of a lack of engagement. Related valuable skills to hone include the ability to distinguish fact from opinion, discern the validity of sources, and engage in civil dialogue with those who hold divergent views.

Hundreds of children live in Santa Clara County without daily care from their mothers because their mothers are in jail.

Between 400 and 500 women, most of them mothers, are incarcerated in our county on any given day, some for weeks, others for many months. With an estimated average of two children for each mother, this affects between 800 and 1,000 children daily.

San Jose Unified School District students are the future leaders and workforce of the Silicon Valley. They require skills in core academic programs like math, science, reading and writing, as well as excellent classroom instruction from highly qualified teachers to ensure they are prepared.

On Nov. 8, local voters have the opportunity to invest in student futures by voting Yes on Measure Y to strengthen our local elementary, middle and high schools here in San Jose.

Great teachers change lives. Many of us recall one teacher who sparked our interest in a subject or changed the way we thought about the world. Parents want to see their children come home from school excited about learning.

On a broader level, research validates these individual experiences. Studies show the quality of a teacher has a significant impact on student learning, greater than family income, class size or school location.