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Candidate forum: What happens when families unite!

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Maribel Gonzalez
Published on:
October 7, 2024

Dear Contra Costa County Community,

Last week, families, students and community members packed the Making Waves Academy gym for the first ever school board candidate forum (and the largest in the county) organized by family and student leaders of the Contra Costa County Charter Coalition (5C).


A remarkable 350 people showed up, choosing to spend their valuable time to build community and hear directly from potential county and district school board members about why they should be the ones making decisions that will impact our students and families.


We are grateful for the participation of candidates Guadalupe Enllana (West Contra Costa Unified School District Area 2); Anthony Caro (Contra Costa County Board of Education Area 1); and Daniel Nathan-Heiss (Contra Costa County Board of Education Area 1). Unfortunately, candidates Jamila Smith Folds (WCCUSD Area 1) and Otheree Christian (WCCUSD Area 2) did not show up. And congratulations to candidate Cinthia Hernandez (WCCUSD Area 3) who met with 5C parent leaders a couple of weeks before the forum and had to excuse herself from the event because she gave birth the same day.


The huge turnout was a testament to the continual hard work and relationship building by the 5C community. It was incredible to witness all of our emerging leaders, representing all the schools in our coalition, wearing our green shirts and working together.


We also witnessed family and youth power in action, and what happens when we come together and engage elected officials. It is so valuable for our community members to start a discourse about the issues our schools and students face, and hear the candidates share what they prioritize and why. Students and families absolutely deserve a seat at the decision-making table, which is what this night was really all about.

Below you will find how the candidates answered our “lightning round” questions. We’ll follow up later in the week with a full recap of the forum and more photos.

                                                               If you missed the candidate forum or want to rewatch it, please watch our livestream here

Family attending our Candidate Forum and learning about the candidates
Over 350 attendees at our first ever Candidate Forum
Contra Costa public school students attending the Candidate Forum

Maribel Gonzalez

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We are families, educators and youth representing quality public charter schools in Contra Costa County
Family in a park
Mother and daughters
Lady smiling with green jumper
Family in a park
Mother and daughters
Lady smiling with green jumper
Mother and daughter smiling
Small child playing
Small child laughing
Mother and daughter smiling
Small child playing
Small child laughing
Small child smiling and has his thumb up
Girl smiling in graduation hat
Girl in graduation gown
Small child smiling and has his thumb up
Girl smiling in graduation hat
Girl in graduation gown
Family in a park
Family standing under balloons
Family in a park
Family in a park
Family standing under balloons
Family in a park