Endorsements: For Sacramento schools – Bell, Corso, Singh
Published Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010

Sacramento's future, and the future of the region, rests on the quality of its public schools. That's why voters will cast crucial ballots this year for the Sacramento City Unified School District. There are good choices for each of the open seats, but here are three that would provide the best chemistry for the board, the district's new superintendent and, most important, the students they serve.

Area 1: Ellyne Bell

Bell is the lone incumbent running, and we've had some differences with her. Her opposition to Sacramento High's renewal as a charter school is one example.

More recently, Bell has demonstrated some leadership, and some courage, in helping the district through some challenging times. As president, she held firm on reopening the teacher contract and winning concessions, something that hadn't been done in 10 years. Bell also deserves partial credit for bringing in a talented and innovative superintendent, Jonathan Raymond.

Bell's most serious challenger is Paige Powell, who has 12 years' experience teaching English at Roseville High School. While Powell shows promise for the future, Bell has a working knowledge of Sacramento schools that is needed more than ever. If re-elected, she'd be the only school board member with four years' experience. This year, more than ever, continuity is important.

By Cosmo Garvin
cosmog@newsreview.com

The normally sleepy school board elections in the Sacramento City Unified School District have been enlivened by two developments. First is the recent introduction of district elections—which have made the contests more competitive, and more personal.

Then there are the efforts of Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson—who’s been tied to some very controversial education issues in the past—to inject himself into the process.

Both factors seem to be at work in the race for District 1—covering Midtown, downtown, Curtis Park and much of Land Park—between Paige Powell and Ellyne Bell.

A Vote For The Incumbent

Monday, September 06, 2010

Preparing to spend the day painting my porch, I heard a knocking at the door. It was a canvasser for Sacramento School Board challenger candidate, Paige Powell. I asked the canvasser what did he see as the problem with incumbent Sacramento School Board candidate, Ellyne Bell.

"She's trying to close down Sacramento High School, and its college prep program," the canvasser said. "Ellyne Bell spends her time caving in to the unions' demands. She doesn't care for the students. Paige Powell is the only one of the candidates who has been a teacher, and who understands the students' needs."