On Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at about 10:15 p.m., an alert Piedmont resident on Sharon Avenue called 911 to report two males shining flashlights into her neighbor’s windows.  A third subject was sitting in front of the residence in a vehicle with the motor running.

Piedmont Police officers responded and located the vehicle as it was attempting to flee the scene. All three subjects were detained and arrested for attempted burglary.

The Piedmont Police Department expresses how important these phone calls are when suspicious activities are seen.

Reports to the Police help to keep Piedmont safe.

See something suspicious – call the Piedmont Police Department! 

911 or 510/420-3000

New Piedmont School Year Brings Foundation Funding and Hiring Crisis at PHS –

On Tuesday, August 21st, the Piedmont School Board held its bi-monthly meeting at City Hall, kicking off the School Board meetings for the 2018 school year.

The agenda was split between the usual items at the beginning of every school year and reports on some of the issues that the School District is already facing.

The meeting began with Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education President Sarah Pearson inviting the representative of the teachers’ union, Mr. Kessler, to deliver the union’s remarks on the upcoming school year. He brought up the “palpable energy” of the new school year, the new initiatives in the Middle School, and the excitement in the new teachers. He requested that the administration and School Board have more faith in the teachers’ methods and allow them more autonomy.

Heather Frank, Executive Director of the Piedmont Education Foundation, presented the Giving Campaign’s annual check to the Piedmont Unified School District. The check was a record-breaking $2,708,421 with $1.4 million dollars dedicated to keeping class sizes smaller.

Board Member Amal Smith commented, “Due to the fact that our state budget is being continually cut, without the efforts of the Piedmont Education Foundation, the District would simply be unable to run.”

The Board opened the Public Forum when attendees could address items not on the agenda.  Senior Casey Lane spoke about her grant request for the Diversity Awareness Club. Mentioning that teenagers are basically dogs and follow food,  and she requested that the Board consider the grant in order to continue fostering diversity in Piedmont. The Board in response thanked her for taking charge of such an important action in Piedmont High School.

As Casey was the only speaker not on the agenda, the Board took up its regular agenda with the confirmation of the new Piedmont High School Director of Athletics, Alphonso Powell.  Superintendent Randall Booker introduced Mr. Powell and commented on his vast experience in the Oakland and San Francisco school districts.  Booker ended by saying “That he was most impressed by Mr. Powell’s experience of teaching in a classroom, a rare trait for an Athletics Director.”  Unsurprisingly, the Board approved Alphonso Powell for Athletic Director on a 5-0 vote.

Superintendent Randall Booker provided the Board with insight on the teacher shortage in Piedmont. He listed nine major vacancies at the beginning of the school year and so far five of them have been filled. He explained the reason for the shortage was the exorbitant Bay Area rent, a lack of qualified teachers and every school district fighting over the few qualified candidates that are left. He ended by asking the Board for patience, as while the District could throw anyone into a classroom and call them a teacher, he is making sure that they do the necessary background checks on any candidate before hiring them.

Personally, I believe that the school hasn’t properly communicated any of the issues with hiring to the students and are focusing far too much on new long-term initiatives and not enough on our current students.  As a student, I would love more than anything else to have smaller class sizes and fewer overworked teachers.  Both problems have only worsened this year.

Before the meeting, I had interviewed Superintendent Randall Booker on the hiring crisis and asked how he was communicating the issues brought up with the Board to the students. He responded, “The administration are doing their best to email parents and students in the affected classes and provide updates.”

I then asked him about alternatives to having substitutes who are unable to teach the classes. In response, he commented that, “The school is looking for any possible part-time teachers until a permanent replacement can be found and in the worst-case scenario, the school is looking at online classes that the students can use through their Chromebooks.”  Mr. Booker’s thoughts reflect the administration’s continued efforts to try and appease parents and students, while finding qualified teachers.

On a more cheerful note, Randall Booker showed the Board a video of the first day of school at all six schools. While without a doubt the elementary school kids were cuter than the high schoolers, the video was heartwarming at every school.

The Board meeting ended with each Board Member adding their personal thoughts on the upcoming school year. Of note was Cory Smegal’s comment on Mr. Booker’s keynote presentation. She complimented him on bringing the teachers, faculty and administration together with his speech on working as one team for the children in the District.

After those comments, the Board adjourned at 8:30, managing to end a half hour early despite the busy schedule and hectic start to the school year.

By Sam Orta, Piedmont High School Senior

Bidding procedures, Council authority regarding Council-hired key employees, candidates for City Council, meeting requirements, etc.

On their November 2018 ballot, Piedmont voters will have two ballot measures, BB and CC, proposing changes to Piedmont’s City Charter.  To become law, changes to the City Charter require a majority of Piedmont voters voting on the measures to approve the measures.  The proposed changes are extensive, ranging from how Piedmont government operates to bidding requirements.

 Arguments for and against the City Charter changes have been filed by proponents and opponents. 

Click below to read the pro and con arguments to be printed in voter information pamphlets. 

~~~~~~~ 

Measure BB – Reduction in bidding requirements,  procedural changes, candidacy for City Council, meeting requirements, etc. 

CHARTER AMENDMENT MEASURE BB “Shall the measure amending the Charter of the City of Piedmont to modify procedures for filling of vacancies in elected offices for City Council and Board of Education for the Piedmont Unified School District, modify term limits for the City Council, and making other clarifying amendments regarding City recordkeeping, format of City ordinances, public posting, City contract approval, operation of City Council meetings, and other minor technical amendments, be adopted?”

• Direct Argument in Favor < In Favor of Measure BB
• Direct Argument Opposed < Opposed to Measure BB
• Rebuttal to Argument in Favor < Opposed to Measure BB
• Rebuttal to Argument Opposed < In Favor of Measure BB

~~~~~~

Measure CC – Eliminates Council authority over  Council-hired key employees  –

CHARTER AMENDMENT MEASURE  CC “Shall the measure amending the Charter of the City of Piedmont to clarify the duties and reporting structure for officers and employees of the City be adopted?”

• Direct Argument in Favor < In Favor of  Measure CC
• Direct Argument Opposed < Opposed to Measure CC
• Rebuttal to Argument in Favor < Opposed to Measure CC
• Rebuttal to Argument Opposed < In Favor of Measure CC

City Charter Measures BB and CC will be on Piedmont November 6, 2018 Ballots.

Updated 8/29/18

During the month of August, the Piedmont Police Department has seen an uptick in the number of package thefts being reported.

Below are some pictures captured by neighborhood video surveillance in the 800 block of Blair Avenue, the 1500 block of Grand Avenue and the 100 block of Sunnyside Avenue, where packages were taken from the front porch of several homes. Vehicles associated with these thefts were a newer blue/grey 4 door hybrid SUV and a white moped/scooter with a black seat.

Police Tips for safe package delivery:

 1-Don’t leave packages out for extended periods of time. Reach out to your neighbors and ask them to bring packages inside.

2-Use an alternate shipping address like work or a friend/relative that you know will be home to receive packages.

3-Choose shipping options that provide for advanced package tracking, allow you to redirect a package, receive detailed updates on estimated delivery time, and send an email or text once your package has been delivered.

4-Install a security camera. Security cameras can deter burglars, keep your packages safer, and help you keep an eye on your home while you’re away. Products like Nest Cam Outdoor and the Ring doorbell are inexpensive ways to increase security.

If you have any information regarding these thefts, contact Piedmont Police Department Detective R. Coffey at 510-420-3015.

AUTO BURGLARY 

On Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at approximately 4:10 AM, the Piedmont Police Department received a phone call from a resident who reported two unknown subjects inside of her neighbor’s vehicle in the 100 block of Bell Avenue.

Piedmont Police Officers responded to the area and detained two adult subjects. The subjects were positively identified as Michael Joseph Vargas (Modesto) and Clay Henson (Berkeley). Both suspects were arrested that day on August 21 for Auto Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, and Possession of Burglary Tools.

A search of the suspect vehicle resulted in locating other stolen property from San Francisco. Both suspects are currently in custody in the Santa Rita Jail.

Suspect Vargas

Suspect Henson

If anyone has any additional information related to this incident, please call Detective Jeff Spranza at (510) 420-3013.

If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the Piedmont Police Department Tip Line at (510) 420-3055. For press inquiries, please contact Captain Chris Monahan at (510) 420-3012.

Piedmont high school is in need of substitute or permanent part or full-time physics teachers.

The following is an excerpt from Principal Adam Littlefield’s email sent to parents.

In the past, Piedmont Unified has attracted qualified candidates, for several reasons: Board Policy allows District employees to enroll their children in Piedmont Schools, high academic expectations, and competitive salary/benefits.

The teacher shortage is real. There are simply not enough credentialed teachers for the jobs that are available. Districts across the Bay Area are all fighting for the same candidates. The cost of living in the Bay Area is extreme.

Over the spring/summer, our district lost eight experienced teachers due to financial hardship/move out-of-state decisions.The District lost three additional teachers due to wanting a shorter commute for either equal or slightly higher of pay.

Teacher pay across the Bay Area (and State) is not keeping up with the cost of living. This is forcing many teachers to look at other professions or to simply leave the Bay Area.

While prospective candidates may want to teach in Piedmont, just a couple of thousand dollars difference in salary can result in a candidate choosing a different district.

I need your help. One of the things I appreciate about the Piedmont community is your resourcefulness. Many of you have connections and some of you may know of prospective physics teachers. While there are credential requirements, there are also allowances for creativity and flexibility. I appreciate you casting a wide net over your friends, colleagues, and acquaintances asking prospective physics teachers to contact me by phone at (510) 594-2625 or email at alittlefield@piedmont.k12.ca.us.

Adam Littlefield, Principal Piedmont High School

The Editorial Board wants our many readers to know the Piedmont Civic Association (PCA) does not endorse, support, or oppose candidates for public office or ballot measures. Opinions expressed are those of the authors.

PCA’s goal is to inform and encourage participation in Piedmont civic matters.

Candidate and ballot measure information is welcomed free on this site.

Information, photos, endorsements, and opinions can be submitted.

PCA Editorial Guidelines do not allow attacks on persons.

“Piedmont’s School Board must make policy that provides for all of our children because that’s what all of them are: our children.”   Julie Caskey spoke to, and listened to over 40 supporters on Sunday (Aug 19), where she outlined her emphasis for seeking election to the School Board. “We have to give all of our kids a chance to shine, not just our athletes and mathletes.  We want to instill in each of them a love of learning and provide a place for each to find the inspiration that speaks to them.”  Piedmont’s Vice Mayor, Teddy King, spoke in support of Julie’s election to the School Board, saying that Julie would be collaborative with our city’s government, reinforcing King’s own efforts to build more coordination between the City and the School District.

Having worked on innumerable volunteer activities, including the PMS and Beach Parent Clubs, the Appreciating Diversity Committee, the PHS Site Council, and currently, the H1 Bond Citizens’ Oversight Committee, Julie is well prepared to take up the formal responsibilities of a School Board member.  If elected, Julie would add to the only two School Board members with children in Piedmont’s schools, and be the only one with children in elementary and middle school.  Bringing a parent’s perspective to the Board, she wants to create more transparency and outreach for new Board initiatives, getting feedback from concerned parents before new policies are put in place.  As she described to her supporters, “Current parents in our schools know their kids, their kid’s teachers, other kids’ teachers, and the staff, those very important people at each school who make it run like it does.”  The School Board needs more of that on-the-ground connection.

Coming from a family of four diverse siblings, and having four distinctive children of her own, Julie wants to ensure that every Piedmont child, whether high ability, or having unusual ways of learning, or is just a regular kid, all of our children should feel welcomed, included, and inspired within our schools.  She wants to make sure that appreciating and accepting diversity of all kinds is unmistakably the guiding charter of our schools.  To Julie, “Students First” means all students.  As a public interest lawyer, Julie Caskey’s professional life has been that of standing up for and defending women, children, and families that have been marginalized, excluded, left behind.

Julie also emphasized her intention to ensure greater oversight, transparency and accountability in the operations of Piedmont’s school system.  Her legal skills of asking questions and investigating, as well as her skills in negotiating and finding mutually acceptable resolution to problems, will provide our School Board with the talent it needs to assure that the Superintendent and administrative staff are responsive to the values of Piedmont’s citizens.  That is the School Board’s job and is the responsibility that Julie is campaigning to carry forward.  As Teddy King mentioned, “Julie is not afraid to stand up for what’s right.”

Abe Boskovitz and Sharon Sagiv, who has served the School District as a former President of PRAISE, the special education support group, hosted the supporters’ gathering because they know Julie and believe in her willingness to take on School Board responsibility.  But before becoming elected, Julie has had to take on a different job, that of a candidate running for the office.  She spends hours, days, and weeks knocking on doors, offering to discuss School Board issues with neighbors, and gathering acquaintances to help her with house parties, writing letters, canvassing and contributing money.  It’s not fun, nor is it the work she really wants to do.  But it is the work that is necessary in order to serve our schools in the way that her skills and talents can really make a difference.

Bruce Joffe, Piedmont Resident