Catherine Crystal Foster conceded to Terry Godfrey on Thursday, November 12th, which solidified Terry and Ken Dauber as the two new members of the Palo Alto Unified School District Board. Catherine ended up in third place, while Gina Dalma, another strong candidate with a deep expertise in public education, came in fourth. Jay Cabrera, a graduate of Gunn High School, finished fifth.
Consistent with their messages throughout the campaign, Terry and Catherine had positive words for the election process and for the other candidates for school board as they closed out their efforts this week.
In a note to her supporters, Terry Godfrey said:
As election season closes, I am grateful to be one of two newly-elected members of the Palo Alto Unified School District Board. I offer a hearty congratulations to the other new board member, Ken Dauber. This is an exciting time for our district. We’re in a position to continue building a student-centered schools where healthy, engaged students are achievin
g their definitions of success. By working together – parents,teachers, administrators and the community – we can help Palo Alto’s public schools do an even better job of supporting, educating and developing our kids…
I’d like to recognize my fellow candidates all of whom brought insight, creativity and thoughtfulness to the discussion of the district’s priorities and direction. I would especially like to thank Catherine Crystal Foster who graciously conceded what has been a close race between us. Her strong intellect and extensive experience coupled with a long commitment to and compassion for our youth make her an asset to the community, and I look forward to working together in the future.
Similarly, Catherine Crystal Foster had words of praise for the other candidates and for the new board in her concession message:
“…I offer my sincere congratulations to Ken and Terry as the new members of our school board. Both Terry and Ke
n will be staunch advocates for our students, and I wish them both the best. I have great regard for the talent and dedication that all the candidates brought to this race. My best to Gina Dalma and Jay Cabrera, as well, who share a commitment to education and will, I’m confident, continue their good work on behalf of students. I look forward to continuing my service to the schools and our students, and will do so in a spirit of collaboration with all our school leaders.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have spent these past six months discussing the future of Palo Alto’s schools with so many in our community. I continue to be energized by you, by the opportunities before us, and by the ambition of our new superintendent.”
It’s a reflection of the strong commitment to public schools in Palo Alto that the 2014 race for PAUSD school board was so close between a field of high quality, experienced candidates. As PAUSD faces new challenges, including how to provide social emotional support for high school youth and the implementation of Common Core curriculum, the District is fortunate to have an infusion of energized leadership through its new board members.
To learn more about where these new PAUSD board members stand on key issues facing PAUSD, check out these resources on Palo Alto Pulse:
